International Falls, MN to Eden Prairie, MN is 312.9 miles and takes about 6h 13m via I 35 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest as you head south. It's a solid option for a single-day trip, mostly on well-maintained highways. You'll find it a straightforward route without many complications, suitable for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
156.4 miles from International Falls, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
109.7 mi
1h 57m
Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
98 mi
2h 3m
US 53
42 mi
50m
MN 33
19.7 mi
26m
I 35W
14.7 mi
16m
MN 100
13 mi
16m
I 694
4.9 mi
6m
US 212
4.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 International Falls, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
1
Start on this road
75 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 8th Avenue
111 ft·9 sec·8th Avenue
3
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·5th Street
4
Turn right onto US 53
0.7 mi·50 sec·3rd Avenue
5
Continue on US 53
0.8 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
6
Continue on US 53
2.2 mi·3 min·Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
7
Enter roundabout onto US 53
135 ft·1 sec·Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 53
96 mi·2 hr·Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 53
4.6 mi·6 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto US 53
114 ft·1 sec·US 53
11
Continue on US 53
37 mi·43 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit onto MN 33
15 mi·18 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on MN 33
3.9 mi·7 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft·1 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
15
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi·40 sec·MN 33
Toward I 35 South
16
Merge onto I 35
110 mi·1 hr 57 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
15 mi·16 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 26CToward I 694 WestUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 694
4.9 mi·6 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 35AToward MN 100Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on MN 100
13 mi·16 min·MN 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward MN 62 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto MN 62
1.7 mi·2 min·Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto US 212
4.4 mi·5 min·US 212
Exit 106AToward US 212Use the slight right lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward CR 60: Mitchell RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto CR 60
0.5 mi·1 min·Mitchell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn right onto Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Scenic Heights Road
Use the right lane.
28
Arrive at destination
Scenic Heights Road
Trip Plan
For this 6h 13m drive, consider leaving International Falls in the morning to arrive in Eden Prairie by late afternoon. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility on when and where to take a break, though planning for a fuel and stretch stop around the halfway point is always wise. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you leave the more rural northern sections; the $46 fuel estimate should cover the 312.9 miles. The primary route is I 35, so navigation should be straightforward.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 156.4 miles from International Falls, MN, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 69 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156.4 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eden Prairie, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving International Falls, 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 International Falls, MN
This is one driving day of about 312.9 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from International Falls, 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 109.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Early stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
$10 to $20
Cook, Minnesota
Hours: 7 am–3 pm
+12186663195
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 271.2 and 307.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
271.2 mi into trip|~5h 21m in|I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
285.9 mi into trip|~5h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 694 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26C
Toward I 694 West
7
291.4 mi into trip|~5h 44m in
Take the exit toward MN 100
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35A
Toward MN 100
6
305 mi into trip|~6h 2m in
Take the exit toward MN 62 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 62 West
7
307.2 mi into trip|~6h 5m in|US 212
Take the exit onto US 212 toward US 212
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106A
Toward US 212
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.37 one way
$102.74 round trip
$4.17/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.46
$54.94
$109.88
premium
$4.95
$60.95
$121.91
diesel
$5.35
$65.91
$131.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.9
1
$32.85
$15.02
Efficient EV
78.2
0
$27.38
$12.52
EV Truck/SUV
125.2
1
$43.81
$20.03
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
International Falls, MN
Afternoon
in International Falls on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Eden Prairie, MN
Afternoon
in Eden Prairie on Wednesday
Local time
2:02 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph34% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 2:20AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued June 1 at 2:17AM CDT until June 1 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 13m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Voyageurs National Park
National Park
Voyageurs National Park spans 218,000 acres of lakes, forests, and streams in northern Minnesota. Established in 1975, the park is named after the French-Canadian Voyageurs who once navigated these ab...
12 mi from route
~30 min detour
Free
near mile 32.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 67% highway, meaning you'll spend a significant amount of time on major interstates and paved roads. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 109.7 miles on I 35. Expect a more rural cruising feel for much of the drive, transitioning to more frequent exits as you approach the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The final portion will involve merging into more active traffic.
67% 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: 109.7 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 271.2 miles in near I 35W.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 312.9 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 271.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
International Falls is a city in Minnesota. The city is nicknamed "Frostbite Falls" or "Icebox of the Nation". According to Forbes magazine, it is the coldest city in the Lower 48 United States.
Top landmarks
•Koochiching County Courthouse — courthouse in International Falls, Minnesota
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 13m. Total distance: 312.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.7 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Eden Prairie, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 271.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 285.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 291.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Voyageurs National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Eden Prairie, MN before the return drive.
