This 143.7-mile drive from Dawson, Minnesota to Maple Grove, Minnesota is a straightforward journey through the Midwest that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 12 minutes on the road, with an estimated fuel cost of $21. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it a practical option for a day trip. You'll spend about 80% of your time on highways, so it's a relatively quick connection between these two Minnesota locations. This trip is well-suited for one recommended day, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
71.9 miles from Dawson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 7
84.2 mi
1h 49m
Oak Street
16.3 mi
24m
highway 7 West
16.1 mi
20m
195th Avenue
10.3 mi
13m
I 494
9.6 mi
12m
State Highway 7 East
4.5 mi
6m
Minnesota State Highway 7
0.6 mi
<1m
Bass Lake Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MN 7
— 84.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dawson, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on CR 23
0.2 mi·32 sec·6th Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 212
16 mi·24 min·Oak Street
3
Turn left onto US 59; MN 29
0.2 mi·11 sec·US 59; MN 29
4
Continue on MN 7; MN 29
35 mi·45 min·MN 7; MN 29
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
156 ft·2 sec·195th Avenue
6
Continue on MN 7
0.1 mi·8 sec·195th Avenue
7
Continue on MN 7
7.9 mi·9 min·MN 7
8
Continue on MN 7
10 mi·13 min·195th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on MN 7
16 mi·20 min·highway 7 West
10
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
0.6 mi·1 min·4th Avenue Northwest
11
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
4.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 7 East
12
Continue on MN 7; CR 4
11 mi·14 min·MN 7; CR 4
13
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
130 ft·2 sec·MN 7
14
Continue on MN 7
9.0 mi·11 min·MN 7
15
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
125 ft·2 sec·MN 7
16
Continue on MN 7
2.5 mi·3 min·MN 7
17
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
185 ft·3 sec·MN 7
18
Continue on MN 7
5.8 mi·7 min·MN 7
19
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
139 ft·2 sec·MN 7
20
Continue on MN 7
13 mi·17 min·MN 7
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 7
0.6 mi·52 sec·Minnesota State Highway 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 494 NorthUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 494
9.6 mi·12 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26Toward CR 10: Bass Lake RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto CR 10
0.6 mi·1 min·Bass Lake Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 12-minute drive, consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive at your destination with plenty of time. With a fuel cost estimated at $21, it's an economical trip. The longest stretch without a significant change in road is 84.2 miles on MN 7, so plan for a comfort break before or during that segment if needed. Since this is a single-day trip, flexibility is key; you can easily adjust your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer highway portions, to ensure you don't need to make an unplanned stop.
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 71.9 miles from Dawson, MN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.2 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 32 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 36m 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 36m
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 Dawson, 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 Dawson, MN
This is one driving day of about 143.7 miles and 3h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Dawson, 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 MN 7 for about 84.2 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 113.5 and 142.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|MN 7
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
132.3 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
132.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 494 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 494 North
5
133.2 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|I 494
Merge onto I 494
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
142.8 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26
Toward CR 10: Bass Lake Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.39 one way
$42.77 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$23.04
$46.09
premium
$4.53
$25.64
$51.28
diesel
$5.61
$31.73
$63.45
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: 50.3 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
43.1
0
$15.09
$6.90
Efficient EV
35.9
0
$12.57
$5.75
EV Truck/SUV
57.5
0
$20.12
$9.20
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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Dawson, MN
Night
in Dawson on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maple Grove, MN
Night
in Maple Grove on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Hutchinson, MN
72 mi in
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
26 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
3h 12m 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 is largely a highway-focused drive, with 80% of the 143.7 miles on highways. You'll encounter stretches like the 84.2-mile segment on MN 7, which offers a consistent pace. The character of the drive is defined by its efficiency, moving you smoothly from point A to point B. While primarily highway, expect some transitions as you approach your destination. It’s the kind of drive where you can settle in for a few hours, enjoying the open road.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.2 mi on MN 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 7 and Oak Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 113.5 miles in near MN 7.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 113.5 miles (MN 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 132.3 miles (MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 143.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.2 miles on MN 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 113.5 miles (MN 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 132.3 miles (MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Maple Grove, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
