Origin
Apple Valley, MN
Night in Apple Valley on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apple Valley, MN to Anoka, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
39.8 mi
64 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apple Valley, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Anoka, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This straightforward 39.8-mile drive from Apple Valley, MN, to Anoka, MN, is easily manageable in about 53 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at just $6, it's an economical choice for a quick journey within Minnesota. The route primarily utilizes major roads like MN 100 and US 169, offering a mixed driving experience. Given its short duration and minimal stops, you won't need to split this into an overnight trip. This route is perfect for those looking for a convenient and efficient way to travel between two points in the Midwest.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 100 | 12.2 mi | 15m |
| Cedar Avenue | 9.5 mi | 11m |
| US 169 | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| Bottineau Boulevard | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| I 494 | 5 mi | 6m |
| West Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| County Road 81 | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MN 100
— 12.2 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley, MN and Anoka, MN.
1
Start on CR 42
35 ft
·
6 sec
·
County Road 42
2
Turn right onto CR 23
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Use the right lane.
4
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 7A
Toward MN 100
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto MN 100
12 mi
·
15 min
·
MN 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 12B
Toward CR 81 North
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto CR 81
158 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Road 81
9
Continue on CR 81
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Bottineau Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward US 169 North
11
Merge onto US 169
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
386 ft
·
10 sec
13
Turn slight right onto West Main Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Main Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue
77 ft
·
3 sec
·
3rd Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
3rd Avenue
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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 39.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.9 miles from Apple Valley, 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 27.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CR 23 / Cedar Avenue
Turn right onto CR 23 / Cedar Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
9.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
5
9.7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
I 494; MN 5
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
14.7 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward MN 100
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7A
Toward MN 100
7
27.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward CR 81 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 12B
Toward CR 81 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.92 one way
$11.85 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $6.38 | $12.76 |
| premium | $4.53 | $7.10 | $14.20 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.79 | $17.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.18 | $1.91 |
| Efficient EV | 10 | 0 | $3.48 | $1.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.9 | 0 | $5.57 | $2.55 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Anoka, MN
Night in Anoka on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
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
20 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
53m 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 mixed drive on this journey, with 59% of the route on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 12.2 miles on MN 100, providing a period of consistent travel. You'll transition between different main roads, including Cedar Avenue and US 169, which means the road's character will change as you progress. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; rather, it's a blend of quicker highway sections and potentially more varied local road segments as you approach your destination.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 12.2 mi on MN 100.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CR 23 / Cedar Avenue.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 39.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 23 / Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 494; MN 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Apple Valley, MN to Anoka, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 81 North along the way.
Cr 81 North
27.2 mi in
|
~34m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 39.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 12.2 miles on MN 100. 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 Anoka, 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: near the start (CR 23 / Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 494; MN 5): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Anoka, 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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