Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
33m
Distance
22.4 mi
36 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eden Prairie, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Independence, MN to Eden Prairie, MN is 22.4 miles and takes about 33 minutes via Babcock Boulevard and I 494, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within the Midwest region and the state of Minnesota. It's a straightforward drive that mostly utilizes surface roads, making it easy to navigate. Given its brevity, this route is perfect for a quick errand or a simple transfer between these two nearby locations. You won't need to worry about extensive planning for this quick hop.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Babcock Boulevard | 12.4 mi | 16m |
| I 494 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Baker Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Mitchell Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Scenic Heights Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Valley Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| CR 62 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Independence, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
Start on Valley Road
Turn left onto US 12
Enter roundabout onto US 12
Continue on US 12
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 494
Take the exit
Turn right onto CR 62
Turn left onto CR 60
Continue on CR 60
Turn right onto Scenic Heights Road
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 19 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 494 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MN 62, CR 62
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto CR 62
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$3.33 one way
$6.67 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $3.59 | $7.18 |
| premium | $4.53 | $4.00 | $7.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.95 | $9.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 6.7 | 0 | $2.35 | $1.08 |
| Efficient EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.96 | $0.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9 | 0 | $3.14 | $1.43 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Late night in Independence on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
31°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Snow
Destination
Late night in Eden Prairie on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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 drive is primarily on surface roads, with about 22% on highways. You'll spend most of your time on Babcock Boulevard, where the longest continuous stretch measures 12.4 miles. The transition to Interstate 494 will mark the most significant highway segment before you move onto Baker Road. Expect to encounter typical surface street conditions with traffic lights and intersections for the majority of the trip.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 22.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 33m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Independence, MN to Eden Prairie, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 62 along the way.
Cr 62
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 33m. Total distance: 22.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Independence, MN or browse trips ending in Eden Prairie, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
