How far is Forest Lake, MN from Apple Valley, MN?

The driving distance from Forest Lake, MN to Apple Valley, MN is about 44.1 miles (70.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.5 miles (63.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
44.09 mi
00h 46m
Flight
39.46 mi
63.51 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Forest Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.46 mi
Kilometers
63.51 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.09 mi
Kilometers
70.95 km
Drive Time
00h 46m

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 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Apple Valley
Wed, May 13, 2:12 PM CDT
Return by in Forest Lake
Wed, May 13, 2:58 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Forest Lake
2026-05-13T13:25
Arrive Apple Valley
Wed, May 13, 2:12 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:56 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Forest Lake
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Little Canada
MN

City in Ramsey County, Minnesota

From Forest Lake
22.3 mi
00h 23m
To Apple Valley
21.7 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNW
Destination
70°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Forest Lake and Apple Valley.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Forest Lake and Apple Valley.

  1. 1

    Start on Lake Street South

    83 m · 15 sec · Lake Street South

  2. 2

    Continue on Lake Street South

    93 m · 9 sec · Lake Street South

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Broadway Avenue

    59 m · 11 sec · West Broadway Avenue

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto West Broadway Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · West Broadway Avenue

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward CR 2: Forest Lake

    1345 ft · 35 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    4 mi · 4 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Saint Paul

    9.9 mi · 11 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 96

    1444 ft · 39 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right

    150 m · 12 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Centerville Road

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Centerville Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto County Road E

    2230 ft · 1 min · County Road E

  12. 12

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 35E South: Saint Paul

    69 m · 5 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South

    1455 ft · 38 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right

    1.1 km · 49 sec

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight left toward I 35E South

    14.1 mi · 18 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue

    1524 ft · 37 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue

    1834 ft · 45 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue

    1406 ft · 34 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Cedar Avenue

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Road 42

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Forest Lake and Apple Valley.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
3 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
49.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35E South
22.2 mi · 50%
Saint Paul
9.86 mi · 22%
CR 2
4.27 mi · 10%
Cedar Avenue
3.25 mi · 7%
Centerville Road
2.3 mi · 5%
West Broadway Avenue
0.99 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 35E South

Take the exit slight left toward I 35E South

14.1 mi · 00h 19m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 46m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.6 mi
39.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Little Canada
00h 23m from Forest Lake
Leave By
4:56 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake to Apple Valley?

The road trip is about 44.1 miles (70.9 km) and usually takes 00h 46m 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?

Little Canada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.3 miles from Forest Lake and 21.7 miles from Apple Valley.

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

The direct path is about 39.5 miles (63.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 4:56 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.57 one way or $11.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Forest Lake and Sunny near Apple Valley.

Stop Ideas Near Little Canada

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Little Canada and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 8.8 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
St. Louis Park City Hall
Meeting point 13 mi away

St. Louis Park City Hall

Saint Louis Park , MN
5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Rating 2.9/5 21 reviews City government office
Mall of America®
Nearby stop 12.9 mi away

Mall of America®

Bloomington , MN
60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, United States
Rating 4.6/5 44,911 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Little Canada.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

10 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

67 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

93 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

St. Cloud

102 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Forest Lake and Apple Valley. Straight-line distance: 39.46 mi (63.51 km).

Forest Lake

#1 Forest Lake

City in Washington County, Minnesota, United States

Population21,285
Coordinates45.2788600, -92.9852200
Altitude278
CountryUnited States
Apple Valley

#2 Apple Valley

A city in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Population54,847
Coordinates44.7319100, -93.2177200
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake St S (-92.985285, 45.278849)
End: 150th Street West (-93.21772, 44.731938)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 71 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.56 gal
5.89 L · about $5.57
Round trip
$11.14
3.12 gal · 11.78 L
Estimated CO2
13.9 kg one way
Round trip: 27.7 kg / 61 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $5.57 $11.14
Mid-grade $3.92 $6.12 $12.23
Premium $4.39 $6.85 $13.70
Diesel $4.86 $7.59 $15.18

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Forest Lake and Apple Valley. The current time is 13:25:32.

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.