Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Eagan, MN to Brunswick, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 38m

Distance

77.3 mi

124 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 43m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Minnesota, United States

Eagan, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Brunswick, MN, MN

Brunswick, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

Eagan, MN to Brunswick, MN is 77.3 miles and takes about 1h 38m via Central Avenue Northeast and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically Minnesota, offering a straightforward journey. It's a relatively short trip, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, so be prepared for a blend of highway speeds and local road conditions. With a low fuel cost and manageable duration, this route is a practical option for connecting these two Minnesota locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

38.6 miles from Eagan, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Central Avenue Northeast 47.1 mi 57m
I 35E 15.3 mi 21m
US 10 11.2 mi 13m
Pilot Knob Road 1.7 mi 2m
Legend Street 0.7 mi 1m
State Highway 70 0.5 mi <1m
Purple Heart Memorial Highway <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Central Avenue Northeast — 47.1 mi, about 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eagan, MN and Brunswick, MN.

1

Start on CR 31

1.7 mi · 2 min · Pilot Knob Road
Use the left lane.
2

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 35E North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3

Merge onto I 35E

6.9 mi · 9 min · I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

2.7 mi · 4 min · I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

0.4 mi · 35 sec · I 35E
6

Merge onto I 35E; I 94

350 ft · 5 sec · Purple Heart Memorial Highway
7

Take the exit onto I 35E

5.2 mi · 6 min · I 35E
Exit 242B Toward I 35E North, US 10 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

0.3 mi · 19 sec · US 10
Exit 113-114 Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on US 10

3.9 mi · 4 min · US 10
Exit 113 Toward I 694 West, US 10 West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit onto US 10

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · US 10
Toward I 35W North, US 10 West Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 10
Toward US 10 West Use the slight right lane.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward MN 65: Central Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

222 ft · 6 sec
15

Turn right onto MN 65

47 mi · 57 min · Central Avenue Northeast
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto CR 46

0.7 mi · 1 min · Legend Street
17

Turn right onto MN 70

0.5 mi · 46 sec · State Highway 70
18

Arrive at destination

MN 70

Trip Plan

Given the 1h 38m duration, this is a perfect one-day trip, and you have the flexibility to leave whenever you prefer. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid early rush hour traffic in the Eagan area. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Since the longest stretch on Central Avenue Northeast is over 47 miles, plan a brief stop before or after that segment for a stretch or to grab a quick snack if needed. Keep an eye out for transitions between I-35E and the local roads as you approach Brunswick, as this is where speed limits will change.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 38.6 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.1 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 17 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 38.6 miles or 50m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brunswick, MN than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Eagan, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Eagan, MN

This is one driving day of about 77.3 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Eagan, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Central Avenue Northeast for about 47.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Blaine, MN

39 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

Saint Paul, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ham Lake, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 38.6 miles from Eagan, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cafe Astoria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16513409471

Visit website

Forepaugh's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

0.4 mi

Crasqui Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

1.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

yellowbird coffee bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 11

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16514937134

Visit website

Abogados Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Paul, Minnesota

2.3 mi

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Blaine, Minnesota

1.9 mi

Cafe Astoria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16513409471

Visit website

Forepaugh's Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $100 or ab mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 3:30–10:30 pm

+16516663636

Visit website

Crasqui Restaurant

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19526005578

Visit website

Teresa's Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30

Eagan, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16514409147

Visit website

Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30 mile 5.5

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+16517724388

Visit website

Hodma Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+16512733308

Visit website

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 27.6

New Brighton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16512373486

Visit website

Don Goyo Restaurant Columbia Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 22.1

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17637880299

Visit website

yellowbird coffee bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16514937134

Visit website

Abogados Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 27.6

Blaine, Minnesota

Makwa Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.1

Roseville, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16513007946

Visit website

Luminary Coffeehouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm

Visit website

Crema Coffee + Cream

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.5

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+16128747477

Visit website

Heights Coffee Bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 22.1

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16123149027

Visit website

Minnesota Children's Museum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16512256000

Visit website

Union Depot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16512022700

Visit website

Center For Lost Objects

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 11

St Paul, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+16515042356

Visit website

Eagan Community Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Eagan, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+16516755550

Visit website

Golden Lake Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 27.6

Circle Pines, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+17637845898

Visit website

Splash Valley Water Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Apple Valley, Minnesota

+19529532300

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 25.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
9 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 35E

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
12.2 mi into trip | ~18m 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
17.4 mi into trip | ~24m 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
24.4 mi into trip | ~33m in | US 10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward I 35W North, US 10 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 35W North, US 10 West
7
25.8 mi into trip | ~35m in | US 10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 10 West

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$11.50 one way

$23.01 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $12.40 $24.79
premium $4.53 $13.79 $27.58
diesel $5.61 $17.07 $34.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 27 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 23.2 0 $8.12 $3.71
Efficient EV 19.3 0 $6.76 $3.09
EV Truck/SUV 30.9 0 $10.82 $4.95

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (67% 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 18, 2026

Origin

Eagan, MN

Late night in Eagan on Sunday

Local time

2:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

30°F

Partly Cloudy

NW 10 to 15 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Destination

Brunswick, MN

Late night in Brunswick on Sunday

Local time

2:34 AM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live 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

34 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

1h 38m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This route features a highway share of 35%, indicating a good portion of your drive will be on faster roads like I-35E. However, you'll also navigate local streets, particularly at the beginning and end of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.1 miles on Central Avenue Northeast, which suggests a significant segment where you can maintain a steady pace. The overall profile is a 'mixed drive,' meaning you'll transition between different types of roads, so pay attention to changing speed limits and road conditions.

35% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.1 mi on Central Avenue Northeast.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 9 miles in near I 35E.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 77.3 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

Starting in Eagan, MN

Full guide →

Eagan is a city of 69,000 people (2021) in Minnesota on the south bank of the Minnesota River, upstream from the confluence with the Mississippi River. It is a suburb in the southern part of the Twin Cities region.

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 1h 38m. Total distance: 77.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (35%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 47.1 miles on Central Avenue Northeast. 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 Brunswick, 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 9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brunswick, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Brunswick, MN

Woodbury, MN 75.9 mi · 1h 35m Bloomington, MN 74.2 mi · 1h 33m Minneapolis, MN 64.1 mi · 1h 21m Blaine, MN 46.5 mi · 57m

More from Eagan, MN

Grand Rapids, MN 191.3 mi · 4h Elbow Lake, MN 179.1 mi · 3h 24m Cross Lake, MN 165.3 mi · 3h 32m Duluth, MN 161.7 mi · 3h 3m Cloquet, MN 144.7 mi · 2h 43m Cottonwood, MN 142 mi · 3h 2m
Escape planner: Eagan, MN Scenic drives in MN

Explore more options from Eagan, MN or browse trips ending in Brunswick, MN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.