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Trip from Maple Grove, MN to Marion, MN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 22m

Distance

115.8 mi

186 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 13m ★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 42m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 30m
5 PM
2h 41m
8 PM
2h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time
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city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States

Maple Grove, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Marion, MN, MN

Marion, MN

Semih Başaran

Trip Overview

The drive from Maple Grove, MN to Marion, MN covers 115.8 miles and takes about 2h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 52, Lafayette Freeway, I 694 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 65.3 miles on US 52. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.34 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

57.9 miles from Maple Grove, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 52 65.3 mi 1h 16m
Lafayette Freeway 13.3 mi 16m
I 694 11.7 mi 12m
I 94 6.3 mi 7m
County 14 Boulevard 5.8 mi 9m
Voyageur Highway 5.5 mi 6m
County 9 Boulevard 4.1 mi 5m
I 494 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 52 — 65.3 mi, about 1h 16m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~5,526 veh/hr typical

Quietest

2 AM

~301 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

18.4×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 99 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove, MN and Marion, 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

12 mi · 12 min · I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

5.5 mi · 6 min · Voyageur Highway
Exit 46 Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

0.6 mi · 36 sec · US 10
Exit 107A Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street Use the slight left / straight lanes.
10

Take the exit onto US 52

0.3 mi · 38 sec · US 52
Exit 242D Toward US 52 Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto US 52

13 mi · 16 min · Lafayette Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 52

21 mi · 24 min · US 52
Toward Rochester Use the straight lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 96 Toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
14

Enter roundabout onto CR 24

26 ft · 0 sec · County 24 Boulevard
15

Continue on CR 24

0.1 mi · 19 sec · County 24 Boulevard
16

Enter roundabout onto CR 14

221 ft · 6 sec · County 14 Boulevard
17

Continue on CR 14

5.8 mi · 9 min · County 14 Boulevard
18

Turn left onto CR 9

4.1 mi · 5 min · County 9 Boulevard
19

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 42 sec
Toward US 52 South
20

Merge onto US 52

17 mi · 19 min · US 52
Use the straight lane.
21

Continue on US 52

27 mi · 32 min · US 52
Use the straight lane.
22

Turn left onto 54th Street Southeast

0.1 mi · 31 sec · 54th Street Southeast
23

Turn left onto 65th Avenue Southeast

58 ft · 4 sec · 65th Avenue Southeast
24

Turn right

68 ft · 5 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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 57.9 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.3 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 25 miles or 30m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 57.9 miles or 1h 9m 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 57m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marion, 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 115.8 miles and 2h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Maple Grove, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 52 for about 65.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lakeville, MN

58 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

Saint Paul, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lakeville, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57.9 miles from Maple Grove, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 52 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.3 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 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 26.5 — 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
9
20.4 mi into trip | ~24m in | US 10 / Voyageur Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 / Voyageur Highway toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 46 Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
9
25.9 mi into trip | ~31m in | US 10

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 107A Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
7
26.5 mi into trip | ~32m in | US 52

Take the exit onto US 52 toward US 52

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 242D Toward US 52

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.34 one way

$36.67 round trip

$4.02/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.28 $19.53 $39.05
premium $4.85 $22.10 $44.20
diesel $5.60 $25.53 $51.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 40.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.7 0 $12.16 $5.56
Efficient EV 29 0 $10.13 $4.63
EV Truck/SUV 46.3 0 $16.21 $7.41

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 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 Sep 2, 2026

Origin

Maple Grove, MN

Night in Maple Grove on Friday

Local time

11:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Chance Rain Showers

NNE 0 to 5 mph 54% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 1 at 8:17PM CDT until September 1 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

Destination

Marion, MN

Night in Marion on Friday

Local time

11:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

NE 2 to 8 mph 65% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued September 1 at 8:17PM CDT until September 1 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD

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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 22m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

115.8 mi in 2h 22m, mostly highway — 65.3 mi of that is on US 52.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.3 mi on US 52.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and Lafayette Freeway. 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 10/10

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 20 significant decision points across 115.8 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 20.4 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,194 ft 810 ft

Total Climb

867 ft

Total Descent

677 ft

Highest Point

1,194 ft

~74.4 mi in

Elevation Range

383 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Maple Grove, MN and Marion, MN, road signs point toward Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.

Rochester

40.1 mi in | ~49m | via US 52

Cr 24: Cannon Falls

61.1 mi in | ~1h 13m

About the Cities

Starting in Maple Grove, MN

Full guide →

Founded 1858

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 2h 22m. Total distance: 115.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 65.3 miles on US 52. 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 Marion, 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. 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 20.4 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Marion, MN before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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