How far is Detroit Lakes, MN from Apple Valley, MN?

The driving distance from Detroit Lakes, MN to Apple Valley, MN is about 222.1 miles (357.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 191.8 miles (308.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
222.14 mi
03h 37m
Flight
191.79 mi
308.66 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Detroit Lakes.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
191.79 mi
Kilometers
308.66 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
222.14 mi
Kilometers
357.5 km
Drive Time
03h 37m

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 03h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Apple Valley
Tue, May 5, 7:41 AM CDT
Return by in Detroit Lakes
Tue, May 5, 11:18 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Detroit Lakes
2026-05-05T04:03
Arrive Apple Valley
Tue, May 5, 7:41 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:38 AM to 11:38 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:44 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Detroit Lakes
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Gregory
MN

Human settlement in United States of America

From Detroit Lakes
109.2 mi
01h 48m
To Apple Valley
113 mi
01h 48m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit Lakes and Apple Valley.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes and Apple Valley.

  1. 1

    Start on Washington Avenue

    734 ft · 32 sec · Washington Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right

    44.3 mi · 51 min

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route

    31 m · 2 sec

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout

    20 m · 1 sec

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto Ash Avenue Northwest

    7.3 mi · 8 min · Ash Avenue Northwest

  6. 6

    Continue on West Mason Avenue

    78.4 mi · 1 hr 30 min · West Mason Avenue

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    26.1 mi · 31 min

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

  9. 9

    Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

  10. 10

    Continue on County Road 11

    1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 11

  11. 11

    Turn right onto State Highway 25

    540 ft · 12 sec · State Highway 25

  12. 12

    Continue on Pine Street

    1652 ft · 43 sec · Pine Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Broadway Street East

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Broadway Street East

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Fenning Avenue

    1727 ft · 40 sec · Fenning Avenue

  15. 15

    Take the ramp left

    1892 ft · 54 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    21.1 mi · 23 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South

    2227 ft · 32 sec

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    24.7 mi · 31 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 77 South

    1595 ft · 39 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on MN 77 South: Killebrew Drive

    1376 ft · 34 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right to continue on MN 77 South

    2261 ft · 55 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue South

    8.6 mi · 11 min · Cedar Avenue South

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road 42

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit Lakes and Apple Valley.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Mason Avenue
105 mi · 47%
I 494 South
25.2 mi · 11%
Fenning Avenue
21.8 mi · 10%
Cedar Avenue South
8.56 mi · 4%
Ash Avenue Northwest
7.26 mi · 3%
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

West Mason Avenue

Continue on West Mason Avenue

78.4 mi · 01h 30m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 37m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.3 mi
191.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gregory
01h 48m from Detroit Lakes
Leave By
9:44 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Detroit Lakes and Mostly Sunny near Apple Valley.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Detroit Lakes to Apple Valley?

The road trip is about 222.1 miles (357.5 km) and usually takes 03h 37m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Gregory is a useful midpoint, sitting about 109.2 miles from Detroit Lakes and 113 miles from Apple Valley.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 191.8 miles (308.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:44 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.98 one way or $55.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Detroit Lakes and Mostly Sunny near Apple Valley.

Stop Ideas Near Gregory

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gregory, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gregory.

RAIL

St. Cloud

44 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

57 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Detroit Lakes and Apple Valley. Straight-line distance: 191.79 mi (308.66 km).

Detroit Lakes

#1 Detroit Lakes

City in Minnesota, United States

Population9,255
Coordinates46.8171800, -95.8453300
Altitude418
CountryUnited States
Apple Valley

#2 Apple Valley

A city in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Population54,847
Coordinates44.7319100, -93.2177200
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Start: Washington Avenue (-95.845349, 46.817181)
End: 150th Street West (-93.21772, 44.731938)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 358 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.84 gal
29.67 L · about $27.98
Round trip
$55.96
15.68 gal · 59.34 L
Estimated CO2
69.7 kg one way
Round trip: 139.3 kg / 307 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $27.98 $55.96
Mid-grade $3.92 $30.74 $61.48
Premium $4.39 $34.43 $68.87
Diesel $4.86 $38.13 $76.27

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Detroit Lakes and Apple Valley. The current time is 04:03:32.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.