Origin
Afton, MN
Late night in Afton on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Afton, MN to Eden Prairie, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
50m
Distance
36.4 mi
59 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
0h 59m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Afton, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Eden Prairie, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a straightforward commute across the Twin Cities metro, the 36.4-mile trip from Afton to Eden Prairie is a practical choice. You can easily complete this drive in about 50 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting roughly $5 for fuel should cover your needs for the journey. Since both locations are situated within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition between these Minnesota communities. It is a no-nonsense route that favors efficiency over sightseeing, ideal for those who prefer to keep their travel time predictable and manageable.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 | 18.3 mi | 22m |
| Bailey Road | 7.2 mi | 10m |
| Wakota Bridge | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| 40th Street South | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Afton Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| MN 5 | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Maxwell Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Mitchell Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 494
— 18.3 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Afton, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
1
Start on CH 18
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Afton Boulevard
2
Continue on CH 18
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
40th Street South
3
Continue on CH 18
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bailey Road
4
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
124 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bailey Road
5
Continue on CH 18
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bailey Road
Use the straight lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
122 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bailey Road
7
Continue on CH 18
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bailey Road
8
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
146 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bailey Road
9
Continue on CH 18
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Bailey Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on CH 18
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Maxwell Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 494 West
12
Continue on Wakota Bridge
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Wakota Bridge
Toward I 494 West
Use the straight lane.
13
Merge onto I 494
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Wakota Bridge
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494
18 mi
·
22 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 494; MN 5
16
Take the exit onto MN 5
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
MN 5
Exit 11C
Toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward CR 60: Mitchell Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto CR 60
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Mitchell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Scenic Heights Road
Use the right lane.
20
Arrive at destination
Scenic Heights Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.2 miles from Afton, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 12 and 35.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
12 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the ramp toward I 494 West
Navigation decision point
Toward I 494 West
5
12.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 494 / Wakota Bridge
Merge onto I 494 / Wakota Bridge
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
15.3 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
I 494
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
33.6 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
MN 5
Take the exit onto MN 5 toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 11C
Toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
6
35.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward CR 60: Mitchell Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CR 60: Mitchell Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.42 one way
$10.83 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $5.84 | $11.67 |
| premium | $4.53 | $6.49 | $12.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.04 | $16.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.9 | 0 | $3.82 | $1.75 |
| Efficient EV | 9.1 | 0 | $3.18 | $1.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.10 | $2.33 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Eden Prairie, MN
Late night in Eden Prairie on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
50m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed driving profile that transitions from local roads to major arterials as you move across the region. You will spend about 55% of your trip on highways, with a significant portion of the journey utilizing I-494. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 18.3-mile run on I-494, which serves as the backbone of this route. Navigating the Wakota Bridge and Bailey Road provides a change of pace from the interstate grind. Overall, the road personality shifts from quieter local paths to a busier, high-speed flow, requiring you to stay alert as traffic density fluctuates throughout the drive.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.3 mi on I 494.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 36.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles: Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles (I 494 / Wakota Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (I 494): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Afton, MN
Full guide →Afton is a city in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. It lies nearly on the banks of the Saint Croix River, which forms the natural eastern border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Arriving in Eden Prairie, MN
Full guide →Eden Prairie is a suburban city in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 50m. Total distance: 36.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (55%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.3 miles on I 494. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Eden Prairie, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 12 miles: Navigation decision point; at 12.3 miles (I 494 / Wakota Bridge): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.3 miles (I 494): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Eden Prairie, MN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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