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Community Corner

Minnesota State Fair: Getting There From Apple Valley

Construction delays + fair traffic congestion = plan your travels ahead of time

Your plan for visiting the Minnesota State Fair: a fun-packed day of food, rides, animals, music and more. So what’s the best way to get there?

Depends who you ask.

Robin Selvig of the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, which serves the south metro, said bus is best.

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“You don’t have the headaches of finding a parking space, and you’re delivered right to the entrance," she said. "You get on the bus, plan your fun, and when you’re done and tired, get back on and come home.”

In the past, it’s taken about 35 minutes for MVTA’s Express Bus service to the fair, Selvig said.

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“This year, we do face some challenges because of light rail construction and some construction on 94,” she said.

Round trip fare on an MVTA express bus to the fair is $5, but note that these trips depart only from Eagan or Burnsville, so coming from Apple Valley you would need to drive to one of these stations first.

Bus Options

Burnsville Transit Station
Hwy 13 and Nicollet Avenue (just east of Interstate 35W)

  • Buses leave every hour on the hour, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
  • Buses leave every 30 minutes on the half hour, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends & Labor Day.

Weekdays only
Burnsville High School
Hwy 13 and Portland Avenue (just east of I-35W)

  • Buses leave every hour on the hour, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday

Weekends & Labor Day only
Eagan Transit Station
Yankee Doodle Road and Pilot Knob Road (just west of Interstate 35E)

  • Buses leave every 30 minutes on the half hour, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends and Labor Day

Returning Home

Buses leave the fairgrounds every hour on the hour from noon until midnight Monday through Friday; on the weekends and Labor Day, they leave every half hour.

Want to Drive?

Prefer the flexibility of hopping in your car and driving to the fair? Fair staffer Lara Hughes said arriving early increases your chances of getting a parking spot on the fairgrounds.

“Turnover does happen during the day, but there’s no rhyme or reason,” she said.

The normal fee for parking in a state fair lot is $12.

Avoid most of the light-rail construction delays by following one of these routes to the fairgrounds (at 1265 Snelling Ave., St. Paul)from Apple Valley:

  • I-35E north to Highway 36 west. Consider parking in one of the free park and ride lots just north or south of 36 by taking Lexington Parkway, Hamline Avenue or Snelling Avenue. To drive directly to the fairgrounds, go south from 36 onto Hamline, Lexington or Snelling, then west on Larpenteur.
  • I-35E north, to I-94 west, to Highway 280 north. Consider parking in a free park and ride lot off Como Avenue or Larpenteur Avenue east of 280. To drive to the fairgrounds, go east on Como or Larpenteur off 280.
  • Highway 77 north, to I-35W north, to I-94 east, to Highway 280 north. Consider parking in a free park and ride lot off Como Avenue or Larpenteur Avenue east of 280. To drive to the fairgrounds, go east on Como or Larpenteur off 280.

Park Free, Ride Free

Although the I-94 and Snelling Avenue park and ride lot is closed due to light-rail construction, there are plenty of other nearby options.

Buses from these locations run every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. until midnight on the designated days.

Whether you’re driving or busing to the state fair, plan ahead and allow extra time for travel.

Also check out our to ticket prices, fair hours and more.

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