Traveling from Apple Valley to Grand Rapids covers 197 miles of Minnesota landscape, typically taking about 4 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Because this journey stays within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you head north. The route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $28 for fuel to make the trek. Whether you are heading up for a weekend getaway or a quick visit, the straightforward nature of this drive makes it a manageable commitment for any traveler.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
98.5 miles from Apple Valley, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central Avenue Northeast
105.8 mi
2h 10m
State Highway 65
35.8 mi
45m
US 2
19 mi
21m
I 35W
17.6 mi
22m
Cedar Avenue
11.8 mi
14m
US 10
2.8 mi
3m
Crosstown Highway
1.4 mi
1m
East Highway 210
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Central Avenue Northeast
— 105.8 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley, MN and Grand Rapids, MN.
1
Start on CR 42
35 ft·6 sec·County Road 42
2
Turn right onto CR 23
12 mi·14 min·Cedar Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward MN 62 WestUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto MN 62
1.4 mi·1 min·Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 35W NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 35W
4.6 mi·6 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
5.6 mi·7 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Exit 22BToward MN 36Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 35W
0.3 mi·19 sec·I 35W
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
7.1 mi·8 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
2.8 mi·3 min·US 10
Toward US 10 WestUse the slight right lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward MN 65: Central AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
222 ft·6 sec
14
Turn right onto MN 65
106 mi·2 hr 10 min·Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto MN 210; MN 65
1.2 mi·2 min·East Highway 210
16
Turn right onto MN 65
36 mi·45 min·State Highway 65
17
Enter roundabout onto US 2
250 ft·2 sec·US 2
18
Continue on US 2
19 mi·21 min·US 2
19
Continue on Northeast 6th Avenue
382 ft·15 sec·Northeast 6th Avenue
20
Turn left onto Northeast 5th Street
0.4 mi·51 sec·Northeast 5th Street
21
Continue on Northwest 5th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Northwest 5th Street
22
Arrive at destination
Northwest 5th Street
Trip Plan
To maximize your efficiency, consider leaving early in the morning to beat potential traffic as you exit the Apple Valley area. Since the total trip is under five hours, one well-timed stop should be sufficient to keep you refreshed and focused behind the wheel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $28 estimate can vary based on your vehicle's specific efficiency and local pricing fluctuations. Because this route is short enough to offer significant flexibility, you have the freedom to decide exactly when you want to arrive in Grand Rapids. Focus on maintaining a steady pace during the long stretch on Central Avenue Northeast to ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 98.5 miles from Apple Valley, MN, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 43 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.5 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grand Rapids, 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 197 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 Central Avenue Northeast for about 105.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 31.6 — 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.
6
11.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward MN 62 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward MN 62 West
7
13.4 mi into trip|~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W North
7
23.9 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward MN 36
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22B
Toward MN 36
7
31.6 mi into trip|~40m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 10 West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.34 one way
$64.68 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$34.59
$69.18
premium
$4.95
$38.38
$76.75
diesel
$5.35
$41.49
$82.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
Efficient EV
49.3
0
$17.24
$7.88
EV Truck/SUV
78.8
0
$27.58
$12.61
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Apple Valley, MN
Afternoon
in Apple Valley on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Grand Rapids, MN
Afternoon
in Grand Rapids on Wednesday
Local time
2:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
9 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
4h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 mixed-drive route shifts in personality as you transition from the metro area toward the north woods. You will spend about 39% of your time on highways, balancing faster stretches with more localized travel. A notable portion of your trip includes a 105.8-mile stretch along Central Avenue Northeast, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of your journey. By utilizing a combination of Central Avenue Northeast, State Highway 65, and US 2, you encounter a variety of road conditions that keep the drive engaging. Expect the pace to fluctuate as you navigate these different road types throughout the 4-hour transit.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on Central Avenue Northeast.
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 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 17 significant decision points across 197 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: near the start (CR 23 / Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Not to be confused with Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Grand Rapids is a small city in northern Minnesota and county seat of Itasca County. With more than 1,000 lakes inside the county, Grand Rapids serves as a popular destination for anglers looking for a good spot to cast a line. There are several smaller lakes in and around the downtown area, but the big kahuna is Pokegama Lake.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 197 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on Central Avenue Northeast. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Grand Rapids, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (CR 23 / Cedar Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Grand Rapids, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
