Origin
Maple Grove, MN
Late night in Maple Grove on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Maple Grove, MN to Arnold, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
168 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 1m
★
6 AM
3h 13m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 21m
12 PM
3h 19m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maple Grove, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Arnold, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Maple Grove, MN to Arnold, MN is 168 miles and takes about 3h 13m via I 35, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Minnesota, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the state. It's a highway-focused route, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a relatively quick and efficient journey. With only one recommended stop and a duration under four hours, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a flexible departure time.
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
84 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 123.8 mi | 2h 14m |
| I 35W | 19.8 mi | 21m |
| I 694 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| I 94 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| Howard Gnesen Road | 4.1 mi | 7m |
| Kenwood Avenue | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Mesaba Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| I 494 | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 123.8 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove, MN and Arnold, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Bass Lake Road
2
Turn left
316 ft
·
9 sec
Toward I 494 North
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 494 North
4
Merge onto I 494
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 494
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 94 East, I 694 East
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 94; I 694
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I 94; I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 41B
Toward I 35W North
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35W
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
124 mi
·
2 hr 14 min
·
I 35
12
Take the exit onto MN 194
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
MN 194
13
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 194
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
MN 194
14
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 194
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mesaba Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
East 13th Street
16
Turn left onto East Skyline Parkway
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Skyline Parkway
17
Turn straight onto Kenwood Avenue
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Kenwood Avenue
18
Continue on CH 34
4.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Howard Gnesen Road
19
Turn right onto CH 2
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Tischer Road
20
Turn left onto CH 36
55 ft
·
1 sec
·
Arnold Road
21
Arrive at destination
CH 36
Trip Plan
Given the short 3h 13m duration and 168-mile distance, you have significant flexibility with your departure time. Aim to leave Maple Grove in the morning to take advantage of daylight for the entire trip. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $25, planning is minimal. The majority of this route is on I 35, so be aware of potential construction delays or increased traffic, especially during peak commuting hours if you depart too late. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the longest stretch without an exit is over 123 miles.
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 84 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.8 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 37 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 34m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arnold, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Maple Grove, 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 Maple Grove, MN
This is one driving day of about 168 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Maple Grove, 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 123.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84 miles from Maple Grove, 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 123.8 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 18.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn left toward I 494 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 494 North
8
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 East, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 East, I 694 East
6
8.8 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
15.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 41B
Toward I 35W North
6
18.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.00 one way
$50.00 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $26.94 | $53.88 |
| premium | $4.53 | $29.98 | $59.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.09 | $74.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.70 | $6.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.2 | 0 | $23.52 | $10.75 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Arnold, MN
Late night in Arnold on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°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
12 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 13m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the route utilizing major interstates like I 35, I 35W, and I 694. You can anticipate a consistent pace for most of the 168 miles, as the longest uninterrupted stretch measures 123.8 miles on I 35. This means extended periods of steady driving without frequent exits or changes in road type. The character of the drive remains primarily that of a high-speed interstate transit, designed for efficient travel between destinations.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.8 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 168 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting 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 3h 13m. Total distance: 168 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.8 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 Arnold, 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.8 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Arnold, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Arnold, MN
Explore more options from Maple Grove, MN or browse trips ending in Arnold, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.