If you are planning a trip from Jordan to Eden Prairie, expect a journey covering 226.6 miles across the Minnesota landscape. With a total driving time of approximately 4 hours and 42 minutes, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via I-35, Highway 2, and Highway 61, keeping you on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of the trip. Budgeting around $32 for fuel should cover your needs, making this an accessible option for those looking to traverse the Midwest. Since the entire drive stays within Minnesota, you can anticipate a consistent regional feel throughout the travel experience.
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
113.3 miles from Jordan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
132.1 mi
2h 24m
Highway 2
24.5 mi
42m
Highway 61
23.5 mi
32m
I 35W
14.7 mi
16m
MN 100
13 mi
16m
I 694
4.9 mi
6m
US 212
4.4 mi
5m
National Forest Hwy 11
2.4 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 132.1 mi, about 2h 24m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 17 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,458 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,837
Quietest
2 AM
~83 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
29.6×
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 Jordan, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
1
Start on CR 204
0.4 mi·1 min·CR 204
2
Turn left onto CR 15; FH 11
2.4 mi·4 min·National Forest Hwy 11
3
Turn left onto CR 2
24 mi·42 min·Highway 2
4
Continue on CR 2
346 ft·8 sec·4th Street
5
Turn right onto CR 26
0.8 mi·1 min·County Road 26
6
Continue on CR 26
0.7 mi·1 min·11th Street
7
Turn right onto MN 61
0.4 mi·57 sec·7th Avenue
Use the right lane.
8
Continue on MN 61
24 mi·32 min·Highway 61
9
Turn left onto I 35
4.0 mi·5 min·I 35
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
128 mi·2 hr 19 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
15 mi·16 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: MinneapolisUse the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 26CToward I 694 WestUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 694
4.9 mi·6 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 35AToward MN 100Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on MN 100
13 mi·16 min·MN 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward MN 62 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto MN 62
1.7 mi·2 min·Crosstown Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 212
4.4 mi·5 min·US 212
Exit 106AToward US 212Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward CR 60: Mitchell RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CR 60
0.5 mi·1 min·Mitchell Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right onto Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Scenic Heights Road
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
Scenic Heights Road
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes under five hours, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid peak traffic. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your schedule on track and stay refreshed. Because the route is dominated by interstates, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 132.1-mile stretch on I-35 to avoid unnecessary detours for gas. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, use your single stop as an opportunity to stretch your legs halfway through the 226.6-mile trek. Planning for this simple, efficient drive allows you to reach Eden Prairie with time to spare for your evening plans.
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 113.3 miles from Jordan, MN, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 50 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.3 miles or 2h 32m 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 50m
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 Jordan, 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 Jordan, MN
This is one driving day of about 226.6 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Jordan, 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 132.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 56.8 and 220.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
56.8 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
184.9 mi into trip|~3h 49m 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
199.6 mi into trip|~4h 6m 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
205.1 mi into trip|~4h 13m 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
7
220.9 mi into trip|~4h 33m 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
$34.03 one way
$68.07 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$36.75
$73.49
premium
$4.60
$41.05
$82.09
diesel
$4.80
$42.79
$85.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68
0
$23.79
$10.88
Efficient EV
56.7
0
$19.83
$9.06
EV Truck/SUV
90.6
1
$31.72
$14.50
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Jordan, MN
Afternoon
in Jordan on Saturday
Local time
4:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Patchy Smoke
N 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM CDT by NWS Grand Forks ND
Destination
Eden Prairie, MN
Afternoon
in Eden Prairie on Saturday
Local time
4:09 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 4:03AM 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 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
4h 42m 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 is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-35, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 132.1 miles. The road’s personality is defined by these long, efficient corridors, requiring less technical maneuvering than backroad routes. As you transition between I-35, Highway 2, and Highway 61, the landscape remains consistent, offering a straightforward experience behind the wheel. Expect a functional, mile-munching journey that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding local detours.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.1 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and Highway 2. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.8 miles in near I 35.
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 15 significant decision points across 226.6 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 56.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.9 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,738 ft714 ft
Total Climb
621 ft
Total Descent
1,479 ft
Highest Point
1,738 ft
Elevation Range
1,025 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 42m. Total distance: 226.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m 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 132.1 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 56.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.9 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Eden Prairie, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
