Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Eagan, MN to Glenwood, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 12, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 55m
Distance
146.4 mi
236 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagan, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Glenwood, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Eagan, MN to Glenwood, MN is 146.4 miles and takes about 2h 55m via I 94, I 494, and MN 28, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward trip entirely within Minnesota, taking you from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area into the more rural Midwest. With 94% of the route on highways, it's a quick connection that's well-suited for a single-day excursion. Plan for a smooth drive that minimizes time on slower roads.
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
73.2 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 89.6 mi | 1h 36m |
| I 494 | 24.8 mi | 30m |
| MN 28 | 23.5 mi | 34m |
| Cedar Avenue | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Diffley Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| Main Street South | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Pilot Knob Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Minnesota Avenue East | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 89.6 mi, about 1h 36m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,445 veh/hr typical · worst 4,307
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Eagan, MN and Glenwood, 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
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
73 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
I 94
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 71, MN 28: Glenwood, Sauk Centre
15
Turn left onto US 71; MN 28
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
Main Street South
16
Turn right onto MN 28
23 mi
·
34 min
·
MN 28
17
Arrive at destination
MN 28
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2h 55m drive, you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Eagan in the morning allows you to arrive in Glenwood with plenty of daylight. Consider making your single planned stop during the 89.6-mile stretch on I 94 for fuel or a break. The estimated fuel cost of $23 suggests this is an economical trip. Since it's a quick drive, you can easily complete it in one day, so focus on a relaxed pace and enjoy the transition from urban to rural Minnesota.
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 73.2 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.6 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 32 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.2 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Glenwood, 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 146.4 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 94 for about 89.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.2 miles from Eagan, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Elm Creek Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Big Spunk Lake Rest Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Middle Spunk Rest Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.7 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 32 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
CR 30 / Diffley Road
Enter roundabout onto CR 30 / Diffley Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
MN 77 / Cedar Avenue
Merge onto MN 77 / Cedar Avenue
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.90 one way
$47.79 round trip
$4.15/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
| premium | $4.95 | $28.55 | $57.10 |
| diesel | $5.97 | $34.39 | $68.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-09-07.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.37 | $7.03 |
| Efficient EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.81 | $5.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.50 | $9.37 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Origin
Eagan, MN
Late night in Eagan on Saturday
Local time
1:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
W 0 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 9 at 6:04AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 9 at 5:58AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Destination
Glenwood, MN
Late night in Glenwood on Saturday
Local time
1:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Sunny
W 5 to 15 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 9 at 6:04AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 9 at 5:58AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
50°F
Albertville, MN
73 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
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
2h 55m 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 is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 146.4 miles on major roads like I 94. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 89.6 miles on I 94, offering a consistent cruising experience. Expect to transition from the interstate system onto MN 28, which will feel like a noticeable shift as you move from high-speed highway to a more rural road environment. The majority of your time will be spent on the interstate, with fewer exits and a more open feel.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near CR 30 / Diffley Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 146.4 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 2 miles (CR 30 / Diffley Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.9 miles (MN 77 / Cedar Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,353 ft
840 ft
Total Climb
599 ft
Total Descent
389 ft
Highest Point
1,353 ft
~136 mi in
Elevation Range
512 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Glenwood, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Sauk Centre along the way.
Sauk Centre
122.2 mi in
|
~2h 18m
About the Cities
Starting in Eagan, MN
Full guide →Founded 1860
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.
Arriving in Glenwood, MN
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Pope County Courthouse — county courthouse in Glenwood, United States of America
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 2h 55m. Total distance: 146.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.6 miles on I 94. 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 Glenwood, 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 2 miles (CR 30 / Diffley Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 2.9 miles (MN 77 / Cedar Avenue): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Glenwood, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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