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Trip from Eagan, MN to Cross Lake, MN

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

Drive Time

3h 32m

Distance

165.3 mi

266 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 20m ★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 56m
8 PM
3h 25m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Minnesota, United States

Eagan, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cross Lake, MN, MN

Cross Lake, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are planning a getaway from Eagan to Cross Lake, expect a journey covering 165.3 miles across the Minnesota landscape. This trip typically takes about 3 hours and 32 minutes, making it a manageable excursion that fits easily into a single day of travel. You will navigate primarily through local roads, including Diffley Road, MN 77 North, and Cedar Avenue, rather than relying on major interstates. With an estimated fuel cost of $23, it is an affordable route for a quick change of scenery. Since both locations are situated within the Midwest, the transition between these two points feels like a natural progression through the region's familiar terrain. Whether you are heading up for a weekend or a quick turnaround, this drive offers a straightforward path to your destination.

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

82.7 miles from Eagan, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 169 73.1 mi 1h 22m
I 494 24.8 mi 30m
CR 11 11.3 mi 15m
State Highway 6 9.4 mi 16m
I 94 8.3 mi 9m
MN 101 6.4 mi 7m
MN 6 4.7 mi 8m
State Highway 18 4.3 mi 7m
Longest stretch: US Highway 169 — 73.1 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CR 31

222 ft · 6 sec · Pilot Knob Road
2

Turn left onto CR 30

2.0 mi · 3 min · Diffley Road
Use the left lane.
3

Enter roundabout onto CR 30

100 ft · 2 sec · Diffley Road
4

Continue on CR 30

0.5 mi · 1 min · Diffley Road
5

Take the ramp

304 ft · 8 sec
Toward MN 77 North: Cedar Avenue
6

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 34 sec
7

Merge onto MN 77

4.1 mi · 4 min · Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West Use the right lane.
9

Merge onto I 494; MN 5

8.8 mi · 11 min · I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5

16 mi · 19 min · I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Exit 27 Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 94

8.3 mi · 9 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 207A-B Toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk River Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass

0.8 mi · 55 sec · MN 101 North Bypass
Exit 207B Toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto MN 101

6.4 mi · 7 min · MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on US 169

27 mi · 30 min · US Highway 169
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 169

9.3 mi · 10 min · US Highway 169
18

Continue on US 169

2.4 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue
19

Continue on US 169

37 mi · 42 min · US Highway 169
20

Turn left onto MN 18

4.3 mi · 7 min · State Highway 18
21

Turn right onto MN 6

9.4 mi · 16 min · State Highway 6
22

At end of road, turn left onto MN 6; MN 210

0.4 mi · 29 sec · East Front Street
23

Turn right onto MN 6; MN 210

0.7 mi · 45 sec · Archibald Road
24

Continue on MN 6; MN 210

2.3 mi · 2 min · Voyageur Highway
25

Enter roundabout onto MN 6; MN 210

109 ft · 1 sec · East Main Street
26

Continue on MN 6; MN 210

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
27

Turn right onto MN 6

4.7 mi · 8 min · MN 6
28

Turn left onto CR 11

11 mi · 15 min · CR 11
29

Enter roundabout onto CR 11

121 ft · 2 sec · County Road 11
30

Continue on CR 11

2.0 mi · 2 min · County Road 11
31

Turn right onto CR 39

1.3 mi · 3 min · County Road 39
32

Turn right onto CR 120

1.9 mi · 4 min · Fawn Lake Road
33

Turn left onto CH 3; IC C

2.1 mi · 2 min · County Road 11
34

Arrive at destination

CH 3; IC C

Trip Plan

For the smoothest experience, plan your departure to account for the 3-hour and 32-minute duration, allowing enough flexibility for at least one planned stop along the way. Since this is a turn-heavy route, staying alert is essential, so consider scheduling your break roughly halfway through the drive to recharge. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is approximately $23, but it is always wise to keep an eye on your gauge as you navigate local stretches. Since this trip is designed as a one-day excursion, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that avoids the heaviest local traffic patterns. A concrete tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the transition points between MN 77 North and Cedar Avenue before you head out, as the lack of highway stretches means you will be relying on local navigation throughout the entire trip.

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 82.7 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.1 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 36 miles or 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 82.7 miles or 1h 39m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cross Lake, 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 165.3 miles and 3h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 US Highway 169 for about 73.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Sherburne County, Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Big Lake, MN

83 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

Maple Grove, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Lake, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.7 miles from Eagan, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 169 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.1 miles.

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

Dark Horse Brew & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosslake, Minnesota

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12186926900

Visit website

Teresa's Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Eagan, Minnesota

1.4 mi

Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Princeton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Princeton, Minnesota

3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Mixed Company - A Kava House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosby, Minnesota

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 141.7

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12185451010

Visit website

Crosslake Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Crosslake, Minnesota

0.7 mi

Dark Horse Brew & Bistro

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 165.3

Crosslake, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12186926900

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

Chapala Mexican Restaurant in Princeton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 70.8

Princeton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17632007541

Visit website

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20 mile 35.4

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

Nawal Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Burnsville, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19524566701

Mixed Company - A Kava House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 141.7

Crosby, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12185451010

Visit website

Crosslake Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 165.3

Crosslake, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+12186923994

Munkabeans Coffeehouse

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.6

Hopkins, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19529389056

Visit website

Missing Pieces Escape Games

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 11.8

Edina, Minnesota

Hours: 12–7:30 pm

+19526588974

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

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 35.4

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Woodland Trails Regional Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 47.2

Elk River, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+17636351150

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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 7 and 41.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
7 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 494 West, MN 5 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the right lane. Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
6
16 mi into trip | ~21m in | I 494; MN 5

Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
8
32 mi into trip | ~41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 27 Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
8
40.8 mi into trip | ~51m in

Take the exit toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk River

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 207A-B Toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk...
8
41.1 mi into trip | ~52m in | MN 101 North Bypass

Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 207B Toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.60 one way

$49.20 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $26.51 $53.01
premium $4.53 $29.49 $58.99
diesel $5.61 $36.50 $72.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.6 0 $17.36 $7.93
Efficient EV 41.3 0 $14.46 $6.61
EV Truck/SUV 66.1 0 $23.14 $10.58

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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

2:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Mostly Sunny

WNW 20 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Cross Lake, MN

Late night in Cross Lake on Sunday

Local time

2:56 AM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Partly Sunny

W 15 mph 2% chance 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

4 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

3h 32m 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?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating local roads for the entire 165.3-mile duration. Because the longest stretch on Diffley Road is 0 miles, you should anticipate frequent adjustments and a consistent pace rather than long-distance cruising. The road character is defined by its technical nature, keeping you engaged as you transition between local road segments. Expect a driving experience that feels more grounded and intimate compared to the high-speed monotony of typical highway travel.

87% 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: 73.1 mi on US Highway 169.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 169 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 22 significant decision points across 165.3 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles (I 494; MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Eagan, MN and Cross Lake, MN, road signs point toward Cr 81 and Elk River.

Cr 81

40.8 mi in | ~51m

Elk River

40.8 mi in | ~51m

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 3h 32m. Total distance: 165.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.1 miles on US Highway 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Cross Lake, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles (I 494; MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 32 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Cross Lake, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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