This 75.3-mile drive from Watab to Eden Prairie in Minnesota is a straightforward, highway-focused trip designed for a single day. You'll spend about 1 hour and 34 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing US 10, I-94, and I-494. With a projected fuel cost of around $11, this route is budget-friendly. The Midwest regions of both your starting and ending points suggest a familiar landscape. It's an efficient journey, perfect for those looking to reach their destination without a lengthy travel commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.6 miles from Watab, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
29.8 mi
34m
I 94
21.1 mi
22m
I 494
13.5 mi
16m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Baker Road
1.7 mi
3m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
1m
Mitchell Road
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 29.8 mi, about 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watab, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
1
Start on CR 55
20 ft·1 sec·Northeast River Road
2
Turn right onto CR 79
0.3 mi·46 sec·75th Street Northwest
3
Turn right onto US 10
3.6 mi·4 min·US 10
4
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
5
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
6
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
7
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
8
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
9
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
10
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
11
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
13
Merge onto I 94
21 mi·22 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 494
14 mi·16 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 13Toward MN 62, CR 62Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto CR 62
0.1 mi·20 sec·CR 62
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto CR 60
1.7 mi·3 min·Baker Road
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on CR 60
1.0 mi·2 min·Mitchell Road
20
Turn right onto Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Scenic Heights Road
Use the right lane.
21
Arrive at destination
Scenic Heights Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour and 34 minutes, this drive is easily manageable in one day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving earlier in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Eden Prairie. With no designated stops noted, you can plan your own breaks as needed, though the relatively short distance means you won't need to plan for extensive rest periods. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; while the estimated cost is low, it's always wise to top off before heading out, especially since the longest stretch without a significant change in road is nearly 30 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 37.6 miles from Watab, MN, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.8 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 17 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.6 miles or 47m 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 17m
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 Watab, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Watab, MN
This is one driving day of about 75.3 miles and 1h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Watab, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 29.8 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 36.5 and 72 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
36.5 mi into trip|~46m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
57.6 mi into trip|~1h 9m 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
8
71.6 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward MN 62, CR 62
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward MN 62, CR 62
6
71.9 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|CR 62
Turn right onto CR 62
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
72 mi into trip|~1h 27m in|CR 60 / Baker Road
Turn left onto CR 60 / Baker Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.21 one way
$22.41 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$12.07
$24.15
premium
$4.53
$13.44
$26.87
diesel
$5.61
$16.63
$33.25
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.6
0
$7.91
$3.61
Efficient EV
18.8
0
$6.59
$3.01
EV Truck/SUV
30.1
0
$10.54
$4.82
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Watab, MN
Night
in Watab on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eden Prairie, MN
Night
in Eden Prairie on Saturday
Local time
11:37 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Albertville, MN
38 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
5 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 34m 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-centric experience on this route, with 86% of the journey taking place on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 29.8 miles on US 10, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While largely an interstate drive, the transition between US 10, I-94, and I-494 will provide some variation in your surroundings. This is a route built for covering distance efficiently, rather than for winding country roads.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.8 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 36.5 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.3 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 36.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 75.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 29.8 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 Eden Prairie, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
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: at 36.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 57.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Eden Prairie, MN before heading back.
