How far is Cottage Grove, MN from Apple Valley, MN?
The driving distance from Cottage Grove, MN to Apple Valley, MN is about 24.5 miles (39.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15 miles (24.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m 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 28m.
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 Cottage Grove and Apple Valley.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cottage Grove and Apple Valley.
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1
Start on Hyde Avenue South
18 m · 8 sec · Hyde Avenue South
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2
Turn left onto Hillside Trail
1.1 km · 2 min · Hillside Trail
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Point Douglas Road South
1331 ft · 38 sec · East Point Douglas Road South
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4
Turn slight right
67 m · 12 sec
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5
Turn straight onto East Point Douglas Road South
981 ft · 30 sec · East Point Douglas Road South
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6
Turn left onto 80th Street South
1286 ft · 35 sec · 80th Street South
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7
Take the ramp slight right toward US 10 West, US 61 North
1542 ft · 38 sec
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8
Merge slight left
3.6 mi · 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, I 494 East
1940 ft · 28 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 West
1.3 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
3.1 mi · 4 min
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12
Keep slight left
3.7 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Albert Lea, Saint Paul
1172 ft · 29 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South: Albert Lea
1.3 km · 2 min
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15
Merge slight left
6.1 mi · 7 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
1524 ft · 37 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
1834 ft · 45 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
1406 ft · 34 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue
3.2 mi · 5 min · Cedar Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road 42
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cottage Grove 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.
I 35E South
Merge slight left
6.07 mi · 00h 07m
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 Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove to Apple Valley?
The road trip is about 24.5 miles (39.4 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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 12.2 miles from Cottage Grove and 12.2 miles from Apple Valley.
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 9.5 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 7:32 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.07 one way or $6.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Cottage Grove and Sunny near Apple Valley.
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 Cottage Grove and Apple Valley. Straight-line distance: 14.98 mi (24.1 km).
#1 Cottage Grove
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 38,170 |
| Coordinates | 44.8277400, -92.9438200 |
| Altitude | 248 |
| 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: 39 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 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 | $3.07 | $6.14 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $3.37 | $6.74 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.78 | $7.55 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $4.18 | $8.37 |
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.