Origin
Oakdale, MN
Afternoon in Oakdale on Wednesday
Local time
12:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oakdale, MN to Apple Valley, MN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
32m
Distance
24.7 mi
40 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 30m
★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 38m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 34m
3 PM
0h 35m
5 PM
0h 38m
8 PM
0h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oakdale, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This quick 24.7-mile journey from Oakdale, MN to Apple Valley, MN is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 32 minutes to complete. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with Interstate 494 and Interstate 35E forming the backbone of your drive, supplemented by Cedar Avenue. With a highway share of 77%, expect a focused driving experience rather than a leisurely cruise. The estimated fuel cost for this short trip is a modest $4, making it an economical option for getting between these two Midwest locations within Minnesota. No overnight stays are recommended for this efficient drive.
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
12.3 miles from Oakdale, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive is decidedly highway-focused, with 77% of the 24.7 miles on major interstates. You'll experience a significant stretch of 12.2 miles on I 494, offering a consistent, fast-paced journey. While primarily interstate, the inclusion of Cedar Avenue suggests a brief transition to a more arterial road as you approach your destination. Expect a straightforward driving experience with minimal complexity, characterized by efficient travel through the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 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 I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 24.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
13.4 mi into trip
|
~17m 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
13.7 mi into trip
|
~17m 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
20.5 mi into trip
|
~25m 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
7
20.8 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
7
21.2 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MN 77 South: 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 Oakdale, MN to Apple Valley, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
13.4 mi in
|
~17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 | 12.2 mi | 15m |
| I 35E | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Cedar Avenue | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| I 694 | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| 10th Street North | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| County Road 42 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
I 494
— 12.2 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oakdale, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on CH 10
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
10th Street North
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 694 South
Use the right lane.
3
Merge onto I 694
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 694
4
Continue on I 494
8.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 494
Use the straight lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35E South: Albert Lea
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35E
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 92
Toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto MN 77
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
CR 42
Trip Plan
Given its short 32-minute duration and 24.7-mile length, this trip offers maximum flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience without needing to plan for extended stops. The main roads, including I 494 and I 35E, are well-maintained, but be aware of potential rush hour traffic delays in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. With a fuel cost of only $4, refueling is unlikely to be a concern during the drive itself. A specific tip: since the longest uninterrupted stretch is 12.2 miles on I 494, keep an eye on your GPS for any unexpected lane changes needed as you approach your exit for Apple Valley.
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 12.3 miles from Oakdale, MN, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 12.2 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 24.7 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.3 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apple Valley, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Oakdale, 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 Oakdale, MN
This is one driving day of about 24.7 miles and 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Oakdale, 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 I 494 for about 12.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.3 mi from Oakdale, MN · 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 24.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.3 miles from Oakdale, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Apple Valley, 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
$3.68 one way
$7.35 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $3.96 | $7.92 |
| premium | $4.53 | $4.41 | $8.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.45 | $10.91 |
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: 8.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.59 | $1.19 |
| Efficient EV | 6.2 | 0 | $2.16 | $0.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.46 | $1.58 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (67% 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 Wednesday
Local time
12:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°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
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
32m 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 Oakdale, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 24.7 miles and takes about 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 494, I 35E, Cedar Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12.3 miles from Oakdale, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.68 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 demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 24.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Oakdale, MN to Apple Valley, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
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