Lake Eunice, MN to Minneapolis, MN is 215.2 miles and takes about 4h 7m via I 94 and US 59, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from one part of the Midwest to another. Most of the drive is on the highway, making it a straightforward trip. You'll likely find it a practical option for getting between these two points without much fuss. Consider this if you're looking for an efficient way to cover the distance.
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
107.6 miles from Lake Eunice, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
127.8 mi
2h 19m
US 59
62.1 mi
1h 7m
South Broadway
13.7 mi
15m
County Road 31
2.9 mi
7m
West Prairie Avenue
2.7 mi
3m
County Highway 22
2.4 mi
5m
Pike Drive
0.7 mi
1m
North Washington Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 127.8 mi, about 2h 19m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,736 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,292
Quietest
2 AM
~166 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 47 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 Lake Eunice, MN and Minneapolis, MN.
1
Start on this road
41 ft·8 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto CR 22
2.4 mi·5 min·County Highway 22
3
Turn left onto CH 20
0.3 mi·49 sec·County Highway 20
4
Continue on CR 20
0.7 mi·1 min·Pike Drive
5
Turn right onto CH 31
2.9 mi·7 min·County Road 31
6
Turn right onto US 59; MN 34
10 mi·11 min·US 59; MN 34
7
Continue on US 59
14 mi·15 min·South Broadway
8
Continue on US 59
2.7 mi·3 min·West Prairie Avenue
9
Take the exit onto US 59
52 mi·55 min·US 59
10
Continue on I 94; MN 27
122 mi·2 hr 11 min·I 94; MN 27
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
6.1 mi·7 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·25 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward 4th Street NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward 2nd Avenue NorthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
0.2 mi·35 sec·2nd Avenue North
16
Turn right onto CR 152
0.6 mi·1 min·North Washington Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on CR 152
0.2 mi·31 sec·Washington Avenue South
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
CR 152
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Minneapolis. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick break or a more extended pause. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so be sure to factor that into your budget. Watch for the transition from I 94 to US 59 and eventually South Broadway as you get closer to your destination. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time.
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 107.6 miles from Lake Eunice, MN, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.8 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 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.6 miles or 2h 6m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Minneapolis, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lake Eunice, 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 Lake Eunice, MN
This is one driving day of about 215.2 miles and 4h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Lake Eunice, 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 94 for about 127.8 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 206.5 and 214.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
206.5 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
212.6 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
213 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 4th Street North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 4th Street North
7
214 mi into trip|~4h 3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 2nd Avenue North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward 2nd Avenue North
6
214.4 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|CR 152 / North Washington Avenue
Turn right onto CR 152 / North Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.32 one way
$64.64 round trip
$3.82/gal25.4 MPG avg75 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$34.90
$69.80
premium
$4.60
$38.98
$77.96
diesel
$4.80
$40.63
$81.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
64.6
0
$22.60
$10.33
Efficient EV
53.8
0
$18.83
$8.61
EV Truck/SUV
86.1
1
$30.13
$13.77
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lake Eunice, MN
Late night
in Lake Eunice on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Sunny
NNW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:33PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Destination
Minneapolis, MN
Late night
in Minneapolis on Sunday
Local time
1:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
NNE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 3:33PM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 11:59AM CDT by NWS Duluth MN
61°F
Avon, MN
108 mi in
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
4 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 7m 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 route is 90% highway, so expect to spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 127.8 miles, primarily on I 94. You'll transition to surface roads for the final portion of the drive. Pay attention as you approach Minneapolis, as the urban merging can be more complex than the earlier rural cruising.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 206.5 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 215.2 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 206.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Minneapolis is a city of about 430,000 people (2019) and the largest city in Minnesota. Along with neighboring Saint Paul, it forms the urban core of the Twin Cities region, the third largest metropolitan area in the Midwest after Chicago and Detroit.
Top landmarks
•Minneapolis Institute of Art — art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota
•Walker Art Center — contemporary art center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
•Weisman Art Museum — art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 7m. Total distance: 215.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 127.8 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Minneapolis, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 206.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 213 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Minneapolis, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
