Eagan, MN to Chisholm, MN is 220.8 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 35, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Minnesota. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option if you're looking for efficiency. You can expect a relatively quick travel time given the distance. It's a solid choice for a single-day drive, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
110.4 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
105 mi
1h 52m
I 35E
33.3 mi
40m
US 53
31.5 mi
36m
MN 33
19.8 mi
26m
State Highway 37
17.7 mi
22m
East Beltline
6.6 mi
8m
Pilot Knob Road
1.7 mi
2m
40th Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,017 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~243 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 48 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 Eagan, MN and Chisholm, 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 NorthUse 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 242BToward I 35E North, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 114Toward I 35E North, I 694 EastUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi·59 sec·I 694
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi·19 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 35
13
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi·58 sec·MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft·1 sec·MN 33
15
Continue on MN 33
19 mi·25 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.4 mi·29 sec·MN 33
17
Merge onto US 53
31 mi·36 min·US 53
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·40 sec
19
Turn left
173 ft·2 sec
20
Continue on Specialist Noah Pierce Bridge
384 ft·6 sec·Specialist Noah Pierce Bridge
21
Continue on MN 37
3.9 mi·4 min·State Highway 37
22
Enter roundabout onto MN 37
136 ft·2 sec·State Highway 37
23
Continue on MN 37
14 mi·17 min·State Highway 37
24
Continue on MN 37
1.6 mi·2 min·40th Street
25
Enter roundabout onto US 169; MN 73
20 ft·0 sec·East Beltline
26
Continue on US 169; MN 73
6.6 mi·8 min·East Beltline
Use the straight lane.
27
Take the exit onto MN 73
0.5 mi·50 sec·MN 73
28
Enter roundabout onto MN 73
149 ft·8 sec·State Highway 73
29
Continue on MN 73
0.6 mi·1 min·State Highway 73
Use the straight lane.
30
Continue on MN 73
0.2 mi·29 sec·West Lake Street
Use the straight lane.
31
Turn right onto 3rd Avenue Southwest
64 ft·2 sec·3rd Avenue Southwest
32
Arrive at destination
3rd Avenue Southwest
Trip Plan
For this 4h 18m drive, leaving Eagan, MN in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for a break around the halfway point or when you need fuel. The estimated fuel cost of $36 is based on current averages. Since this is a single-day trip covering 220.8 miles, you have flexibility. A key consideration for this route is the 105-mile stretch on I 35; ensure you're comfortable with that duration of highway cruising before you depart.
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 110.4 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.4 miles or 2h 4m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chisholm, 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.
+
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 Eagan, MN
This is one driving day of about 220.8 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Eagan, 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 105 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 19 — 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
17.7 mi into trip|~25m 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
19 mi into trip|~26m 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
$37.14 one way
$74.29 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$40.00
$80.01
premium
$5.04
$43.78
$87.56
diesel
$5.64
$49.02
$98.04
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.2
0
$23.18
$10.60
Efficient EV
55.2
0
$19.32
$8.83
EV Truck/SUV
88.3
1
$30.91
$14.13
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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 May 15, 2026
Origin
Eagan, MN
Night
in Eagan on Friday
Local time
9:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
WSW 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 15 at 9:03AM CDT until May 15 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 15 at 3:38AM CDT until May 15 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
Destination
Chisholm, MN
Night
in Chisholm on Friday
Local time
9:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
W 15 to 20 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 15 at 9:03AM CDT until May 15 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Aberdeen SD
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 15 at 3:38AM CDT until May 15 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Sioux Falls SD
66°F
Bruno, MN
110 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
14 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 18m 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?
Expect a drive that is 95% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 105 miles on I 35. You'll encounter a high density of exits for much of the drive, especially as you navigate through the early sections of the route. The transition to surface roads is minimal, so you'll largely be in a high-speed, limited-access environment.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 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 9 miles in near I 35E.
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 25 significant decision points across 220.8 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,539 ft900 ft
Total Climb
667 ft
Total Descent
78 ft
Highest Point
1,539 ft
~220.8 mi in
Elevation Range
639 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Eagan, MN to Chisholm, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 220.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas 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 Chisholm, 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Chisholm, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
