Maple Grove, MN to Wilson, MN is 149.9 miles and takes about 2h 59m via US 52 and I 90, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. Expect mostly highway driving on this relatively short, single-day excursion. It's a straightforward route if you're looking for a quick trip between these two points with minimal fuss.
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
74.9 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 52
64.7 mi
1h 15m
I 90
33.8 mi
36m
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
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 15m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,508 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~287 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 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 Wilson, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
0.6 mi·1 min·Bass Lake Road
2
Turn left
316 ft·9 sec
Toward I 494 NorthUse 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 EastUse 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 46Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St PaulUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.6 mi·36 sec·US 10
Exit 107AToward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta StreetUse the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 52
0.3 mi·38 sec·US 52
Exit 242DToward US 52Use 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 RochesterUse the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 96Toward 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·31 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 90 East: La CrosseUse the left lane.
23
Merge onto I 90
34 mi·36 min·I 90
24
Take the exit onto MN 43
0.2 mi·31 sec·MN 43
Toward MN 43 North: Winona
25
Turn left onto MN 43
0.3 mi·31 sec·MN 43
26
Turn right onto CR 12
338 ft·9 sec·County Road 12
27
Arrive at destination
CR 12
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 59 minute duration, leaving Maple Grove in the morning allows for arrival in Wilson with plenty of daylight. The route is efficient, with only one suggested stop, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25 for the 149.9 miles, and plan your fill-up accordingly, especially before the 64.7-mile stretch on US 52. This is a manageable drive for a single day, so you can decide on your departure time based on your schedule.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.9 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 33 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.9 miles or 1h 33m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wilson, 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 149.9 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 US 52 for about 64.7 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 22
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
$24.61 one way
$49.22 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$26.32
$52.64
premium
$4.95
$29.20
$58.40
diesel
$5.35
$31.57
$63.15
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: 52.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45
0
$15.74
$7.20
Efficient EV
37.5
0
$13.12
$6.00
EV Truck/SUV
60
0
$20.99
$9.59
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (65% 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Maple Grove, MN
Afternoon
in Maple Grove on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Wilson, MN
Afternoon
in Wilson on Wednesday
Local time
2:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Scattered Rain Showers
E 6 mph28% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
86°F
Vermillion, MN
75 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
4 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
2h 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 88% of the 149.9 miles on major roads like US 52 and I 90. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 64.7 miles on US 52 before transitioning to surface roads closer to your destination. Expect the feel of continuous travel with fewer exits for a significant portion of the drive.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.7 mi on US 52.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and I 90. 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 Effort10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 149.9 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
1,338 ft843 ft
Total Climb
933 ft
Total Descent
539 ft
Highest Point
1,338 ft
~149.9 mi in
Elevation Range
496 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 Wilson, MN, road signs point toward Rochester and Cr 24: Cannon Falls.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 149.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.7 miles on US 52. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Wilson, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 Wilson, MN before heading back.
