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Trip from Eagan, MN to Lake Crystal, MN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 7, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 51m

Distance

84.8 mi

136 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 43m ★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m

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

Best Time
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city in Minnesota, United States

Eagan, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Lake Crystal, MN, MN

Lake Crystal, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from Eagan, MN to Lake Crystal, MN covers 84.8 miles and takes about 1h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 169, I 35E, Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.6 miles on US 169. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.43 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

42.4 miles from Eagan, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 169 56.6 mi 1h 9m
I 35E 5.3 mi 5m
Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 5 mi 6m
Highway 13 South 3.3 mi 5m
Langford Boulevard /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 2.9 mi 3m
County Road 42 West 2.6 mi 4m
Egan Drive 2.5 mi 3m
Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway 1.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 169 — 56.6 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on CR 31

222 ft · 6 sec · Pilot Knob Road
2

Turn left onto CR 30

1.3 mi · 2 min · Diffley Road
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 35E South Use the left lane.
4

Merge onto I 35E

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

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 88B Toward CR 42 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Turn right onto CR 42

2.6 mi · 4 min · County Road 42 West
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on CR 42

2.5 mi · 3 min · Egan Drive
Use the left lane.
8

Turn left onto MN 13

3.3 mi · 5 min · Highway 13 South
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Enter roundabout onto MN 13

144 ft · 2 sec · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
10

Continue on MN 13

0.8 mi · 1 min · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
11

Continue on MN 13

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Langford Boulevard/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
12

Continue on MN 13

2.9 mi · 3 min · Langford Boulevard /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
13

Turn slight right

0.1 mi · 9 sec
14

Continue on MN 282

1.3 mi · 1 min · Country Trail East /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
15

Continue on MN 282

5.0 mi · 6 min · Country Trail West /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
16

Continue on MN 282

0.5 mi · 50 sec · East 2nd Street /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
17

Continue on MN 282

0.6 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street East
18

Enter roundabout onto MN 282

107 ft · 2 sec · 2nd Street West
19

Continue on MN 282

0.2 mi · 22 sec · 2nd Street West
Use the straight lane.
20

Turn left onto US 169

5.8 mi · 6 min · US 169
Use the left lane.
21

Continue on US 169

3.8 mi · 4 min · US 169
Use the straight lane.
22

Continue on US 169

24 mi · 29 min · US 169
Use the straight lane.
23

Continue on US 169; MN 99

14 mi · 18 min · US 169; MN 99
Use the straight lane.
24

Continue on US 169; MN 60

9.1 mi · 10 min · US 169; MN 60
25

Take the exit onto CR 76

0.1 mi · 24 sec · North Main Street
26

Continue on CR 76

0.4 mi · 56 sec · North Main Street
27

Turn right onto CR 74

74 ft · 2 sec · West Prince Street
28

Arrive at destination

CR 74

Trip Plan

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 42.4 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.6 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 19 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.4 miles or 57m 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 34m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Crystal, 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 84.8 miles and 1h 51m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Eagan, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 169 for about 56.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Le Sueur, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Le Sueur, MN

42 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

Credit River, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Le Sueur, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.4 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Teresa's Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Eagan, Minnesota

Near the start, short detour

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

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+16514409147

Visit website

El Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mankato, Minnesota

2.2 mi

Nawal Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Burnsville, Minnesota

2.1 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Constellation Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Apple Valley, Minnesota

Near the start, short detour

First break · 8min in 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19529525448

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

El Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Mankato, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+15076252406

Visit website

Nawal Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Burnsville, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+19524566701

Green Mill Restaurant & Bar

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Lakeville, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+19524358100

Visit website

Constellation Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Apple Valley, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+19529525448

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

Splash Valley Water Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Apple Valley, Minnesota

+19529532300

Visit website

Sever's Corn Maze & Farm Market

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Shakopee, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+19522706293

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.3 and 15.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.3 mi into trip | ~2m in

Turn left toward I 35E South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 35E South
5
1.6 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 35E

Merge onto I 35E

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
6.9 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward CR 42

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 88B Toward CR 42
5
7.4 mi into trip | ~9m in | CR 42 / County Road 42 West

Turn right onto CR 42 / County Road 42 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
15.7 mi into trip | ~23m in | MN 13 / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Enter roundabout onto MN 13 / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.43 one way

$26.86 round trip

$4.02/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.28 $14.30 $28.60
premium $4.85 $16.19 $32.37
diesel $5.60 $18.69 $37.39

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: 29.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.4 0 $8.90 $4.07
Efficient EV 21.2 0 $7.42 $3.39
EV Truck/SUV 33.9 0 $11.87 $5.43

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 Aug 24, 2026

Origin

Eagan, MN

Evening in Eagan on Monday

Local time

6:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Partly Sunny

0 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Destination

Lake Crystal, MN

Evening in Lake Crystal on Monday

Local time

6:46 PM

CDT

Current temp

80°F

Sunny

S 10 mph 1% 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

2 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 51m 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?

84.8 mi in 1h 51m, mostly highway — 56.6 mi of that is on US 169.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.6 mi on US 169.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 169 and I 35E. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (I 35E): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,026 ft 748 ft

Total Climb

621 ft

Total Descent

572 ft

Highest Point

1,026 ft

~6.1 mi in

Elevation Range

278 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 Lake Crystal, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 42 along the way.

Cr 42

6.9 mi in | ~8m

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 Lake Crystal, MN

Full guide →

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 51m. Total distance: 84.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 56.6 miles on US 169. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (I 35E): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Crystal, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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