Origin
Oak Park Heights, MN
Afternoon in Oak Park Heights on Thursday
Local time
4:25 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Park Heights, MN to Apple Valley, MN
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
51m
Distance
38.4 mi
62 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 52m
8 AM
1h 0m
10 AM
0h 55m
12 PM
0h 54m
3 PM
0h 55m
5 PM
1h 0m
8 PM
0h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Park Heights, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Oak Park Heights, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 38.4 miles and takes about 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 494, MN 95, I 35E for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 12.2 miles on I 494. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.71 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 51m. Total distance: 38.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 51m highway drive covering 38.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 494 and MN 95. The longest continuous stretch is about 12.2 miles on I 494.
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.
I 494 is the longest continuous segment at about 12.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 494 and MN 95. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 38.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
14.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 694 North, I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 249
Toward I 694 North, I 494 South
7
14.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 494 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 494 South
8
27.1 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Albert Lea, Saint Paul
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 70
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Albert Lea, Sa...
7
27.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Albert Lea
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Albert Lea
7
34.2 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 92
Toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Oak Park Heights, MN to Apple Valley, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
27.1 mi in
|
~36m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 | 12.2 mi | 15m |
| MN 95 | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| I 35E | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Cedar Avenue | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Saint Croix Trail North | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Minnesota Street South | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| 3rd Street North | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| 56th Street North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 494
— 12.2 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Park Heights, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on this road
45 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 57th Street North
196 ft
·
10 sec
·
57th Street North
3
Turn right onto Penfield Avenue North
407 ft
·
18 sec
·
Penfield Avenue North
4
Turn right onto CH 23
328 ft
·
13 sec
·
Stagecoach Trail North
5
Turn left onto CH 21
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
56th Street North
6
Turn right onto MN 95
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Croix Trail North
7
Continue on MN 95
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
3rd Street North
8
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 95
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Minnesota Street South
9
Continue on MN 95
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Saint Croix Trail North
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the ramp onto MN 95
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
MN 95
Toward I 94 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 249
Toward I 694 North, I 494 South
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 494 South
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on I 494
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 494
Use the straight lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 70
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Albert Lea, Saint Paul
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35E South: Albert Lea
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 35E
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 92
Toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Merge onto MN 77
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
CR 42
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.2 mi from Oak Park Heights, MN · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.2 miles from Oak Park Heights, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apple Valley, MN
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Apple Valley, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.71 one way
$11.43 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $6.16 | $12.32 |
| premium | $4.53 | $6.85 | $13.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.48 | $16.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.03 | $1.84 |
| Efficient EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.36 | $1.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.38 | $2.46 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
4:25 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
51m 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 Park Heights, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 38.4 miles and takes about 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 494, MN 95, I 35E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.2 miles from Oak Park Heights, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.71 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 short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 38.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 51m.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 27.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Oak Park Heights, MN to Apple Valley, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
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