Origin
New Ulm, MN
Late night in New Ulm on Friday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from New Ulm, MN to Eden Prairie, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
79.5 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
New Ulm, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Eden Prairie, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
New Ulm, MN to Eden Prairie, MN is 79.5 miles and takes about 1h 40m via US 212 and US Highway 14, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Minnesota, traversing the Midwest. It's a straightforward trip, primarily on major highways, making it a simple option for a day trip or a quick connection between these two points. Given its short duration and highway focus, this route is best suited for those prioritizing efficiency and ease of travel.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.7 miles from New Ulm, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 212 | 47.1 mi | 56m |
| US Highway 14 | 30 mi | 37m |
| Scenic Heights Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| 7th North Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Eden Prairie Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Center Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 47.1 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Ulm, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
1
Start on CR 13
36 ft
·
1 sec
·
Center Street
2
Turn left onto MN 15; MN 68
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 14; MN 15
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
7th North Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 14; MN 15
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US Highway 14
5
Enter roundabout onto US 14; MN 15
88 ft
·
3 sec
·
US Highway 14
6
Continue on US 14; MN 15
30 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 14
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Turn right onto US 212
13 mi
·
15 min
·
US 212
8
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft
·
2 sec
·
US 212
9
Continue on US 212
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 212
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
24 mi
·
28 min
·
US 212
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward CR 4: Eden Prairie Road
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto CR 4
424 ft
·
11 sec
·
Eden Prairie Road
13
Turn left onto Scenic Heights Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Scenic Heights Road
14
Arrive at destination
Scenic Heights Road
Trip Plan
For this 1h 40m drive, leaving in the morning or early afternoon is advisable to avoid potential rush hour congestion closer to Eden Prairie. Since the drive is under two hours, you won't need to plan for overnight stays, and stops can be brief and flexible. The estimated fuel cost is around $13, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing New Ulm. Keep an eye out for the shift from highway to local roads as you near your destination, as this is where the pace will change.
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 39.7 miles from New Ulm, MN, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.1 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 17 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 51m 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 24m
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 New Ulm, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from New Ulm, MN
This is one driving day of about 79.5 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from New Ulm, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 212 for about 47.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from New Ulm, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 78 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MN 15; MN 68 / North Broadway
Turn left onto MN 15; MN 68 / North Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street
Turn right onto US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 14; MN 15 / US Highway 14
Enter roundabout onto US 14; MN 15 / US Highway 14
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
53.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
US 212
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
78 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
Take the exit toward CR 4: Eden Prairie Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CR 4: Eden Prairie Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.59 one way
$25.18 round trip
$4.02/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.28 | $13.41 | $26.81 |
| premium | $4.85 | $15.17 | $30.35 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $17.52 | $35.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.35 | $3.82 |
| Efficient EV | 19.9 | 0 | $6.96 | $3.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.13 | $5.09 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Destination
Eden Prairie, MN
Late night in Eden Prairie on Friday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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
1h 40m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 97% of the 79.5 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 47.1 miles on US 212, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads, like Scenic Heights Road, will occur towards the end of your trip. Expect a generally smooth ride with minimal detours from main thoroughfares.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.1 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and US Highway 14. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 15; MN 68 / North Broadway.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 1h 40m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 15; MN 68 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 14; MN 15 / US Highway 14): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,051 ft
880 ft
Total Climb
179 ft
Total Descent
192 ft
Highest Point
1,051 ft
~22.7 mi in
Elevation Range
171 ft
About the Cities
Starting in New Ulm, MN
Full guide →Founded 1854
New Ulm is a prosperous small city in Southern Minnesota. It is the seat of Brown County, and had population of 14,000 in 2020. The people of New Ulm are very proud of their German heritage, and commemorate it year round with parades, parties, and holiday celebrations.
Top landmarks
- • Hermann Heights Monument — monument topped with statue of a German warrior in New Ulm, Minnesota
- • Grand Hotel — hotel in New Ulm, Minnesota, United States
- • Wanda Gág House — childhood home of Wanda Gag and now a museum of her work
Arriving in Eden Prairie, MN
Full guide →Founded 1858
Eden Prairie is a suburban city in the Twin Cities of Minnesota.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 79.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.1 miles on US 212. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 15; MN 68 / North Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 14; MN 15 / 7th North Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (US 14; MN 15 / US Highway 14): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Eden Prairie, MN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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