Origin
Maple Grove, MN
Afternoon in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maple Grove, MN to Saint Paul, MN
Drive Time
31m
Distance
27.3 mi
44 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 29m
★
6 AM
0h 32m
8 AM
0h 37m
10 AM
0h 34m
12 PM
0h 33m
3 PM
0h 34m
5 PM
0h 37m
8 PM
0h 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
Saint Paul, MN
Thomas Parker
Trip Overview
If you are traveling from Maple Grove to Saint Paul, you are looking at a quick 27.3-mile journey across the Minnesota landscape. Expect to spend about 31 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stops. Your route primarily utilizes I-94 East, I-494 North, and the Voyageur Highway to connect these two Midwest hubs. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, the drive is highly economical for a quick commute or local excursion. Because the trip is short and straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single morning or afternoon. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Minnesota cities.
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
13.6 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise on this route. While you will navigate sections of I-94 and I-494, the trip features zero percent highway share in terms of long-haul stretches, meaning you will experience a more technical pace. You will find no long, uninterrupted segments, as the longest stretch on I-494 North is effectively zero miles. The road’s personality is defined by constant transitions between local thoroughfares and major connectors. Be prepared to keep your focus on the road, as the frequent turns keep the drive feeling active from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 494 North is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Maple Grove, MN to Saint Paul, MN is easy. At 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Maple Grove, MN to Saint Paul, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 94 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Voyageur Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 10 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 10th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 10th Street East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Robert Street North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Kellogg Boulevard East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 494 North
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on Bass Lake Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bass Lake Road
2
Turn left onto I 494 North
315 ft
·
10 sec
·
I 494 North
3
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 North
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 494 North
4
Merge slight left
1.0 mi
·
1 min
5
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 East, I 694 East
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 94 East, I 694 East
6
Merge slight left
6.3 mi
·
7 min
7
Keep slight left
12 mi
·
12 min
8
Keep slight right to continue on Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Voyageur Highway
9
Keep slight left to continue on US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
10
Take the exit slight right toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
10th Street, Wacouta Street
11
Keep slight right to continue on 10th Street
410 ft
·
10 sec
·
10th Street
12
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
10th Street East
13
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Robert Street North
14
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard East
15
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
164 ft
·
6 sec
·
Wabasha Street North
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 31-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily fit this drive into a busy schedule without needing to plan for meal breaks or rest stops, as the total duration is quite short. Keep in mind that the route relies on shifting between different road types, so stay alert for changing speed limits and signage as you transition between the Voyageur Highway and the interstate system. To make the most of your $4 fuel budget, check local traffic reports before you leave to ensure you aren't idling in heavy congestion. This short distance is best handled as a direct run, allowing you to reach your destination in Saint Paul quickly and efficiently.
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 13.6 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 16m into the drive.
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 27.3 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.6 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Paul, 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 27.3 miles and 31m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.6 mi from Maple Grove, MN · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 27.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.6 miles from Maple Grove, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Saint Paul, MN
The final approach into Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, 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
$3.90 one way
$7.81 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $4.21 | $8.43 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.72 | $9.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $6.07 | $12.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.2 | 0 | $2.87 | $1.31 |
| Efficient EV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.82 | $1.75 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Saint Paul, MN
Afternoon in Saint Paul on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°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
1 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
31m 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 Saint Paul, MN covers 27.3 miles and takes about 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 494 North, I 94 East, Voyageur Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.6 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 $3.90 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.
The drive from Maple Grove, MN to Saint Paul, MN is easy. At 31m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Maple Grove, MN to Saint Paul, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Maple Grove, MN to Saint Paul, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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