Origin
Cloquet, MN
Late night in Cloquet on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cloquet, 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
2h 38m
Distance
142.6 mi
229 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cloquet, MN
Joel Santos
Maple Grove, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cloquet, MN to Maple Grove, MN is 142.6 miles and takes about 2h 38m via I 35 and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $21 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's ideal for a single-day journey. You'll be on major interstates for almost the entire route, making for efficient travel.
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
71.3 miles from Cloquet, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 109.7 mi | 1h 57m |
| I 35W | 14.7 mi | 16m |
| I 694 | 12.4 mi | 15m |
| MN 33 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| I 494 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Bass Lake Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Cloquet Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 4th Street | <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 Maple Grove, 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 right at fork onto I 35W
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 26C
Toward I 694 West
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 694
12 mi
·
15 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 494 South
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on I 494
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 494
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto CR 10
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Bass Lake Road
Use the right lane.
14
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2h 38m duration, you have a lot of flexibility for departure time. Leaving Cloquet in the morning allows you to arrive in Maple Grove with plenty of the day remaining. Plan for one stop along the way, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, as congestion can increase significantly during peak hours.
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 71.3 miles from Cloquet, MN, or about 1h 18m 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 31 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.3 miles or 1h 18m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Maple Grove, 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 142.6 miles and 2h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
71 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.3 miles from Cloquet, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.7 miles.
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 95 decision points cluster between mile 112.5 and 142.1 — 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 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
127.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 694 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26C
Toward I 694 West
6
140.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Toward I 494 South
7
141.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m 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
6
142.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m in
|
CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Turn right onto CR 10 / Bass Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.22 one way
$42.44 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $22.87 | $45.73 |
| premium | $4.53 | $25.44 | $50.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.48 | $62.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.97 | $6.84 |
| Efficient EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.48 | $5.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57 | 0 | $19.96 | $9.13 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Maple Grove, MN
Late night in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
8 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 38m 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 drive for this trip, with 99% of the journey on interstates. You'll spend a significant portion, 109.7 miles, on I 35 without needing to exit. The route primarily utilizes I 35, transitioning to I 35W and then I 694 as you approach your destination. This means consistent speeds and limited opportunities for spontaneous stops off the main path.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. 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 35W.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 142.6 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 112.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Cloquet, MN
Full guide →Cloquet (pronounced kloh-KAY) is a town in Northeastern Minnesota.
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 2h 38m. Total distance: 142.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). 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 Maple Grove, 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 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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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