Origin
Maple Grove, MN
Afternoon in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maple Grove, MN to Chisago City, MN
Drive Time
52m
Distance
44.2 mi
71 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 48m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maple Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Maple Grove to Chisago City, you are looking at a straightforward 44.2-mile trek through the Minnesota Midwest. Expect to spend about 52 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You will spend the majority of your time on I-35W and I-694 before transitioning onto Lake Boulevard to complete your journey. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $6, this route is as economical as it is efficient. Since the entire drive stays within the same region, you won't need to worry about complex navigation or overnight planning. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from A to B without the hassle of a long-haul commute.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
22.1 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of your time spent navigating major thoroughfares. You will face a longest uninterrupted stretch of 19.8 miles while cruising along I-35W, which sets the tone for a fast-paced start. As you move away from the interstate system and transition toward Lake Boulevard, the character of the road shifts from high-speed transit to local thoroughfares. While the drive is largely functional, the mix of interstate efficiency and secondary road navigation keeps the experience from feeling purely monotonous. You can expect a consistent flow of traffic as you transition between these different classes of roadway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35W is the longest continuous segment at about 19.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and Lake Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 44.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn left toward I 494 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 494 North
8
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 East, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 East, I 694 East
6
8.8 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
15.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 41B
Toward I 35W North
6
18.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35W | 19.8 mi | 21m |
| Lake Boulevard | 9 mi | 11m |
| I 694 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| I 94 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| I 494 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35W
— 19.8 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove, MN and Chisago City, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the none lane.
2
Turn left
316 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 494 North
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 494 North
4
Merge onto I 494
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 494
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 94 East, I 694 East
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 94; I 694
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I 94; I 694
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 694
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 41B
Toward I 35W North
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35W
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35W
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 35W
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 8
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
Lake Boulevard
Toward US 8: Taylors Falls
12
Arrive at destination
US 8
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 52-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 44.2-mile distance without needing a formal rest stop, allowing you to reach your destination in one go. Keep your $6 fuel estimate in mind, as filling up before you leave Maple Grove will ensure you don't have to worry about stops along the highway. Since the route relies heavily on major infrastructure like I-35W and I-694, check local traffic reports before you head out to avoid any unexpected congestion. Prioritizing a departure during off-peak hours will help you maintain a smooth, steady pace for the duration of your trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 22.1 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 44.2 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.1 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chisago City, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maple Grove, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Maple Grove, MN
This is one driving day of about 44.2 miles and 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Maple Grove, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35W for about 19.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.1 mi from Maple Grove, MN · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 44.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.1 miles from Maple Grove, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chisago City, MN
The final approach into Chisago City, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Chisago City, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.32 one way
$12.64 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $6.82 | $13.65 |
| premium | $4.39 | $7.64 | $15.29 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.82 | $19.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.3 | 0 | $4.64 | $2.12 |
| Efficient EV | 11.1 | 0 | $3.87 | $1.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.19 | $2.83 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Chisago City, MN
Afternoon in Chisago City on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
52m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Maple Grove, MN to Chisago City, MN covers 44.2 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35W, Lake Boulevard, I 694. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.1 miles from Maple Grove, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 44.2 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Maple Grove, MN to Chisago City, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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