If you are planning a trip from Mankato to Maple Grove, you are looking at a straightforward 82.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. This Midwest transit is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it is short enough to avoid the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. By utilizing US 169, I-494, and US 212, you will navigate through the heart of Minnesota with ease. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a reliable connection between these two locations without requiring extensive travel time.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.1 miles from Mankato, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 169
32.8 mi
39m
I 494
14 mi
17m
US 212
13.1 mi
15m
South Minnesota Avenue
11.6 mi
15m
Quaker Avenue
5.4 mi
8m
Jonathan Carver Parkway
1.9 mi
2m
South 2nd Street
0.6 mi
1m
Bass Lake Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 169
— 32.8 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mankato, MN and Maple Grove, MN.
1
Start on Van Brunt Street
134 ft·8 sec·Van Brunt Street
2
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
0.6 mi·1 min·South 2nd Street
3
Continue on North 2nd Street
449 ft·20 sec·North 2nd Street
4
Turn left onto EastMulberry Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·EastMulberry Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto US 169; MN 60
11 mi·14 min·US 169; MN 60
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on US 169; MN 22; MN 99
12 mi·15 min·South Minnesota Avenue
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 169; MN 93
12 mi·13 min·US 169; MN 93
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 169
9.6 mi·11 min·US 169
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto CR 9
5.4 mi·8 min·Quaker Avenue
11
At end of road, turn right onto CR 11; CR 40
0.6 mi·52 sec·County Road 40
12
Continue on CR 11
0.9 mi·1 min·Jonathan Carver Parkway
13
Enter roundabout onto CR 11
99 ft·1 sec·Jonathan Carver Parkway
14
Continue on CR 11
1.0 mi·1 min·Jonathan Carver Parkway
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward US 212 East
16
Merge onto US 212
13 mi·15 min·US 212
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
439 ft·10 sec
Toward I 494 NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 494 North
19
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
14 mi·17 min·I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 26Toward CR 10: Bass Lake RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto CR 10
0.6 mi·1 min·Bass Lake Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Arrive at destination
CR 10
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Since the trip takes under two hours, you can easily complete the 82.2-mile distance without needing formal stops, though taking a break remains an option if you prefer a more relaxed pace. Keep in mind that traffic flow on I-494 can be heavy, so checking local traffic reports before you leave can help you avoid unnecessary delays. Budget about $12 for fuel to ensure you are covered for the full round trip. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert when transitioning from the stretches of US 169 onto the interstate, as traffic volume often increases significantly at those junctions.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 41.1 miles from Mankato, MN, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.8 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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.1 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 29m
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 Mankato, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Mankato, MN
This is one driving day of about 82.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Mankato, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 32.8 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 0.7 and 81.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|EastMulberry Street
Turn left onto EastMulberry Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
67 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
67.1 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 494 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 494 North
7
81.3 mi into trip|~1h 43m 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
$12.23 one way
$24.47 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$13.18
$26.36
premium
$4.53
$14.67
$29.33
diesel
$5.61
$18.15
$36.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.7
0
$8.63
$3.95
Efficient EV
20.6
0
$7.19
$3.29
EV Truck/SUV
32.9
0
$11.51
$5.26
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 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 21, 2026
Origin
Mankato, MN
Morning
in Mankato on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Maple Grove, MN
Morning
in Maple Grove on Tuesday
Local time
7:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Jordan, MN
41 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
2 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
1h 45m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as roughly 75% of this route is dedicated to high-speed travel. You will spend a significant portion of your time on US 169, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 32.8 miles. The road transition between these primary arteries keeps the drive efficient rather than tedious. While you won't encounter major technical road changes, the mix of US 169 and interstate segments ensures a steady pace for the duration of the 1 hour and 45-minute trip. It is a functional, direct drive that keeps you moving toward your destination with minimal distractions.
75% 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: 32.8 mi on US 169.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near EastMulberry Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.2 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 0.7 miles (EastMulberry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 67 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Mankato (pronounced man-KAY-toh) is a city in Minnesota, USA, that exudes a college presence with several centers of higher learning, including Minnesota State University.
Top landmarks
•Blue Earth County Courthouse
•Federal Courthouse and Post Office — courthouse in Mankato, Minnesota, United States
•First National Bank of Mankato — building in Mankato, Minnesota, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 82.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 32.8 miles on US 169. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (EastMulberry Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 67 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.
