If you are planning a trip from Apple Valley to Cloquet, expect a straightforward 150.6-mile journey through the heart of Minnesota. You will spend roughly 2 hours and 50 minutes on the road, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. By utilizing I-35, I-35E, and Cedar Avenue, you can complete the transit efficiently without the need for an overnight stay. Budgeting around $22 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, the transition between them is seamless and familiar. This route prioritizes speed and directness, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75.3 miles from Apple Valley, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
105 mi
1h 52m
I 35E
37.4 mi
44m
Cedar Avenue
2.9 mi
4m
MN 33
2.7 mi
4m
I 694
0.8 mi
<1m
US 10
0.3 mi
<1m
Cloquet Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Purple Heart Memorial Highway
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley, MN and Cloquet, MN.
1
Start on CR 42
35 ft·6 sec·County Road 42
2
Turn right onto CR 23
2.9 mi·4 min·Cedar Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 2AToward I 35E North: Saint PaulUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 35E
11 mi·13 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
2.7 mi·4 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
0.4 mi·35 sec·I 35E
7
Merge onto I 35E; I 94
350 ft·5 sec·Purple Heart Memorial Highway
8
Take the exit onto I 35E
5.2 mi·6 min·I 35E
Exit 242BToward I 35E North, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 10
Exit 113-114Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 114Toward I 35E North, I 694 EastUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi·59 sec·I 694
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi·19 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 35
14
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi·58 sec·MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
15
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft·1 sec·MN 33
16
Continue on MN 33
2.1 mi·3 min·MN 33
17
Turn right onto CR 45
465 ft·14 sec·Cloquet Avenue
18
Turn right onto 4th Street
26 ft·1 sec·4th Street
19
Arrive at destination
4th Street
Trip Plan
To maximize your efficiency, plan for at least one stop during your 2-hour and 50-minute journey to break up the monotony of the interstate. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though leaving outside of peak traffic hours will help you clear the metro area more quickly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Apple Valley to ensure you stay within your $22 budget, as highway consumption can vary. Since the route relies heavily on I-35, check traffic reports for potential construction or delays on that main corridor before you head out. Embracing this as a direct, no-nonsense commute will help you arrive in Cloquet ready for whatever your itinerary holds.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75.3 miles from Apple Valley, MN, or about 1h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 33 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.3 miles or 1h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cloquet, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Apple Valley, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Apple Valley, MN
This is one driving day of about 150.6 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Apple Valley, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 35 for about 105 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.9 and 24.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North: Saint Paul
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward I 35E North: Saint Paul
8
18.1 mi into trip|~25m in|I 35E
Take the exit onto I 35E toward I 35E North, US 10 West
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 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
23.3 mi into trip|~31m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
23.6 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East
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 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
7
24.9 mi into trip|~33m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.41 one way
$44.82 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$24.15
$48.30
premium
$4.53
$26.87
$53.74
diesel
$5.61
$33.25
$66.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.2
0
$15.81
$7.23
Efficient EV
37.7
0
$13.18
$6.02
EV Truck/SUV
60.2
0
$21.08
$9.64
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Apple Valley, MN
Late night
in Apple Valley on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cloquet, MN
Late night
in Cloquet on Tuesday
Local time
4:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
17 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
2h 50m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm, as the route features a dominant 105-mile uninterrupted stretch along I-35. Expect a consistent interstate experience rather than a winding backroads adventure, as the infrastructure is designed for steady, high-speed transit. While the initial leg involves navigating through local traffic via Cedar Avenue, the vast majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent on wide, multi-lane highways. It is a functional and efficient drive that rewards you with predictable road conditions.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 150.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 150.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on I 35. 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 Cloquet, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.1 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Cloquet, MN before heading back.
