Origin
Maple Grove, MN
Afternoon in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maple Grove, MN to Clara City, MN
Drive Time
2h 22m
Distance
108.3 mi
174 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
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 trip from Maple Grove to Clara City, expect a straightforward journey covering 108.3 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 2 hours and 22 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Budgeting around $15 for fuel should cover your travel expenses for the one-way trek. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your time on the road. Because the route is compact and direct, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, whether you are heading out for a quick business task or a short visit. It is a practical, no-fuss connection across Minnesota that keeps your travel time efficient.
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
54.2 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 84% of your journey spent on major thoroughfares. You will rely heavily on MN 7 and Minnesota State Highway 7 to navigate the distance, keeping your pace steady and predictable. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a 68-mile run on MN 7, which allows for consistent cruising once you clear the initial departure area. While you will navigate some local segments like 195th Avenue, the transition between these roads is simple. Expect a functional, efficient experience behind the wheel that prioritizes direct travel over complex navigation or technical driving.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MN 7 is the longest continuous segment at about 68 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 7 and 195th Avenue. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 10 / Bass Lake Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 108.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 10 / Bass Lake Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Depart onto CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 494 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 494 South
8
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 South
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 494
Merge onto I 494
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
10.1 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward MN 7 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16B
Toward MN 7 West
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 7 | 68 mi | 1h 28m |
| 195th Avenue | 15.9 mi | 19m |
| Minnesota State Highway 7 | 13.2 mi | 18m |
| I 494 | 9.3 mi | 11m |
| Main Street South | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 1st Avenue Southwest | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MN 7
— 68 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove, MN and Clara City, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the none lane.
2
Take the ramp
293 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 494 South
Use the right lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 494
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
I 494
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 16B
Toward MN 7 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto MN 7
13 mi
·
18 min
·
Minnesota State Highway 7
Use the none lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
132 ft
·
2 sec
·
MN 7
8
Continue on MN 7
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
MN 7
Use the none lane.
9
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
151 ft
·
2 sec
·
MN 7
10
Continue on MN 7
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
MN 7
11
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
163 ft
·
2 sec
·
MN 7
12
Continue on MN 7
9.0 mi
·
11 min
·
MN 7
13
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
120 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 7
14
Continue on MN 7
51 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
MN 7
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
154 ft
·
2 sec
·
195th Avenue
16
Continue on MN 7
16 mi
·
19 min
·
195th Avenue
17
Turn right onto CR 2
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street South
18
Turn left onto MN 23
54 ft
·
1 sec
·
1st Avenue Southwest
19
Arrive at destination
MN 23
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure to avoid peak traffic times around the Maple Grove area. You won't need to plan for any formal stops given the manageable 2 hour and 22 minute duration, but keeping a water bottle and snacks handy is always a good practice. Before you head out, make sure your fuel tank is ready, as the $15 cost estimate assumes a direct trip. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition off the 68-mile stretch of MN 7, as road conditions may shift when you arrive in Clara City. Use the simplicity of this route to your benefit by keeping your itinerary flexible and stress-free.
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 54.2 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68 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 80 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.2 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clara 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 108.3 miles and 2h 22m.
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 MN 7 for about 68 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.2 mi from Maple Grove, MN · 1h 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.2 miles from Maple Grove, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MN 7 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68 miles.
Arriving in Clara City, MN
The final approach into Clara 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 Clara 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
$15.49 one way
$30.98 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $16.72 | $33.44 |
| premium | $4.39 | $18.73 | $37.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.06 | $48.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.37 | $5.20 |
| Efficient EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.48 | $4.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.16 | $6.93 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Clara City, MN
Afternoon in Clara City on Sunday
Local time
3:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
38°F
Albertville, MN
54 mi in
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
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 22m 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 Clara City, MN covers 108.3 miles and takes about 2h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MN 7, 195th Avenue, Minnesota State Highway 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.2 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 $15.49 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 108.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 10 / Bass Lake Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Maple Grove, MN to Clara City, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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