Apple Valley, MN Road Trips
Sitting in the Midwest, Apple Valley, MN is a convenient base with 6 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Most drives stay under 105 miles, making this area well-suited for day trips and weekend getaways. Most routes from Apple Valley, MN head north, giving the route network a clear directional lean.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
6
Longest Drive
219.1 mi
Detroit Lakes, MN
Quickest Drive
58m
Delano, MN
Plan Around Apple Valley, MN
Continue From Apple Valley, MN
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Apple Valley, MN
Driving from Apple Valley, MN
The typical drive from Apple Valley, MN covers about 105 miles and takes around 2h 8m. The majority of routes are short drives — quick enough to finish before lunch and be back for dinner. The longest mapped route runs 219 miles (4h 17m), while the shortest is just 45 miles.
Popular Destinations
Drivers leaving Apple Valley, MN most often head toward Detroit Lakes, MN (219.1 mi, 4h 17m), Grand Rapids, MN (197 mi, 4h 5m), Becker, MN (66.6 mi, 1h 21m), Elk River, MN (52.2 mi, 1h 4m), and Otsego, MN (50.8 mi, 1h 4m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in MN currently averages around $3.57 per gallon. For the typical 105-mile trip from Apple Valley, MN, budget about $15 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
With an average drive under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility — leave whenever it suits you. Routes mostly head north. Summer trips benefit from long daylight hours, while winter departures should start early to maximize visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 6 mapped routes leaving Apple Valley, MN and 0 routes heading into Apple Valley, MN, covering 6 total connections. Distances range from 45 to 219 miles.
The longest mapped route from Apple Valley, MN covers 219 miles and takes approximately 4h 17m. Shorter options start at just 45 miles.
The average route from Apple Valley, MN runs about 105 miles with a drive time of roughly 2h 8m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.57/gallon for regular), the average 105-mile trip from Apple Valley, MN costs roughly $15 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Apple Valley, MN include Detroit Lakes, MN, Grand Rapids, MN, Becker, MN and Elk River, MN. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Apple Valley, MN by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
55,696
Median Income
$99,277
Median Home Value
$354,200
Median Age
37.0
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Apple Valley, MN at a Glance
Founded
1860
Elevation
948 ft
Area
18 mi²
Notable People from Apple Valley, MN
A sampling of people born in Apple Valley, MN.
Dan Sexton
1987
American ice hockey player
Tre Jones
2000
American basketball player
Kristina Koznick
1975
American alpine skier
David Fischer
1988
American ice hockey player
Mike Carman
1988
American ice hockey player
City data from Wikidata (Q621377), available under CC0. Photos from Wikimedia Commons under their respective licenses. See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Apple Valley, MN
Apple Valley, a relatively-modern suburban community at the southern edge of Minnesota's Twin Cities region, is far enough from the city to have plenty of open space to host parkland, a golf course and the state's expansive zoological gardens while remaining close enough to allow easy access to Minneapolis and its big-city amenities.
Apple Valley (population 56,000 in 2021) is an outer suburb located on the southern edge of the Twin Cities, south of Minneapolis-St. Paul's international airport and the Mall of America. The city was named for Apple Valley, California by developers who started building in then-rural Lebanon Township in 1969. The state of Minnesota constructed the 485-acre zoo in 1978.
1 Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Boulevard, ☏ +1 952-431-9200, toll-free: +1-800-366-7811. 9AM-4PM daily except Thanksgiving/Christmas, 9AM-6PM in high season. This nationally-recognised zoo, established by the state in 1978 as the primary local attraction and "wildest place in the Twin Cities", includes 2500 animals on 485 acres. Themed walking trails range from one to two miles in length. Exhibits are divided by climate, not species, into six themed areas including a Tropics Trail (animals from rain forests and tropical habitats), a Northern Trail (large animals from the world's cold climates, such as musk ox) and a Minnesota Trail (Minnesota native animals including black bears, wolves, wolverines and a beaver pond). There are monkeys, penguins and an aquarium. Extra charge applies for IMAX and the Conservation Carousel ride. Restaurant, souvenir shop, live music venue on-site. 24-hour information line: +1 952-431-9500. $18, $12 students/seniors, parking $7/car.
