Jackson, MN to Maple Grove, MN is 157.4 miles and takes about 3h 15m via US 169 and State Highway 60, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, making it a convenient option for a quick day trip or an easy start to a longer adventure. Expect a predictable route with minimal complexity, suitable for those who prefer to cover ground efficiently.
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
78.7 miles from Jackson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 169
40.9 mi
49m
State Highway 60
34.6 mi
41m
State Highway 4
17.8 mi
22m
I 494
14 mi
17m
I 90
13.3 mi
14m
US 212
13.1 mi
15m
MN 60 E
8.8 mi
10m
Quaker Avenue
5.4 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 40.9 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jackson, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on US 71; CR 34
1.4 mi·2 min·US Highway 71
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 90 East: Albert Lea
3
Merge onto I 90
13 mi·14 min·I 90
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward MN 4: Saint James, Sherburn
5
Turn right onto MN 4
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 4
6
Continue on MN 4
3.0 mi·3 min·70th Avenue
7
Continue on MN 4
3.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 4
8
Continue on MN 4
0.1 mi·22 sec·Broadway Avenue South
9
Continue on MN 4
14 mi·17 min·State Highway 4
10
Take the ramp onto MN 4
0.3 mi·19 sec·MN 4
Toward MN 60 East, MN 4 North: St. James, MankatoUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto MN 4; MN 60
20 mi·22 min·State Highway 60
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on MN 60
8.8 mi·10 min·MN 60 E
13
Continue on MN 60
15 mi·19 min·State Highway 60
14
Continue on US 169
19 mi·24 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 169; MN 93
12 mi·13 min·US 169; MN 93
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 169
9.6 mi·11 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto CR 9
5.4 mi·8 min·Quaker Avenue
18
At end of road, turn right onto CR 11; CR 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·County Road 40
19
Continue on CR 11
0.9 mi·1 min·Jonathan Carver Parkway
20
Enter roundabout onto CR 11
99 ft·1 sec·Jonathan Carver Parkway
21
Continue on CR 11
1.0 mi·1 min·Jonathan Carver Parkway
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward US 212 East
23
Merge onto US 212
13 mi·15 min·US 212
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
439 ft·10 sec
Toward I 494 NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 494 North
26
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
14 mi·17 min·I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26Toward CR 10: Bass Lake RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn left onto CR 10
0.6 mi·1 min·Bass Lake Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Maple Grove and still have daylight remaining. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause to stretch your legs or grab a quick snack. Since the route is primarily highway, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach your destination, as your $23 fuel budget is an estimate. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 40 miles, so plan your stop accordingly.
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 78.7 miles from Jackson, MN, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.9 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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.7 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 39m
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 Jackson, 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 Jackson, MN
This is one driving day of about 157.4 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Jackson, 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 US 169 for about 40.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 156.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East: Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 East: Albert Lea
6
36.2 mi into trip|~45m in|MN 4
Take the ramp onto MN 4 toward MN 60 East, MN 4 North: St. James, Mankato
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward MN 60 East, MN 4 North: St. James, Manka...
6
142.1 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 494 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 494 North
6
142.2 mi into trip|~2h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 494 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 494 North
7
156.5 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
$23.42 one way
$46.85 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$25.24
$50.48
premium
$4.53
$28.08
$56.17
diesel
$5.61
$34.75
$69.50
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: 55.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.2
0
$16.53
$7.56
Efficient EV
39.4
0
$13.77
$6.30
EV Truck/SUV
63
0
$22.04
$10.07
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Jackson, MN
Late night
in Jackson on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maple Grove, MN
Late night
in Maple Grove on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 15m 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 route is 93% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 40.9 miles, encountered on US 169. You'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of the drive. Be prepared for a consistent cruising experience with relatively few interruptions on the main highway segments.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.9 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and State Highway 60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 157.4 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 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 36.2 miles (MN 4): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Jackson, MN and Maple Grove, MN, road signs point toward Sherburn and Mankato.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 157.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.9 miles on US 169. 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 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 36.2 miles (MN 4): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Maple Grove, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
