This 126.7-mile drive from Benson, MN to Eden Prairie, MN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 52 minutes. The route primarily utilizes MN 7 and US 12, with highway travel making up about 80% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this is an economical option for a quick getaway or transit within the Midwest. The drive offers a straightforward path, making it a practical choice for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.3 miles from Benson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 7
39.8 mi
51m
US 12
27.5 mi
38m
highway 7 West
16.1 mi
20m
Highway 71 South
10.6 mi
13m
195th Avenue
10.3 mi
13m
Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
5.6 mi
7m
State Highway 7 East
4.5 mi
6m
West 78th Street
2.2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
MN 7
— 39.8 mi, about 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
1
Start on this road
132 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MN 9
0.9 mi·2 min·Atlantic Avenue
3
Continue on US 12
27 mi·38 min·US 12
4
Turn right onto CR 55
2.1 mi·2 min·County Road 55
5
Continue on CR 15; CR 5
0.2 mi·16 sec·CR 15; CR 5
6
At end of road, turn right onto CR 5
0.2 mi·24 sec·45th Street Southwest
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·50 sec
8
Merge onto MN 23
2.2 mi·2 min·MN 23
9
Take the exit onto MN 23 Business
0.4 mi·48 sec·MN 23 Business
Toward US 71 Business, US 71 South: Willmar
10
Turn right onto US 71
11 mi·13 min·Highway 71 South
11
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
296 ft·3 sec·195th Avenue
12
Continue on MN 7
0.1 mi·8 sec·195th Avenue
13
Continue on MN 7
7.9 mi·9 min·MN 7
14
Continue on MN 7
10 mi·13 min·195th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Continue on MN 7
16 mi·20 min·highway 7 West
16
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
0.6 mi·1 min·4th Avenue Northwest
17
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
4.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 7 East
18
Continue on MN 7; CR 4
11 mi·14 min·MN 7; CR 4
19
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
130 ft·2 sec·MN 7
20
Continue on MN 7
9.0 mi·11 min·MN 7
21
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
125 ft·2 sec·MN 7
22
Continue on MN 7
2.5 mi·3 min·MN 7
23
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
185 ft·3 sec·MN 7
24
Continue on MN 7
5.8 mi·7 min·MN 7
25
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
139 ft·2 sec·MN 7
26
Continue on MN 7
3.2 mi·4 min·MN 7
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto CR 13
1.2 mi·2 min·Rolling Acres Road
28
Turn left onto MN 5
0.7 mi·58 sec·Arboretum Boulevard
29
Continue on MN 5
5.6 mi·7 min·Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on MN 5
2.2 mi·3 min·West 78th Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward CH 60: Mitchell RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto Mitchell Road
0.4 mi·52 sec·Mitchell Road
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right onto Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Scenic Heights Road
Use the right lane.
34
Arrive at destination
Scenic Heights Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 3 hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You can easily complete this drive without needing an overnight stop. The estimated fuel cost of $19 makes it an affordable journey, so plan to fill up before you leave Benson to ensure a smooth ride. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Eden Prairie, as the longest stretch without a significant change in road type is nearly 40 miles.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.3 miles from Benson, MN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 39.8 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 28 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.3 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eden Prairie, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benson, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Benson, MN
This is one driving day of about 126.7 miles and 2h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Benson, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on MN 7 for about 39.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 30.7 and 125.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
30.7 mi into trip|~43m in|CR 5 / 45th Street Southwest
At end of road, turn right onto CR 5 / 45th Street Southwest
Navigation decision point
5
33.4 mi into trip|~47m in|MN 23 Business
Take the exit onto MN 23 Business toward US 71 Business, US 71 South: Willmar
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 71 Business, US 71 South: Willmar
5
106.6 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|MN 7
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
125.4 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward CH 60: Mitchell Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CH 60: Mitchell Road
6
125.7 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|Mitchell Road
Turn right onto Mitchell Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.86 one way
$37.71 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$20.32
$40.63
premium
$4.53
$22.61
$45.21
diesel
$5.61
$27.97
$55.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38
0
$13.30
$6.08
Efficient EV
31.7
0
$11.09
$5.07
EV Truck/SUV
50.7
0
$17.74
$8.11
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Benson, MN
Night
in Benson on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eden Prairie, MN
Night
in Eden Prairie on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Hutchinson, MN
63 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
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
2 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 126.7-mile journey, with 80% of the route on major roadways like MN 7 and US 12. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of driving, 39.8 miles on MN 7, before needing to consider a break. While largely a highway experience, the transition between these main roads is generally smooth. This route prioritizes efficient travel over winding scenic byways.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 39.8 mi on MN 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 7 and US 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 30.7 miles in near CR 5 / 45th Street Southwest.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 52m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 30.7 miles (CR 5 / 45th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (MN 23 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.6 miles (MN 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 52m. Total distance: 126.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 39.8 miles on MN 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.7 miles (CR 5 / 45th Street Southwest): Navigation decision point; at 33.4 miles (MN 23 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 106.6 miles (MN 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Eden Prairie, MN before heading back.
