Esmeralda's Mexican Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17636006700
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 34m
Distance
64.5 mi
104 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagan, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Spencer Brook, MN
Tom Fisk
Eagan, MN to Spencer Brook, MN is 64.5 miles and takes about 1h 34m via US 10 and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region into a similar landscape. The route offers a straightforward drive, making it a convenient option for a day trip or a quick hop. Expect a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising, so plan accordingly for varying traffic conditions. It's a manageable distance, perfect if you're looking for a short but purposeful drive without too much time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
32.2 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 42m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 19.1 mi | 22m |
| I 35E | 15.3 mi | 21m |
| Rum River Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Blackfoot Street Northwest | 5 mi | 8m |
| 7th Avenue | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| State Highway 47 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| St Francis Boulevard | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Roanoke Street Northwest | 2 mi | 2m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~5,223 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~313 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 35 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan, MN and Spencer Brook, MN.
Start on CR 31
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
Merge onto I 35E; I 94
Take the exit onto I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Continue on US 10
Take the exit onto US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 9
Turn left onto CR 116
Turn right onto CR 7
Continue on CR 7
Continue on CR 7
Continue on CR 7
Enter roundabout onto CR 7
Continue on CR 7
Turn left onto CR 24
Turn right onto MN 47
Continue on MN 47
Continue on MN 47
Turn left onto CR 40
Continue on CR 40
At end of road, turn right onto CR 7; CR 40
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1h 34m duration, you have a lot of flexibility with this trip. Consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in the Eagan area and to arrive in Spencer Brook with plenty of daylight. The 64.5-mile distance means you won't need many stops, but it's always wise to take a break if you feel fatigued, especially as you transition from I-35E to US 10. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is around $10, and it's best to fill up before heading out or if you see a good price along US 10.
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.
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 14 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 32.2 miles or 42m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spencer Brook, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 64.5 miles and 1h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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.
A short stop after about 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 32.2 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.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · around the midpoint
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17636006700
Teresa's Mexican Restaurant
Eagan, Minnesota
El Loro Mexican Restaurant
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Best coffee break · first break window
St Paul, Minnesota
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+16514937134
Abogados Café
St Paul, Minnesota
Luminary Coffeehouse
St Paul, Minnesota
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17636006700
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Eagan, Minnesota
Hours: 11 am–10 pm
+16514409147
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+17637549065
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 3:30–10:30 pm
+16516663636
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+16512733308
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 4–8 pm
+19526005578
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
New Brighton, Minnesota
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+16512373486
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm
+16517724388
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+16514937134
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 7:30 am–4 pm
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+16513409471
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Anoka, Minnesota
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+17634215036
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Anoka, Minnesota
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+19523950972
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Blaine, Minnesota
Early in the drive, short detour
Roseville, Minnesota
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+16513007946
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+16515042356
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+16512022700
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
St Paul, Minnesota
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+16512256000
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Eagan, Minnesota
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+16516755550
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Circle Pines, Minnesota
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+17637845898
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Apple Valley, Minnesota
+19529532300
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 9 and 25.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward I 35W North, US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$10.59 one way
$21.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.46 | $11.33 | $22.65 |
| premium | $4.95 | $12.56 | $25.13 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $13.59 | $27.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.77 | $3.10 |
| Efficient EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.64 | $2.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.8 | 0 | $9.03 | $4.13 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Eagan on Wednesday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
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
Afternoon in Spencer Brook on Wednesday
Local time
3:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Clear
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
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This 64.5-mile drive is about 57% highway, featuring a longest stretch of 19.1 miles on US 10. You'll transition from the interstate system onto surface roads like Rum River Boulevard. Pay attention as you leave the faster highway sections; you'll notice the change in speed limits and traffic flow. The mixed highway and surface profile means you'll experience both quicker cruising and more local driving conditions.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 64.5 miles you will encounter 21 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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
172 ft
Total Descent
171 ft
Highest Point
950 ft
~64.5 mi in
Elevation Range
139 ft
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.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 64.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (57%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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