How far is Columbia Heights, MN from Apple Valley, MN?
The driving distance from Columbia Heights, MN to Apple Valley, MN is about 24.9 miles (40 km), with a travel time of about 00h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.4 miles (34.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 06m 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 33m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States
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 Columbia Heights and Apple Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia Heights and Apple Valley.
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1
Start on University Avenue Northeast
18 m · 8 sec · University Avenue Northeast
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2
Continue on University Avenue Northeast
2017 ft · 48 sec · University Avenue Northeast
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3
Continue on Northeast University Avenue
4.1 mi · 10 min · Northeast University Avenue
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 35W South
967 ft · 15 sec
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5
Merge slight left
6.2 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward MN 62 East, MN 62 West
1773 ft · 43 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on MN 62 East, MN 62 West, CR 35: Portland Avenue, Lyndale Avenue
1607 ft · 39 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on MN 62 East, CR 35: Portland Avenue
1285 ft · 31 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on MN 62 East
1195 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Crosstown Highway
1.5 km · 1 min · Crosstown Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MN 77 South
1836 ft · 45 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue South
11.6 mi · 15 min · Cedar Avenue South
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 42
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia Heights and Apple Valley.
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.
Cedar Avenue South
Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue South
11.6 mi · 00h 15m
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 Columbia Heights 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 Columbia Heights to Apple Valley?
The road trip is about 24.9 miles (40 km) and usually takes 00h 33m 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?
Richfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.4 miles from Columbia Heights and 12.4 miles from Apple Valley.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.4 miles (34.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.5 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 $3.14 one way or $6.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Columbia Heights and Sunny near Apple Valley.
Stop Ideas Near Richfield
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 Richfield.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
St. Cloud
Menomonie, WI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia Heights and Apple Valley. Straight-line distance: 21.46 mi (34.53 km).
#1 Columbia Heights
City in Anoka County, Minnesota
| Population | 20,381 |
| Coordinates | 45.0408000, -93.2630000 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| 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: 40 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $3.14 | $6.28 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $3.45 | $6.90 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.86 | $7.73 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $4.28 | $8.56 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.