Origin
South Saint Paul, MN
Evening in South Saint Paul on Wednesday
Local time
5:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Saint Paul, MN to Apple Valley, MN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
25m
Distance
18.1 mi
29 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 27m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 27m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Saint Paul, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short 18.1-mile drive from South Saint Paul to Apple Valley in Minnesota is easily manageable in about 25 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused route, with 64% of the journey on major roads like I-35E and I-494. Given its brevity, this trip is perfect as a single-day excursion and doesn't require an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $3, making it an economical option. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entire trip, experiencing a straightforward commute between 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
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
9.1 miles from South Saint Paul, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this journey, with 64% of the drive utilizing interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 6.1 miles on I-35E, offering a consistent pace. You'll navigate through a mix of I-35E, I-494, and Cedar Avenue, providing a dynamic yet efficient drive. The character of the road is geared towards direct travel, prioritizing speed and ease of navigation over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35E is the longest continuous segment at about 6.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35E and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 18.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 25m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.9 mi into trip
|
~9m 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
7.1 mi into trip
|
~10m 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
14 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
14.3 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
14.6 mi into trip
|
~19m 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 South Saint Paul, MN to Apple Valley, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
Saint Paul
6.9 mi in
|
~9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35E | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| I 494 | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Cedar Avenue | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Concord Street North | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| John E Carroll Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Concord Exchange North | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| County Road 42 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 35E
— 6.1 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Saint Paul, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on Concord Exchange North
29 ft
·
2 sec
·
Concord Exchange North
2
Turn right onto CH 14
188 ft
·
9 sec
·
John E Carroll Avenue
3
Turn right onto CH 56
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Concord Street North
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 494 West
5
Merge onto I 494
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
I 494
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35E South: Albert Lea
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35E
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 92
Toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto MN 77
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
CR 42
Trip Plan
With a total duration of only 25 minutes, this short 18.1-mile trip offers great flexibility; you can depart whenever it suits you best. Consider leaving during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on I-35E and I-494. There are no designated stops mentioned, so plan any necessary breaks before you set off or upon arrival in Apple Valley. The estimated fuel cost is just $3, so you won't need to worry extensively about refueling stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 9.1 miles from South Saint Paul, MN, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.1 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.1 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apple Valley, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving South Saint Paul, MN.
Day 1
Settle into the route from South Saint Paul, MN
This is one driving day of about 18.1 miles and 25m.
At 18.1 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 35E for about 6.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.1 mi from South Saint Paul, MN · 13m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.1 miles from South Saint Paul, 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
$2.69 one way
$5.39 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $2.90 | $5.80 |
| premium | $4.53 | $3.23 | $6.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.00 | $7.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.90 | $0.87 |
| Efficient EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.58 | $0.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.53 | $1.16 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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
Evening in Apple Valley on Wednesday
Local time
5:59 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
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
25m 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 South Saint Paul, MN to Apple Valley, MN covers 18.1 miles and takes about 25m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35E, I 494, 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 9.1 miles from South Saint Paul, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.69 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 12 decision points packed into just 18.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 25m.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from South Saint Paul, MN to Apple Valley, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Saint Paul along the way.
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