How far is Apple Valley, MN from Cottage Grove, MN?
The driving distance from Apple Valley, MN to Cottage Grove, MN is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15 miles (24.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Apple Valley and Cottage Grove.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley and Cottage Grove.
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1
Start on County Road 42
11 m · 6 sec · County Road 42
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2
Turn right onto Cedar Avenue
2.9 mi · 4 min · Cedar Avenue
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3
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North: Saint Paul
1.4 km · 2 min
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4
Merge slight left
5.9 mi · 6 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, I 494 East
1450 ft · 35 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 494 East
1.1 km · 2 min
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7
Merge slight left
6.8 mi · 9 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East, US 61 South: Hastings
1.1 km · 50 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward 80th Street, Grange Boulevard
1685 ft · 43 sec
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11
Turn left onto 80th Street South
1895 ft · 52 sec · 80th Street South
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12
Turn right onto East Point Douglas Road South
1046 ft · 35 sec · East Point Douglas Road South
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13
Turn left onto East Point Douglas Road South
1543 ft · 49 sec · East Point Douglas Road South
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14
Turn left onto Hillside Trail
1.1 km · 2 min · Hillside Trail
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15
Turn right onto Hyde Avenue South
18 m · 3 sec · Hyde Avenue South
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Hyde Avenue South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Apple Valley and Cottage Grove.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 494 East
Merge slight left
6.8 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Apple Valley and Sunny near Cottage Grove.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Apple Valley to Cottage Grove?
The road trip is about 23.4 miles (37.6 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Sunfish Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.7 miles from Apple Valley and 11.7 miles from Cottage Grove.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15 miles (24.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.93 one way or $5.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Apple Valley and Sunny near Cottage Grove.
Stop Ideas Near Sunfish Lake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Minneapolis City Hall
City of Bloomington
Mall of America®
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sunfish Lake.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Apple Valley and Cottage Grove. Straight-line distance: 14.98 mi (24.1 km).
#1 Apple Valley
A city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 54,847 |
| Coordinates | 44.7319100, -93.2177200 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottage Grove
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 38,170 |
| Coordinates | 44.8277400, -92.9438200 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottage Grove (-92.94382, 44.82774)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $2.93 | $5.85 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $3.22 | $6.43 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $3.99 | $7.98 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Minnesota · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.