How far is Maple Grove, MN from Howard Lake, MN?

The driving distance from Maple Grove, MN to Howard Lake, MN is about 39.8 miles (64.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.1 miles (48.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m 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
39.84 mi
00h 56m
Flight
30.14 mi
48.51 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
30.14 mi
Kilometers
48.51 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.84 mi
Kilometers
64.12 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Howard Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 5:09 AM CDT
Return by in Maple Grove
Thu, Apr 23, 6:05 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Maple Grove
2026-04-23T04:13
Arrive Howard Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 5:09 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:38 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
Independence
MN

City in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States

From Maple Grove
19.9 mi
00h 28m
To Howard Lake
19.9 mi
00h 28m

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
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maple Grove and Howard Lake.

  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

    1.1 km · 1 min · 6th Street

  21. 21

    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 Howard Lake.

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
21 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
52.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 12
11.6 mi · 29%
Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
11 mi · 28%
I 494 South
6.41 mi · 16%
Babcock Boulevard
6.1 mi · 15%
US 12 West
1.13 mi · 3%
Nelson Boulevard
1.09 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa

Merge slight left onto Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa

11 mi · 00h 15m

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 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.7 mi
30.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Independence
00h 28m from Maple Grove
Leave By
4:38 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Maple Grove and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Howard Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Maple Grove to Howard Lake?

The road trip is about 39.8 miles (64.1 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Independence is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.9 miles from Maple Grove and 19.9 miles from Howard Lake.

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

The direct path is about 30.1 miles (48.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.7 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 4:38 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.03 one way or $10.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Maple Grove and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Howard Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Independence

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

42 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

St. Cloud

69 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Red Wing station

105 mi away
420 Levee Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Maple Grove and Howard Lake. Straight-line distance: 30.14 mi (48.51 km).

Maple Grove

#1 Maple Grove

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population72,881
Coordinates45.0724600, -93.4557900
Altitude287
CountryUnited States
Howard Lake

#2 Howard Lake

City in Wright County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population2,162
Coordinates45.0608000, -94.0733100
Altitude310
CountryUnited States
Start: Maple Grove (-93.45579, 45.07246)
End: Howard Lake (-94.07331, 45.0608)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 64 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.41 gal
5.32 L · about $5.03
Round trip
$10.06
2.82 gal · 10.64 L
Estimated CO2
12.5 kg one way
Round trip: 25.1 kg / 55 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $5.03 $10.06
Mid-grade $3.92 $5.53 $11.06
Premium $4.39 $6.19 $12.39
Diesel $4.86 $6.86 $13.72

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 Howard Lake. The current time is 04:13:10.

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.