How far is Brainerd, MN from Apple Valley, MN?
The driving distance from Brainerd, MN to Apple Valley, MN is about 150.1 miles (241.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122 miles (196.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 24m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brainerd and Apple Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brainerd and Apple Valley.
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1
Start on South 6th Street
821 ft · 26 sec · South 6th Street
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2
Turn right onto Laurel Street
2735 ft · 1 min · Laurel Street
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3
Continue on West Laurel Street
3165 ft · 1 min · West Laurel Street
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4
Continue on Highland Scenic Drive South
1.2 mi · 2 min · Highland Scenic Drive South
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Highland Scenic Drive South
33 m · 3 sec · Highland Scenic Drive South
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Highland Scenic Drive South
1.3 mi · 2 min · Highland Scenic Drive South
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7
Turn left onto C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
25.8 mi · 30 min · C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
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8
Merge slight right
20.5 mi · 24 min
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9
Continue straight
7.8 mi · 9 min
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10
Keep slight left
26.1 mi · 31 min
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11
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast
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12
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast
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13
Continue on County Road 11
1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11
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14
Turn right onto State Highway 25
540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25
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15
Continue on Pine Street
1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street
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16
Turn left onto Broadway Street East
1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East
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17
Turn right onto Fenning Avenue
1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue
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18
Take the ramp left
1892 ft · 54 sec
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19
Merge slight left
21.1 mi · 23 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South
2227 ft · 32 sec
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21
Continue straight
24.7 mi · 31 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward MN 77 South
1595 ft · 39 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on MN 77 South: Killebrew Drive
1376 ft · 34 sec
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24
Keep slight right to continue on MN 77 South
2261 ft · 55 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue South
8.6 mi · 11 min · Cedar Avenue South
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 42
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brainerd and Apple Valley.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
C. Elmer Anderson Memorial Highway
Keep slight left
26.1 mi · 00h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Brainerd and Sunny near Apple Valley.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brainerd to Apple Valley?
The road trip is about 150.1 miles (241.5 km) and usually takes 02h 24m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clear Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.1 miles from Brainerd and 76.9 miles from Apple Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122 miles (196.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.88 one way or $37.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Brainerd and Sunny near Apple Valley.
Stop Ideas Near Clear Lake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clear Lake.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Staples
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brainerd and Apple Valley. Straight-line distance: 122.01 mi (196.35 km).
#1 Brainerd
City in Minnesota
| Population | 13,449 |
| Coordinates | 46.3580200, -94.2008300 |
| Altitude | 371 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Apple Valley
A city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 54,847 |
| Coordinates | 44.7319100, -93.2177200 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| Country | United States |
End: 150th Street West (-93.21772, 44.731938)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 241 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $18.88 | $37.76 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $20.74 | $41.48 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $23.23 | $46.47 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $25.73 | $51.46 |
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 · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.