Maple Grove, MN to Winona, MN is 134.9 miles and takes about 2h 59m via Route 61/US 10, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving you through the Midwest region. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly on main highways, making it a practical option for a quick getaway or a segment of a larger Midwestern adventure. You'll likely find it an efficient way to cover the distance without excessive planning.
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
67.5 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Route 61
54.1 mi
1h 8m
US 10
22.7 mi
30m
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi
19m
I 694
11.7 mi
12m
I 94
6.3 mi
7m
Red Wing Boulevard
6 mi
8m
Voyageur Highway
5.5 mi
6m
North Lakeshore Drive
2.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Route 61
— 54.1 mi, about 1h 8m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,388 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~267 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.2×
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 Winona, 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
2.5 mi·3 min·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 10; US 61
20 mi·26 min·US 10; US 61
Exit 244Toward US 10 East, US 61 SouthUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn left onto MN 316
0.1 mi·13 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
12
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
62 ft·1 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
13
Continue on MN 316
0.4 mi·32 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
71 ft·0 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
15
Continue on MN 316
0.5 mi·43 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
16
Enter roundabout onto MN 316
76 ft·1 sec·Red Wing Boulevard
17
Continue on MN 316
4.9 mi·7 min·Red Wing Boulevard
18
Continue on MN 316
1.8 mi·2 min·Polk Avenue
19
Continue on MN 316
2.0 mi·2 min·Highway 316 Boulevard
20
Enter roundabout onto US 61
247 ft·3 sec·Route 61
21
Continue on US 61
5.6 mi·6 min·Route 61
Use the straight lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 61
6.1 mi·8 min·Route 61
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 61
1.7 mi·3 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 61; US 63
15 mi·19 min·Route 61/Route 63
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 61; US 63
2.8 mi·5 min·North Lakeshore Drive
26
Continue on US 61
9.5 mi·13 min·Route 61
27
Continue on US 61
0.2 mi·17 sec·2nd Street
28
Continue on US 61
33 mi·39 min·Route 61
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn left onto Pelzer Street
0.3 mi·38 sec·Pelzer Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto CR 32
0.4 mi·41 sec·West 5th Street
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on County Highway 32
0.1 mi·17 sec·County Highway 32
32
Turn left onto West Broadway Street
2.0 mi·4 min·West Broadway Street
33
Turn left onto MN 43
41 ft·1 sec·Main Street
34
Arrive at destination
MN 43
Trip Plan
For this 134.9-mile trip, leaving Maple Grove in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. Since the drive is under 3 hours, you won't need to split it into multiple days. You should plan for one stop, possibly around the halfway point, to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22, and it's always wise to top off before heading into less populated stretches, like the 54.1-mile segment on Route 61.
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 67.5 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.1 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 30 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 67.5 miles or 1h 26m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winona, 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 134.9 miles and 2h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 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 Route 61 for about 54.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 28.4 — 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...
8
28.4 mi into trip|~34m in|US 10; US 61
Take the exit onto US 10; US 61 toward US 10 East, US 61 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 244
Toward US 10 East, US 61 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.69 one way
$45.39 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$24.44
$48.88
premium
$5.04
$26.75
$53.49
diesel
$5.64
$29.95
$59.90
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: 47.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40.5
0
$14.16
$6.48
Efficient EV
33.7
0
$11.80
$5.40
EV Truck/SUV
54
0
$18.89
$8.63
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 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 May 15, 2026
Origin
Maple Grove, MN
Morning
in Maple Grove on Friday
Local time
11:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Winona, MN
Morning
in Winona on Friday
Local time
11:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Vermillion, MN
67 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
1 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 59m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 83% of the 134.9 miles on main roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 54.1 miles on Route 61, which offers a good opportunity for steady cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely be gradual, with exits becoming less frequent as you approach your destination.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.1 mi on Route 61.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Route 61 and US 10. 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 Effort9/10
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 134.9 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.
Winona, known as the Island City, is a historic river and college town in Southeastern Minnesota, located on a large sandbar among the bluffs along the Mississippi River. It is about 110 miles southeast of the Twin Cities.
Top landmarks
•Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka — basilica church in Winona, Minnesota, United States
•Merchants National Bank — bank building in Winona, Minnesota, United States
•Sugar Loaf — bluff in Winona, Minnesota, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 59m. Total distance: 134.9 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 (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.1 miles on Route 61. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 Winona, 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 6 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 Winona, MN before heading back.
