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

The driving distance from Maple Grove, MN to Dawson, MN is about 143.4 miles (230.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 127.3 miles (204.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 24m 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
143.38 mi
03h 12m
Flight
127.32 mi
204.9 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Maple Grove.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
127.32 mi
Kilometers
204.9 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.38 mi
Kilometers
230.74 km
Drive Time
03h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dawson
Thu, Apr 23, 7:22 AM CDT
Return by in Maple Grove
Thu, Apr 23, 10:34 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Maple Grove
2026-04-23T04:09
Arrive Dawson
Thu, Apr 23, 7:22 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:12 AM to 11:12 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
10:36 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Maple Grove
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
Cosmos
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Maple Grove
71.5 mi
01h 36m
To Dawson
71.9 mi
01h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 to 25 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    9.3 mi · 12 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 7 West

    2682 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Minnesota State Highway 7

    13.2 mi · 18 min · Minnesota State Highway 7

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    40 m · 2 sec

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout

    5.8 mi · 8 min

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    46 m · 3 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    50 m · 3 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout

    9 mi · 11 min

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    37 m · 2 sec

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout

    50.6 mi · 1 hr 6 min

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 195th Avenue

    47 m · 2 sec · 195th Avenue

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto 195th Avenue

    34.7 mi · 45 min · 195th Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    917 ft · 15 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    16.2 mi · 24 min

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 5th Street

    1419 ft · 41 sec · 5th Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Locust Street

    112 m · 18 sec · Locust Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 6th Street

    98 m · 9 sec · 6th Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
13
1 merges, 12 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Minnesota State Highway 7
81.3 mi · 57%
195th Avenue
34.9 mi · 24%
I 494 South
9.62 mi · 7%
MN 7 West
0.51 mi
Bass Lake Road
0.49 mi
5th Street
0.27 mi
Longest Stretch

Minnesota State Highway 7

Exit the roundabout

50.6 mi · 01h 06m

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 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
127.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cosmos
01h 36m from Maple Grove
Leave By
10:36 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Maple Grove and Chance Rain Showers near Dawson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 143.4 miles (230.7 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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?

Cosmos is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.5 miles from Maple Grove and 71.9 miles from Dawson.

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

The direct path is about 127.3 miles (204.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 10:36 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.06 one way or $36.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Maple Grove and Chance Rain Showers near Dawson.

Stop Ideas Near Cosmos

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

82 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

119 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Maple Grove and Dawson. Straight-line distance: 127.32 mi (204.9 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 Dawson

Human settlement in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,378
Coordinates44.9327400, -96.0544800
Altitude319
CountryUnited States
Start: Maple Grove (-93.45579, 45.07246)
End: Dawson (-96.05448, 44.93274)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 231 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.06 gal
19.15 L · about $18.06
Round trip
$36.12
10.12 gal · 38.3 L
Estimated CO2
45 kg one way
Round trip: 89.9 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $18.06 $36.12
Mid-grade $3.92 $19.84 $39.68
Premium $4.39 $22.22 $44.45
Diesel $4.86 $24.61 $49.22

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

There is no time difference between Maple Grove and Dawson. The current time is 04:09:58.

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.