Traveling from Cloquet to Apple Valley is a straightforward 151.7-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily complete it in one go without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-35 and I-35E before transitioning onto Cedar Avenue for the final leg. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, it remains a budget-friendly way to cross the state. Because both locations are situated in the Midwest, you won't encounter major regional shifts, but you will move from the northern reaches of the state toward the heart of the Twin Cities metro area. It is a highly practical route for those prioritizing efficiency over rural detours.
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
75.9 miles from Cloquet, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
109.7 mi
1h 57m
I 35E
31.7 mi
38m
Cedar Avenue
3.2 mi
4m
MN 33
2.7 mi
4m
Centerville Road
2.3 mi
4m
County Road E
0.4 mi
1m
Cloquet Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
CH 96
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cloquet, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on 4th Street
26 ft·1 sec·4th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 45
519 ft·22 sec·Cloquet Avenue
3
Turn left onto MN 33
2.1 mi·3 min·MN 33
4
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
5
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
110 mi·1 hr 57 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
9.9 mi·10 min·I 35E
Toward Saint PaulUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 117Toward CR 96Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto CH 96
492 ft·12 sec·CH 96
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto CH 59
2.3 mi·4 min·Centerville Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto CH 15
0.4 mi·1 min·County Road E
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the ramp
226 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E South: Saint PaulUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35E
1.6 mi·2 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
5.5 mi·6 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St PaulUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
0.7 mi·48 sec·I 35E
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
17
Take the exit onto I 35E
14 mi·18 min·I 35E
Exit 241CToward I 35E SouthUse the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 92Toward MN 77: Cedar AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Cedar AvenueUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto MN 77
3.2 mi·4 min·Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
CR 42
Trip Plan
To keep your travel efficient, plan for at least one dedicated stop during your 2-hour and 55-minute transit. Leaving early in the day is your best bet to avoid potential congestion as you approach the Twin Cities area on I-35E. Since fuel costs are manageable at around $22, filling your tank in Cloquet before departure allows you to bypass extra stops if you prefer a direct run. Keep in mind that the high percentage of highway travel means you should stay alert during the long 109.7-mile stretch. Use the flexibility of this one-day route to choose a departure time that best aligns with your personal schedule rather than worrying about overnight logistics.
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 75.9 miles from Cloquet, MN, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.9 miles or 1h 23m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apple Valley, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cloquet, 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 Cloquet, MN
This is one driving day of about 151.7 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Cloquet, 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 109.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 112.5 and 133.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward Saint Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Saint Paul
7
122.3 mi into trip|~2h 13m in
Take the exit toward CR 96
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 117
Toward CR 96
8
125.5 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
127.3 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul
7
133.5 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|I 35E
Take the exit onto I 35E toward I 35E South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 241C
Toward I 35E South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.58 one way
$45.15 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$24.33
$48.65
premium
$4.53
$27.07
$54.13
diesel
$5.61
$33.49
$66.99
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.1 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
45.5
0
$15.93
$7.28
Efficient EV
37.9
0
$13.27
$6.07
EV Truck/SUV
60.7
0
$21.24
$9.71
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 20, 2026
Origin
Cloquet, MN
Late night
in Cloquet on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Apple Valley, MN
Late night
in Apple Valley on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 55m 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 quintessential highway-focused drive, with 95% of your travel spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 109.7 miles along I-35. Expect a steady, interstate-heavy experience that favors consistent speeds and direct navigation. While the initial portion offers an open-road feel, the character of the drive shifts as you merge into the busier corridors of I-35E and eventually transition to the local flow of Cedar Avenue. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal technical driving requirements.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 112.5 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 151.7 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 112.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Cloquet, MN and Apple Valley, MN, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Cr 96.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 55m. Total distance: 151.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.7 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 Apple Valley, 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 112.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 122.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.5 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 Apple Valley, MN before heading back.
