Origin
Afton, MN
Late night in Afton on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Afton, MN to Maple Grove, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
59m
Distance
46.1 mi
74 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Afton, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Maple Grove, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 46.1 miles across the Minnesota landscape, this drive from Afton to Maple Grove is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 59 minutes. Because the trip is short, you can easily complete it as a single-day excursion without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $7 on fuel, making this an affordable transit between the eastern edge of the state and the northwestern suburbs. You will primarily navigate via Saint Croix Trail South, I-494, and I-694. This route is best viewed as a practical connection through the Midwest rather than a scenic getaway, offering a reliable path for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 694 | 29.9 mi | 37m |
| Saint Croix Trail South | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| I 494 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Saint Croix Trail North | 1 mi | 1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Afton Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 694
— 29.9 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Afton, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on CH 18
80 ft
·
7 sec
·
Afton Boulevard
2
Turn left onto CH 18; CH 21
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Saint Croix Trail South
Use the straight lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
99 ft
·
1 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail South
4
Continue on CH 18
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail South
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
6
Continue on CH 18
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
Use the straight lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
116 ft
·
2 sec
·
Saint Croix Trail North
8
Continue on CH 18
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Saint Croix Trail North
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left
8.8 mi
·
9 min
Toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 249
Toward I 694 North, I 494 South
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 694 North
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 694
12 mi
·
14 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 694
18 mi
·
22 min
·
I 694
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 494 South
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on I 494
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 494
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto CR 10
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the right lane.
18
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 23.1 miles from Afton, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 45.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
4.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Saint Paul
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 94 West, US 12 West, MN 95 South: Sain...
8
13.1 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 694 North, I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 249
Toward I 694 North, I 494 South
7
13.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 694 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 694 North
6
25.3 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 694
Keep slight right at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
7
45.4 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.86 one way
$13.72 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $7.39 | $14.78 |
| premium | $4.53 | $8.23 | $16.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.18 | $20.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.8 | 0 | $4.84 | $2.21 |
| Efficient EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.03 | $1.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.4 | 0 | $6.45 | $2.95 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Late night in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
59m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 67% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. The journey kicks off with local transitions before settling into a more consistent pace on the interstate system. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch along I-694, which spans 29.9 miles of the total distance. While the route lacks the complexity of winding backroads, the transition from Saint Croix Trail South onto the busy highway loops provides a clear change in driving intensity. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers who appreciate a steady, high-speed flow once they merge onto the main arterial roads.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.9 mi on I 694.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 694 and Saint Croix Trail South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 46.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 59m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Maple Grove, MN
Full guide →Maple Grove is a suburban city in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 59m. Total distance: 46.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.9 miles on I 694. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Maple Grove, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Maple Grove, MN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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