Traveling from International Falls to Maple Grove covers 301.8 miles through the heart of Minnesota. You should expect roughly 4 hours and 48 minutes of drive time, making this a manageable journey for a single day of travel. Since the route relies on local roads like 8th Avenue, 5th Street, and 3rd Avenue rather than major interstates, plan for a fuel budget of approximately $42. While it is certainly feasible to complete this trip in one go, the nature of the terrain means you will want to stay alert. This path keeps you entirely within the Midwest, offering a consistent regional feel as you head south toward the Twin Cities area.
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
150.7 miles from International Falls, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
109.7 mi
1h 57m
Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
98 mi
2h 3m
US 53
42 mi
50m
MN 33
19.7 mi
26m
I 35W
14.7 mi
16m
I 694
12.4 mi
15m
I 494
1.2 mi
1m
2nd Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between International Falls, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on this road
75 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 8th Avenue
111 ft·9 sec·8th Avenue
3
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·5th Street
4
Turn right onto US 53
0.7 mi·50 sec·3rd Avenue
5
Continue on US 53
0.8 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
6
Continue on US 53
2.2 mi·3 min·Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto US 53
135 ft·1 sec·Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 53
96 mi·2 hr·Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 53
4.6 mi·6 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto US 53
114 ft·1 sec·US 53
11
Continue on US 53
37 mi·43 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto MN 33
15 mi·18 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on MN 33
3.9 mi·7 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
15
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
16
Merge onto I 35
110 mi·1 hr 57 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
15 mi·16 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 26CToward I 694 WestUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 694
12 mi·15 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward I 494 SouthUse the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on I 494
1.2 mi·1 min·I 494
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 26Toward CR 10: Bass Lake RoadUse the slight right lane.
23
Turn right onto CR 10
0.5 mi·50 sec·Bass Lake Road
Use the right lane.
24
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Given the 4 hour and 48 minute duration, try to leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue on these local roads. Since the route is turn-heavy, you will appreciate having at least one planned stop to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $42 estimate is a baseline that can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency on lower-speed, stop-and-go roads. Because this is a single-day trip, embrace the flexibility of your schedule to pace yourself comfortably. Specifically, ensure your GPS is updated for local turns, as you will be navigating 5th Street and 3rd Avenue frequently throughout the journey.
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 150.7 miles from International Falls, MN, or about 3h 8m 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 66 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.7 miles or 3h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 55m
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 International Falls, 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 International Falls, MN
This is one driving day of about 301.4 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from International Falls, 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 271.2 and 300.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
271.2 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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
285.9 mi into trip|~5h 37m 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
298.9 mi into trip|~5h 54m 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
300.6 mi into trip|~5h 56m 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
300.9 mi into trip|~5h 57m 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
$44.85 one way
$89.71 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$48.33
$96.66
premium
$4.53
$53.78
$107.55
diesel
$5.61
$66.55
$133.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.4
1
$31.65
$14.47
Efficient EV
75.4
0
$26.37
$12.06
EV Truck/SUV
120.6
1
$42.20
$19.29
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 15, 2026
Origin
International Falls, MN
Evening
in International Falls on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maple Grove, MN
Evening
in Maple Grove on Saturday
Local time
8:29 PM
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
14 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
5h 57m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Voyageurs National Park
National Park
Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the park is named after the French-Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these ab...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
near mile 31.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate surface roads for the duration of the 301.8-mile trek. You won’t find long, uninterrupted stretches here, as the longest segment on 8th Avenue requires constant attention to your surroundings. The road demands active driving, so prepare for a more hands-on experience compared to typical highway cruising. It is a practical, direct way to move through Minnesota if you prefer local roads over high-speed traffic.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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 Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 271.2 miles in near I 35W.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 301.4 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 271.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 298.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 301.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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.
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.
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 271.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 298.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Voyageurs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Maple Grove, MN before the return drive.
