Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 14m
Distance
59.5 mi
96 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waseca, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Waseca, MN to Apple Valley, MN is 59.5 miles and takes about 1h 14m via I 35 and State Highway 13, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Minnesota, making it a straightforward journey between two familiar areas. Expect a drive that is predominantly on major highways, designed for efficient travel rather than leisurely sightseeing. Given its short duration and focus on well-maintained roads, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a day trip.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 29.7 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 13 | 9 mi | 12m |
| Morristown Boulevard | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| State Highway 60 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| North State Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| 160th Street West | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Highway 60 West | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| 162nd Street West | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Waseca, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
Start on MN 13
Continue on MN 13
Turn right onto MN 60
Continue on MN 60
Continue on MN 60; I 35 ALT
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35
Take the exit
Turn left onto CR 46
Continue on CR 46
Continue on CR 46
Turn left onto CR 23
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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.
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 29.8 miles from Waseca, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 58.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto MN 60 / State Highway 60
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 35 North: Minneapolis
Navigation decision point
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CR 46
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto CR 23 / Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$8.85 one way
$17.71 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $9.54 | $19.08 |
| premium | $4.53 | $10.62 | $21.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.14 | $26.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.25 | $2.86 |
| Efficient EV | 14.9 | 0 | $5.21 | $2.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.33 | $3.81 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Waseca on Saturday
Local time
3:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Afternoon in Apple Valley on Saturday
Local time
3:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
30°F
Mostly Clear
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 76% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 35 and State Highway 13. You'll experience a significant stretch of 29.7 miles on I 35, offering a consistent pace. The route begins with some local roads like Morristown Boulevard before merging onto the interstate system. The character of the drive is largely about making good time, with the majority of the miles on high-speed, well-traveled highways designed for direct travel between points.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and State Highway 13. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near MN 60 / State Highway 60.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Waseca, MN to Apple Valley, MN is easy. At 1h 14m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.7 miles (MN 60 / State Highway 60): Navigation decision point; at 24.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 25.3 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Waseca, MN to Apple Valley, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 46 along the way.
Cr 46
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 14m. Total distance: 59.5 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 (76%). Straightforward navigation.
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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