Eagan, MN to Grass Lake, MN is 80.9 miles and takes about 1 hour 38 minutes via I 35E and I 35, with a fuel budget near $12 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest region. Given its relatively short length and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. It's a good option for a quick transfer between these two points without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40.5 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 49m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35E
33.3 mi
40m
I 35
33.2 mi
35m
MN 70
8.3 mi
12m
Pilot Knob Road
1.7 mi
2m
State Highway 107
1.3 mi
2m
I 694
0.8 mi
<1m
133rd Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
US 10
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35E
— 33.3 mi, about 40m
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 Grass Lake, 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
33 mi·35 min·I 35
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward MN 70: Rock Creek, Grantsburg
14
Turn left onto MN 70
8.3 mi·12 min·MN 70
15
Turn right onto MN 70; MN 107
1.3 mi·2 min·State Highway 107
16
Turn left onto CR 42
0.8 mi·1 min·133rd Avenue
17
Turn right onto CR 43
94 ft·2 sec·Queen Street
18
Arrive at destination
CR 43
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour 38 minute drive, leaving anytime in the morning or afternoon should work well, as it's easily completed within daylight hours. With only 80.9 miles, you can be quite flexible with stops, or skip them altogether if time is tight. The fuel cost is estimated at around $12, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 35E to I 35, as this is a key point on your route. Because it's a short trip, you have the advantage of not needing to rush; you can depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 40.5 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.3 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 18 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.5 miles or 49m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grass 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Eagan, MN
This is one driving day of about 80.9 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Eagan, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 35E for about 33.3 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 16
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
$13.28 one way
$26.56 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$14.21
$28.41
premium
$4.95
$15.76
$31.52
diesel
$5.35
$17.04
$34.08
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.3
0
$8.49
$3.88
Efficient EV
20.2
0
$7.08
$3.24
EV Truck/SUV
32.4
0
$11.33
$5.18
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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 May 26, 2026
Origin
Eagan, MN
Afternoon
in Eagan on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 3:16PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 2:20PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Grass Lake, MN
Afternoon
in Grass Lake on Wednesday
Local time
2:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
SW 0 to 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 3:16PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 25 at 2:20PM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
66°F
Centerville, MN
40 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
5 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
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on major highways, with 95% of the route utilizing interstates. You'll experience a stretch of 33.3 miles on I 35E before transitioning to I 35 and MN 70. Expect a consistent cruising pace for the vast majority of the trip. The highway profile means you'll encounter frequent exits and merges, particularly as you navigate through the initial stretches.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 33.3 mi on I 35E.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35E and I 35. 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
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 80.9 miles you will encounter 16 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,000 ft787 ft
Total Climb
273 ft
Total Descent
250 ft
Highest Point
1,000 ft
~75.1 mi in
Elevation Range
213 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 Grass Lake, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Grantsburg 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 1h 38m. Total distance: 80.9 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 (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 33.3 miles on I 35E. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Grass Lake, 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 Grass Lake, MN before heading back.
