Origin
Sauk Centre, MN
Night in Sauk Centre on Friday
Local time
11:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sauk Centre, MN to Maple Grove, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
93.6 mi
151 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 57m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sauk Centre, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Maple Grove, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 93.6-mile drive from Sauk Centre, MN to Maple Grove, MN is an easy one-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes. Primarily on Interstate highways, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest region. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it's an economical option for a quick excursion. You'll spend nearly all your time on highways, making it a highly efficient way to cover the distance without significant detours. This route is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing you ample time to reach your destination without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
46.8 miles from Sauk Centre, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 93.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 93.6-mile trip, with 97% of the journey on interstates. The majority of your travel will be on I-94, including an uninterrupted stretch of 89.6 miles. This means you'll be covering ground efficiently with minimal slowdowns. While it's predominantly interstate driving, the transition onto I-494 and then Main Street South will introduce slight changes in the road's pace as you approach your destination. The character is largely about consistent, steady progress.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 89.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 494. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Sauk Centre, MN to Maple Grove, MN is easy. At 1h 42m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 94 East: St. Cloud
Navigation decision point
Toward I 94 East: St. Cloud
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
91.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
7
92.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
6
93.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Turn right onto CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 89.6 mi | 1h 36m |
| I 494 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Main Street South | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Main St S | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Sinclair Lewis Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 89.6 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sauk Centre, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on CR 17
147 ft
·
6 sec
·
Sinclair Lewis Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 71; MN 28
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street South
3
Continue on US 71; MN 28
523 ft
·
17 sec
·
Main St S
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 94 East: St. Cloud
5
Merge onto I 94
90 mi
·
1 hr 36 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 494
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 494
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto CR 10
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the right lane.
10
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 42 minutes, this trip is best tackled in one go, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. There are no specific recommended stops built into this route, so plan your breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major road change is almost 90 miles on I-94, so ensure you're fueled up before embarking on that segment. The $13 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in potential traffic delays, especially as you near Maple Grove.
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 46.8 miles from Sauk Centre, MN, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.6 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 21 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.8 miles or 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maple Grove, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sauk Centre, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sauk Centre, MN
This is one driving day of about 93.6 miles and 1h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Sauk Centre, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 89.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.8 mi from Sauk Centre, MN · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.8 miles from Sauk Centre, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.6 miles.
Arriving in Maple Grove, MN
The final approach into Maple Grove, 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
$13.93 one way
$27.86 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $15.01 | $30.02 |
| premium | $4.53 | $16.70 | $33.40 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.67 | $41.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.1 | 0 | $9.83 | $4.49 |
| Efficient EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.19 | $3.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.10 | $5.99 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Maple Grove, MN
Night in Maple Grove on Friday
Local time
11:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
22 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
1h 42m 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 Sauk Centre, MN to Maple Grove, MN covers 93.6 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 494, Main Street South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.8 miles from Sauk Centre, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.93 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 Sauk Centre, MN to Maple Grove, MN is easy. At 1h 42m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Sauk Centre, MN to Maple Grove, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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