How far is Maple Grove, MN from Atwater, MN?

The driving distance from Maple Grove, MN to Atwater, MN is about 76.9 miles (123.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64.6 miles (104 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 28m 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
76.93 mi
01h 44m
Flight
64.64 mi
104.03 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Maple Grove.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
64.64 mi
Kilometers
104.03 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
76.93 mi
Kilometers
123.81 km
Drive Time
01h 44m

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 01h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Atwater
Wed, Apr 15, 3:27 AM CDT
Return by in Maple Grove
Wed, Apr 15, 5:12 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Maple Grove
2026-04-15T01:43
Arrive Atwater
Wed, Apr 15, 3:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:44 AM to 11:44 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:02 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Maple Grove
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
Howard Lake
MN

City in Wright County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Maple Grove
38.4 mi
00h 52m
To Atwater
38.5 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph WSW
Destination
59°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Maple Grove and Atwater.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove and Atwater.

  1. 1

    Start on Bass Lake Road

    2569 ft · 54 sec · Bass Lake Road

  2. 2

    Take the ramp right toward I 494 South

    89 m · 7 sec

  3. 3

    Keep slight left to continue on I 494 South

    1372 ft · 35 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    6.1 mi · 8 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West: Wayzata

    3130 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on US 12 West: Wayzata

    2840 ft · 53 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa

    11 mi · 15 min · Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90

    41 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  9. 9

    Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard

    2 mi · 3 min · Babcock Boulevard

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Babcock Boulevard

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Babcock Boulevard

  11. 11

    Continue on US 12

    3.6 mi · 5 min · US 12

  12. 12

    Continue on 60th Street Southeast

    1234 ft · 19 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  13. 13

    Continue on US 12

    1 km · 51 sec · US 12

  14. 14

    Turn slight right onto 60th Street Southeast

    2418 ft · 39 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto US 12

    1.3 mi · 2 min · US 12

  16. 16

    Continue on Nelson Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Nelson Boulevard

  17. 17

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  18. 18

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on US 12

    4.1 mi · 6 min · US 12

  20. 20

    Continue on 6th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  21. 21

    Continue on 60th Street Southwest

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 60th Street Southwest

  22. 22

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  23. 23

    Continue on Cokato Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Cokato Street

  24. 24

    Continue on 50th Street Southwest

    2.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Street Southwest

  25. 25

    Continue on US 12

    2 mi · 2 min · US 12

  26. 26

    Continue on Parker Avenue East

    11.8 mi · 13 min · Parker Avenue East

  27. 27

    Turn right onto North Sibley Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Sibley Avenue

  28. 28

    Continue on US Highway 12

    12.8 mi · 17 min · US Highway 12

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Main Street North

    44 m · 6 sec · Main Street North

  30. 30

    Turn right onto Minnesota Avenue

    47 m · 9 sec · Minnesota Avenue

  31. 31

    Turn right

    41 m · 10 sec

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Maple Grove and Atwater.

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
32 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 12
15.4 mi · 20%
US Highway 12
12.8 mi · 17%
Parker Avenue East
11.8 mi · 15%
Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
11 mi · 14%
I 494 South
6.41 mi · 8%
Babcock Boulevard
6.1 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 12

Continue on US Highway 12

12.8 mi · 00h 17m

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
01h 44m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.3 mi
64.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Howard Lake
00h 52m from Maple Grove
Leave By
3:02 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Maple Grove and Chance Rain Showers near Atwater.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Maple Grove to Atwater?

The road trip is about 76.9 miles (123.8 km) and usually takes 01h 44m 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?

Howard Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 38.4 miles from Maple Grove and 38.5 miles from Atwater.

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

The direct path is about 64.6 miles (104 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:02 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.71 one way or $19.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Maple Grove and Chance Rain Showers near Atwater.

Stop Ideas Near Howard Lake

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Howard Lake, 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 Howard Lake.

RAIL

St. Cloud

57 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

71 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Maple Grove and Atwater. Straight-line distance: 64.64 mi (104.03 km).

Maple Grove

#1 Maple Grove

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population72,881
Coordinates45.0724600, -93.4557900
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Atwater

Human settlement in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,113
Coordinates45.1388500, -94.7780600
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Start: Maple Grove (-93.45579, 45.07246)
End: Atwater (-94.77806, 45.13885)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 124 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 16m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.72 gal
10.28 L · about $9.71
Round trip
$19.42
5.44 gal · 20.56 L
Estimated CO2
24.2 kg one way
Round trip: 48.3 kg / 106 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $9.71 $19.42
Mid-grade $3.92 $10.67 $21.33
Premium $4.39 $11.95 $23.89
Diesel $4.86 $13.23 $26.46

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Maple Grove and Atwater. The current time is 01:43:56.

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.