Eden Prairie, MN to Virginia, MN is 214 miles and takes about 4h 8m via I 35 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, moving you from the Midwest's central region up towards its northern expanse. You'll primarily be on interstates and major US highways, making for a straightforward trip without many complex turns. With only one recommended stop and a drive time under five hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
107.1 miles from Eden Prairie, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
105 mi
1h 52m
US 53
41.3 mi
49m
MN 33
19.8 mi
26m
I 35W
19.8 mi
21m
MN 100
13.2 mi
16m
I 694
5.3 mi
5m
US 212
4.4 mi
5m
Crosstown Highway
1.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,265 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~111 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Eden Prairie, MN and Virginia, MN.
1
Start on Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Scenic Heights Road
2
Turn left onto Mitchell Road
0.4 mi·51 sec·Mitchell Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward US 212 East, MN 5 EastUse the right lane.
4
Merge onto US 212; MN 5
4.4 mi·5 min·US 212; MN 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on MN 62
1.9 mi·2 min·Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 108BToward MN 100 NorthUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto MN 100
13 mi·16 min·MN 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 694 East
9
Merge onto I 694
5.3 mi·5 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 41BToward I 35W NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35W
3.0 mi·3 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
17 mi·18 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 35
14
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi·58 sec·MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
15
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft·1 sec·MN 33
16
Continue on MN 33
19 mi·25 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
17
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.4 mi·29 sec·MN 33
18
Merge onto US 53
37 mi·43 min·US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Enter roundabout onto US 53
113 ft·1 sec·US 53
20
Continue on US 53
3.9 mi·5 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto South 2nd Avenue West
0.9 mi·2 min·South 2nd Avenue West
22
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Chestnut Street
Use the left lane.
23
Arrive at destination
Chestnut Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Virginia, MN. Since the longest stretch without a major break is about 105 miles, consider planning your single stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so be sure to check your tank level before departing Eden Prairie. Given the relatively short duration, you have the flexibility to depart later in the day if needed, but an early start ensures a relaxed arrival.
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 107.1 miles from Eden Prairie, MN, or about 2h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 47 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.1 miles or 2h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Virginia, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Eden Prairie, 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 Eden Prairie, MN
This is one driving day of about 214.1 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Eden Prairie, 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 35 for about 105 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.9 and 213.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 212 East, MN 5 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward US 212 East, MN 5 East
7
7.6 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward MN 100 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 108B
Toward MN 100 North
7
27 mi into trip|~35m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 41B
Toward I 35W North
6
30.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
213.9 mi into trip|~4h 7m in|Chestnut Street
Turn left onto Chestnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.02 one way
$72.04 round trip
$4.27/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$38.79
$77.58
premium
$5.04
$42.45
$84.90
diesel
$5.64
$47.53
$95.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-11.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.2
0
$22.48
$10.28
Efficient EV
53.5
0
$18.73
$8.56
EV Truck/SUV
85.6
1
$29.97
$13.70
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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 May 11, 2026
Origin
Eden Prairie, MN
Evening
in Eden Prairie on Friday
Local time
8:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Virginia, MN
Evening
in Virginia on Friday
Local time
8:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
26°F
Mostly Clear
N 0 to 10 mph2% chanceLive 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
42 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
4h 8m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 trip is almost entirely highway driving, with 97% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 105 miles on I 35, which means you can maintain a consistent pace for a significant portion of the drive. The transition to US 53 and MN 33 will involve more frequent exits as you approach your destination, signaling a shift from open cruising to more local access.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 20 significant decision points across 214.1 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 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,439 ft880 ft
Total Climb
628 ft
Total Descent
68 ft
Highest Point
1,439 ft
~214.1 mi in
Elevation Range
559 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 Eden Prairie, MN to Virginia, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
The Iron Range is a rural area in Northeastern Minnesota where iron ore (and taconite) has been mined for generations. This area has some cultural aspects more similar to the U.P. of Michigan than the surrounding area of Minnesota. It was settled largely by Finns and some other Scandinavians and Russians.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 214.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Virginia, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 27 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Virginia, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
