The drive from Burnsville, MN to Jordan, MN covers 223.6 miles and takes about 4h 40m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, I 35E, Highway 2 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mostly highway.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 127.3 miles on I 35.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.41 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
111.8 miles from Burnsville, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
127.3 mi
2h 19m
I 35E
36.6 mi
44m
Highway 2
24.5 mi
42m
MN 61
23.5 mi
32m
National Forest Hwy 11
2.4 mi
4m
Cliff Road East
2.1 mi
3m
MN 13
2 mi
2m
7th Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 127.3 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,785 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,381
Quietest
2 AM
~179 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 99 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burnsville, MN and Jordan, MN.
1
Start on Nicollet Avenue South
0.6 mi·1 min·Nicollet Avenue South
2
Turn right onto MN 13
2.0 mi·2 min·MN 13
3
Turn right onto CR 32
2.1 mi·3 min·Cliff Road East
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 35E NorthUse the straight / left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 35E
10 mi·12 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
2.7 mi·4 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
0.4 mi·35 sec·I 35E
8
Merge onto I 35E; I 94
350 ft·5 sec·Purple Heart Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit onto I 35E
5.2 mi·6 min·I 35E
Exit 242BToward I 35E North, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 10
Exit 113-114Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 114Toward I 35E North, I 694 EastUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi·59 sec·I 694
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi·19 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the slight left lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
127 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 35
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Toward MN 61 North
16
Merge onto MN 61
23 mi·32 min·MN 61
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on MN 61
1.1 mi·2 min·7th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto CR 2
1.0 mi·1 min·4th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on CR 2
24 mi·42 min·Highway 2
20
At end of road, turn right onto CR 2; CR 15; FH 11
2.4 mi·4 min·National Forest Hwy 11
21
Turn right onto CR 204
0.4 mi·1 min·CR 204
22
Arrive at destination
CR 204
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 111.8 miles from Burnsville, MN, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.3 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 49 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.8 miles or 2h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jordan, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Burnsville, 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 Burnsville, MN
This is one driving day of about 223.6 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Burnsville, 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 I 35 for about 127.3 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 4.7 and 25.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.7 mi into trip|~8m in
Turn left toward I 35E North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 35E North
8
18.5 mi into trip|~26m in|I 35E
Take the exit onto I 35E toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
23.7 mi into trip|~33m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
24 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
7
25.3 mi into trip|~35m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.41 one way
$70.81 round trip
$4.02/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.28
$37.70
$75.41
premium
$4.85
$42.68
$85.36
diesel
$5.60
$49.29
$98.58
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.1
0
$23.48
$10.73
Efficient EV
55.9
0
$19.57
$8.94
EV Truck/SUV
89.4
1
$31.30
$14.31
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Sep 3, 2026
Origin
Burnsville, MN
Evening
in Burnsville on Friday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Jordan, MN
Evening
in Jordan on Friday
Local time
5:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 40m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
223.6 mi in 4h 40m, mostly highway — 127.3 mi of that is on I 35.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.3 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 223.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 223.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.3 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Jordan, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 18.5 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.7 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Jordan, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
