Origin
Arden Hills, MN
Evening in Arden Hills on Sunday
Local time
7:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arden Hills, MN to Lakeville, MN
Drive Time
45m
Distance
34.1 mi
55 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 42m
★
6 AM
0h 46m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 48m
3 PM
0h 49m
5 PM
0h 53m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeville, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Spanning 34.1 miles across the Minnesota Midwest, this direct route connects Arden Hills to Lakeville in about 45 minutes. It serves as an efficient, highway-focused drive that is easily completed within a single day. You will spend roughly $5 on fuel for this commute, making it a very affordable trip. Given the short duration, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. Whether you are heading south for business or a quick visit, this path provides a straightforward link between the two cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
17.1 miles from Arden Hills, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed travel, as 77% of the journey is spent on highways. The route utilizes I-35W, Snelling Avenue North, and Kenwood Trail to move you quickly toward your destination. You will settle into your longest uninterrupted stretch of 25 miles while navigating I-35W, which accounts for the bulk of your time behind the wheel. The transition from the Arden Hills area into the flow of the interstate defines the character of this drive, shifting from local roads to a more fast-paced highway environment.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35W is the longest continuous segment at about 25 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 34.1 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 0.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (MN 51 / Hamline Avenue North): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp toward MN 51 South
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward MN 51 South
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
MN 51 / Hamline Avenue North
Merge onto MN 51 / Hamline Avenue North
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
2.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward MN 36 West: Minneapolis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward MN 36 West: Minneapolis
8
29.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward CR 5, CR 50
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 85
Toward CR 5, CR 50
6
34.1 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
207th Street West
Turn left onto 207th Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Arden Hills, MN and Lakeville, MN, road signs point toward Cr 5 and Cr 50.
Cr 5
29.4 mi in
|
~37m
Cr 50
29.4 mi in
|
~37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35W | 25 mi | 31m |
| Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Snelling Avenue North | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Kenwood Trail | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| MN 36 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Hamline Avenue North | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Holyoke Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35W
— 25 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arden Hills, MN and Lakeville, MN.
1
Start on CH 15
442 ft
·
21 sec
·
West County Road E
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward MN 51 South
3
Merge onto MN 51
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Hamline Avenue North
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on MN 51
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Snelling Avenue North
Use the none lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward MN 36 West: Minneapolis
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto MN 36
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
MN 36
Use the none lane.
7
Merge onto I 35W
25 mi
·
31 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 85
Toward CR 5, CR 50
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto CR 5
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenwood Trail
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Enter roundabout onto CR 5
127 ft
·
2 sec
·
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
11
Continue on CR 5
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
12
Continue on CR 5
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
13
Continue on CR 50
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
14
Enter roundabout onto Holyoke Avenue
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
Holyoke Avenue
15
Continue on Holyoke Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Holyoke Avenue
16
Turn left onto 207th Street West
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
207th Street West
Use the left lane.
17
Arrive at destination
207th Street West
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 45-minute trip, you have the flexibility to leave whenever your schedule permits without worrying about fatigue. You won't need to plan for any stops, as the entire 34.1-mile distance is manageable in one go. Keep in mind that the majority of your travel occurs on major thoroughfares, so stay alert for typical interstate traffic patterns. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic conditions on I-35W before you depart, as the 25-mile highway stretch can experience congestion depending on the time of day. Enjoy the simplicity of this short drive through the region.
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 17.1 miles from Arden Hills, MN, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25 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 34.1 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.1 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeville, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arden Hills, 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 Arden Hills, MN
This is one driving day of about 34.1 miles and 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arden Hills, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 35W for about 25 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.1 mi from Arden Hills, MN · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.1 miles from Arden Hills, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakeville, MN
The final approach into Lakeville, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lakeville, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.88 one way
$9.75 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $5.26 | $10.53 |
| premium | $4.39 | $5.90 | $11.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.58 | $15.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.2 | 0 | $3.58 | $1.64 |
| Efficient EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.98 | $1.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.6 | 0 | $4.77 | $2.18 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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.
Destination
Lakeville, MN
Evening in Lakeville on Sunday
Local time
7:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
25 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
45m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arden Hills, MN to Lakeville, MN covers 34.1 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35W, Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway, Snelling Avenue North. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.1 miles from Arden Hills, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 34.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (MN 51 / Hamline Avenue North): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Arden Hills, MN and Lakeville, MN, road signs point toward Cr 5 and Cr 50.
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