1 Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Rd, Eagan, ☏ +1 651-554-6530. Forests, grasslands, marshes and wetlands. Largest park in Dakota County. Hiking and mountain biking. Canoeing, kayaking, swimming, camping and horseback riding in summer; skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and ice fishing in winter. 2 Valleywood Golf Course, 4851 McAndrews Rd., ☏ +1 952-953-2323. sunrise-sunset daily, seasonal. 18 holes on 190 acres, banquet space, full scale bar, restaurant and outdoor patio, Valleywood Grill (+1 952-953-2335), pro shop (+1 952-953-2323), lessons. Apple Valley Freedom Days. July 4th. One of the area's biggest parades, includes local marching bands and a fireworks display. Apple Valley Winter Carnival. February. Ice skating, contests and children's events.
1 Bogart's Place, 14917 Garrett Ave, ☏ +1 952-432-1515. Main Street grill, tavern, event space. 2 Egg Roll King, 15100 Cedar Ave Ste 203 (Southport Centre), ☏ +1 952-431-2233, fax: +1 952-431-3588. Tu-Su 11AM-5:30PM, closed M. Chinese fast food, delivery within 5 mile radius. 3 Panino Brothers, 15322 Galaxie Ave, ☏ +1 952-378-4095. 11AM–2AM. Sandwiches and draft beer. 4 Taste of Thaiyai, 7705 147th St W, ☏ +1 952-431-4144. Locally-owned authentic Thai restaurant. (updated Mar 2020) 5 Osaka (Osaka Seafood & Stakehouse), 7537 West 149th Street, Suite A, ☏ +1 952-432-6155. A hibachi grill, where teppanyaki chefs put on a show, with many daily specials. (updated Mar 2020) 6 Satay 2 Go, 6670 150th St W #103, ☏ +1 952-891-8551. As basic Asian spot. Red-bean buns, Japanese pizza, rice noodles and satay are among the options. (updated Mar 2020) Vivo Kitchen, 15435 Founders Ln, ☏ +1 952-891-8808. Seasonal menu of eclectic American small plates and mains. (updated Mar 2020) Darbar India Grill, 14871 Granada Ave, ☏ +1 952-953-6403. Authentic Indian cuisine. (updated Mar 2020) Hawaii Poke Bowl, 7594 150th St W, ☏ +1 952-388-1862. Poke technique originates from Hawaii, fusing fresh diced fish with rice, veggies, and an array of other delicious toppings. Customize your bowl or choose menu options. (updated Mar 2020) Valley Diner, 15322 Galaxie Ave, ☏ +1 952-698-1810. Home-cooked food (updated Mar 2020) El Azteca, 6670 150th St W, ☏ +1 952-432-3727. Authentic Mexican food (updated Mar 2020) Costa Vida, 15678 Pilot Knob Rd, #130, ☏ +1 952-595-6333.
1 Rascal's Bar & Grill, 7721 147th St W, ☏ +1 952-431-7777. Dining: Su 10AM–10PM, M 3–10PM, Tu-Sa 11AM–10PM; bar closes 1AM. Burgers, seafood & steak. 2 Wild Bills Sports Saloon, 15020 Glazier Ave, ☏ +1 952-432-2455. 11AM–2AM. Crooked Pint Ale House, 7083 153rd St W. A nouveau urban pub with the feel of a local neighborhood restaurant, featuring 32 craft beers on tap and 28 wines on tap (using a nitrogen preservation system). (updated Mar 2020) Celts Craft House, 7083 153rd St W, ☏ +1 952-683-1533. Craft beer and hand-crafted cocktails. (updated Mar 2020)
1 AmericInn, 15000 Glazier Ave, ☏ +1 952-431-3800. Indoor pool, sauna, Wi-Fi, parking. Hot breakfast included. $110-145. 2 GrandStay Hotel, 7083 153rd St W., ☏ +1 952-953-6111. All-suite hotel, airport shuttle. Breakfast buffet included $130-150.
Interstate Highway 35E is the main road into Apple Valley from St. Paul; 35W forks at Burnsville to reach Minneapolis. Highway 77 from Minneapolis-St. Paul airport becomes Cedar Avenue (County Road 23) in the northern part of Apple Valley. County Road 42 runs east into Apple Valley from the Interstate highways. 1 Minnesota Valley Transit, Apple Valley Transit Station, 15450 Cedar Ave S (south of Apple Valley Square mall), ☏ +1 952-431-5189. Several weekday commuter bus routes to Minneapolis and St. Paul; the Red Line reaches the Mall of America. Parking, bicycle storage, info, washrooms.
Apple Valley & Rosemount Taxi, ☏ +1 952-250-1100.
Travel tips adapted from Apple Valley (Minnesota) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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