Traveling from Little Falls to Eagan is a straightforward 113.3-mile journey across Minnesota that typically takes about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire route in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for getting between the two cities. The path utilizes a combination of US 10, I-94, and I-494 to navigate from the heart of the Midwest toward your destination. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this drive offers a reliable connection through the state's highway network. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that prioritizes efficiency over detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.6 miles from Little Falls, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
50.3 mi
58m
I 494
24.7 mi
30m
I 94
21.1 mi
22m
Cedar Avenue South
3.1 mi
3m
Diffley Road
2.7 mi
5m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
1st Street Southeast
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 50.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little Falls, MN and Eagan, MN.
1
Start on 1st Street Southeast
1.5 mi·2 min·1st Street Southeast
2
Continue on CR 76
1.1 mi·1 min·Haven Road
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
4
Merge onto US 10
24 mi·27 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
6
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
7
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
8
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
9
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
10
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
11
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
12
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
14
Merge onto I 94
21 mi·22 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 494
25 mi·30 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 2CToward MN 77 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Killebrew DriveUse the straight / slight left lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward MN 77 South
20
Merge onto MN 77
3.1 mi·3 min·Cedar Avenue South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 4Toward CR 30: Diffley RoadUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto CR 30
0.7 mi·1 min·Diffley Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto CR 30
84 ft·1 sec·Diffley Road
24
Continue on CR 30
2.0 mi·3 min·Diffley Road
25
Turn right onto CR 31
0.1 mi·41 sec·Pilot Knob Road
26
Continue on CR 31
513 ft·9 sec·Pilot Knob Road
27
Arrive at destination
CR 31
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about strict timing. Keep in mind that with zero planned stops listed, you should ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Little Falls to avoid unnecessary delays. Because the majority of the route is on major highways, be prepared for potential congestion as you approach the busier metro intersections on I-494. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider timing your departure to avoid peak morning or evening rush hours in the Twin Cities area. Taking a moment to double-check your route on I-94 before you head out will help ensure a smooth, uninterrupted run for the full 113.3 miles.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.6 miles from Little Falls, MN, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.3 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.6 miles or 1h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eagan, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Little 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 Little Falls, MN
This is one driving day of about 113.3 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Little Falls, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 50.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 109.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.8 mi into trip|~5m in|US 10
Merge onto US 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
80.6 mi into trip|~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
7
105.8 mi into trip|~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward MN 77 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2C
Toward MN 77 South
8
106.1 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward MN 77 South: Killebrew Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward MN 77 South: Killebrew Drive
7
109.9 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward CR 30: Diffley Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4
Toward CR 30: Diffley Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.86 one way
$33.72 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$18.17
$36.34
premium
$4.53
$20.22
$40.43
diesel
$5.61
$25.02
$50.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34
0
$11.90
$5.44
Efficient EV
28.3
0
$9.91
$4.53
EV Truck/SUV
45.3
0
$15.86
$7.25
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Little Falls, MN
Late night
in Little Falls on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eagan, MN
Late night
in Eagan on Sunday
Local time
2:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Albertville, MN
57 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
7 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
2h 21m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 85% of this route is comprised of fast-paced, high-speed roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel, starting with a significant 50.3-mile stretch on US 10. As you transition onto the interstate system, the road conditions remain consistent and geared toward quick transit. While the drive is largely characterized by a purposeful interstate grind, the shift from the highway stretches of US 10 to the busier corridors of I-94 and I-494 marks the changing intensity of the journey. You will find yourself mostly focused on maintaining speed and navigating the flow of traffic as you move toward the Eagan area.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.3 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 494. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in near US 10.
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 16 significant decision points across 113.3 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 2.8 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Eagan is a city of 69,000 people (2021) in Minnesota on the south bank of the Minnesota River, upstream from the confluence with the Mississippi River. It is a suburb in the southern part of the Twin Cities region.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 113.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 50.3 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Eagan, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 80.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Eagan, MN before heading back.
