Origin
Oak Grove, MN
Afternoon in Oak Grove on Thursday
Local time
3:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Grove, MN to Apple Valley, MN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
48.9 mi
79 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 8m
★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 25m
8 PM
1h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Grove, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Oak Grove, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 48.9 miles and takes about 1h 14m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cedar Avenue South, Hanson Boulevard Northwest, I 94 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 11.6 miles on Cedar Avenue South. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.28 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 14m. Total distance: 48.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (41%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Oak Grove, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 48.9 miles and takes about 1h 14m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cedar Avenue South is the longest continuous segment at about 11.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 48.9 miles you will encounter 25 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: at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
17.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward MN 252 South: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward MN 252 South: Minneapolis
7
30.2 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 233B
Toward I 35W South
8
34.9 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the exit toward MN 62 East, MN 62 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11
Toward MN 62 East, MN 62 West
9
35.6 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MN 62 East, CR 35: Portland Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward MN 62 East, CR 35: Portland Avenue
8
35.8 mi into trip
|
~57m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MN 62 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward MN 62 East
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Avenue South | 11.6 mi | 14m |
| Hanson Boulevard Northwest | 8.1 mi | 12m |
| I 94 | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| I 35W | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| MN 252 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| MN-610 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| US 10 | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| Flamingo Street Northwest | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Cedar Avenue South
— 11.6 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Grove, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on this road
135 ft
·
15 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Xavis Street Northwest
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Xavis Street Northwest
3
At end of road, turn left onto 201st Avenue Northwest
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
201st Avenue Northwest
4
Turn right onto Uplander Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Uplander Street Northwest
5
Continue on 197th Avenue Northwest
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
197th Avenue Northwest
6
Turn right onto Nightingale Street Northwest
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Nightingale Street Northwest
7
At end of road, turn left onto CR 22
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Viking Boulevard Northwest
8
Turn right onto CR 78
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Flamingo Street Northwest
9
Continue on CR 78
8.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Hanson Boulevard Northwest
Use the left / uturn / straight lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto US 10; MN 47
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 10; MN 47
12
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 47
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
MN 47
Use the slight right lane.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward MN 610: Minneapolis
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto MN 610
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
MN-610
15
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 9
Toward MN 252 South: Minneapolis
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on MN 252
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
MN 252
Use the left lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 94 East: Minneapolis
18
Merge onto I 94
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 233B
Toward I 35W South
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto MN 65
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
MN 65
Toward I-35W South
22
Merge onto I 35W
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 11
Toward MN 62 East, MN 62 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward MN 62 East, MN 62 West, CR 35: Portland Avenue, Lyndale Avenue
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward MN 62 East, CR 35: Portland Avenue
Use the slight left lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward MN 62 East
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto MN 62
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward MN 77 South
Use the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto MN 77
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Cedar Avenue South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
CR 42
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.4 mi from Oak Grove, MN · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.4 miles from Oak Grove, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apple Valley, MN
The final approach into Apple Valley, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.28 one way
$14.55 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $7.84 | $15.68 |
| premium | $4.53 | $8.72 | $17.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.80 | $21.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.13 | $2.35 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.28 | $1.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.85 | $3.13 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Apple Valley, MN
Afternoon in Apple Valley on Thursday
Local time
3:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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
1h 14m 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 Oak Grove, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 48.9 miles and takes about 1h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cedar Avenue South, Hanson Boulevard Northwest, I 94. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.4 miles from Oak Grove, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.28 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 48.9 miles you will encounter 25 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: at 17.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Oak Grove, MN to Apple Valley, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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