Maple Grove to Winthrop is 78.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 37 minutes via US 212 and I 494, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, specifically connecting two points in Minnesota. Given its relatively short distance and highway focus, it's a straightforward drive perfect for a quick getaway or an efficient commute. You'll spend most of your time on main arteries, making it a predictable and easy-to-navigate option for a single-day trip.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.2 miles from Maple Grove, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 212
37.5 mi
44m
I 494
13.7 mi
17m
US Highway 212
12.8 mi
15m
State Highway 15
12.6 mi
15m
Bass Lake Road
0.5 mi
<1m
4th Street West
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 37.5 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove, MN and Winthrop, MN.
1
Start on CR 10
0.5 mi·54 sec·Bass Lake Road
2
Take the ramp
293 ft·7 sec
Toward I 494 SouthUse the right lane.
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 494
14 mi·17 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Exit 11CToward MN 5 West, US 212 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 212; MN 5
1.1 mi·1 min·US 212; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 212
36 mi·43 min·US 212
Use the slight left lane.
8
Enter roundabout onto US 212
145 ft·2 sec·US Highway 212
9
Continue on US 212
13 mi·15 min·US Highway 212
10
Turn left onto MN 15
13 mi·15 min·State Highway 15
11
Turn left onto MN 19
0.5 mi·1 min·4th Street West
12
Arrive at destination
MN 19
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of this 1 hour 37 minute drive, you have a lot of flexibility for departure time. Leaving in the morning will get you to Winthrop well before lunch, leaving your afternoon open. With only 78.3 miles, you likely won't need extensive stops, but there are opportunities to pull over if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $12, and plan your last fill-up before hitting the final stretch on US 212. This route is efficient, so consider packing snacks to maximize your time at your destination.
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 39.2 miles from Maple Grove, MN, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.5 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.2 miles or 48m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Winthrop, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Maple Grove, MN
This is one driving day of about 78.3 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 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 212 for about 37.5 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 16 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the ramp toward I 494 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 494 South
8
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 South
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|I 494
Merge onto I 494
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
14.5 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11C
Toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
6
16 mi into trip|~21m in|US 212
Keep slight left at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.65 one way
$23.31 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$12.56
$25.11
premium
$4.53
$13.97
$27.94
diesel
$5.61
$17.29
$34.58
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: 27.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.5
0
$8.22
$3.76
Efficient EV
19.6
0
$6.85
$3.13
EV Truck/SUV
31.3
0
$10.96
$5.01
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Maple Grove, MN
Late night
in Maple Grove on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 2:17PM CDT until April 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 20 at 1:47PM CDT until April 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Winthrop, MN
Late night
in Winthrop on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
7 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 37m 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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the trip on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 37.5 miles on US 212, offering a good opportunity for consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, likely occurring only in the immediate vicinity of your destination. Expect a smooth ride with limited opportunities for frequent stops, as most of the mileage is on limited-access highways.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 37.5 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in.
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 78.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (I 494): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 78.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 37.5 miles on US 212. 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 Winthrop, 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 0.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (I 494): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Winthrop, MN before heading back.
