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 Detroit Lakes, MN
Drive Time
3h 37m
Distance
186.7 mi
301 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 25m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 44m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maple Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Detroit Lakes, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Maple Grove to Detroit Lakes, you are looking at a straightforward 186.7-mile journey through the heart of Minnesota. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 37 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via I-94 and US 10, with a small portion of the route utilizing 165th Avenue Southeast. Budgeting around $27 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since the entire drive stays within the Midwest, the transition from the suburban outskirts of the Twin Cities to the lake-rich landscape of Detroit Lakes is consistent and predictable. It is a highly manageable drive that allows for a quick getaway without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
93.4 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by a heavy focus on highway travel, with 96% of your time spent on major routes. You will settle into a steady rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 156.1 miles along US 10. While the drive is efficient and designed for making good time, the transition between interstate speeds and highway cruising requires consistent attention. You can expect a reliable, highway-focused experience that prioritizes direct movement over winding backroads. As you progress toward your destination, the road environment remains functional and consistent, allowing you to maintain a steady pace throughout the entire 186.7-mile corridor.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 156.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. You will hit about 14 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
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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.
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
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 494 North
8
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
6
142.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 156.1 mi | 3h |
| I 94 | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| I 494 | 1 mi | 1m |
| Pine Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| County Road 11 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 156.1 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove, MN and Detroit Lakes, 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 left at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 94
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
9
Turn right onto MN 25
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pine Street
10
Continue on MN 25
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
State Highway 25
11
Turn left onto County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
·
County Road 11
12
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
13
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
14
Turn left onto US 10
54 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 10
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
38 mi
·
42 min
·
US 10
16
Turn straight onto US 10; MN 210
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 10; MN 210
17
Continue on US 10; IC A
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 10; IC A
18
Turn slight right
67 ft
·
2 sec
19
Enter roundabout
100 ft
·
1 sec
20
Continue
96 ft
·
1 sec
21
Turn straight onto US 10
44 mi
·
51 min
·
US 10
22
Turn left onto CR 22
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Washington Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
CR 22
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time, though leaving early can help you avoid any potential congestion near the Maple Grove area. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh during the 3-hour and 37-minute drive. Because nearly the entire route is highway-based, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the long 156.1-mile stretch of US 10 where services may be more spaced out. Packing snacks and water beforehand is a smart move to keep your momentum going without needing frequent exits. By keeping your pace steady and utilizing your single planned stop effectively, you can reach Detroit Lakes feeling refreshed and ready for your arrival.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93.4 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.1 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 93.4 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit Lakes, 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 186.7 miles and 3h 37m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 156.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 93.4 mi from Maple Grove, MN · 1h 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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 93.4 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 US 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.1 miles.
Arriving in Detroit Lakes, MN
The final approach into Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.70 one way
$53.41 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $28.82 | $57.64 |
| premium | $4.39 | $32.28 | $64.57 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.48 | $82.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56 | 0 | $19.60 | $8.96 |
| Efficient EV | 46.7 | 0 | $16.34 | $7.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.7 | 0 | $26.14 | $11.95 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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
Detroit Lakes, MN
Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday
Local time
3:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
93 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
1 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
3h 37m 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 Detroit Lakes, MN covers 186.7 miles and takes about 3h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, I 94, 165th Avenue Southeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 93.4 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 $26.70 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 186.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Maple Grove, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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