Trip from Arnold, MN to Eagan, MN

Q: What are the main roads on this route?

The main roads are I 35, I 35E, Woodland Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Q: Is this a good same-day trip?

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Q: Where should I stop halfway?

The midpoint is about 85.5 miles from Arnold, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

Q: How much does gas cost for this trip?

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Q: What is the best time to leave?

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Q: How many breaks should I plan?

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Data updated 5 hours ago

Drive Time

3h 23m

Distance

171.1 mi

275 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 12m ★

6 AM

3h 24m

8 AM

3h 48m

10 AM

3h 32m

12 PM

3h 30m

3 PM

3h 33m

5 PM

3h 47m

8 PM

3h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Arnold, MN

Tom Fisk

Eagan, MN

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Trip Overview

The drive from Arnold, MN to Eagan, MN covers 171.1 miles and takes about 3h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 35, I 35E, Woodland Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 131.3 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.46 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

85.5 miles from Arnold, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

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Drive Character

This is a 3h 23m highway drive covering 171.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and I 35E. The longest continuous stretch is about 131.3 miles on I 35.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 131.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 137.7 miles in near I 35E.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 171.1 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 137.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

137.7 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | I 35E

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward Saint Paul

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Saint Paul

147.6 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in

Take the exit toward CR 96

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 117 Toward CR 96

150.7 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E South

152.6 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | I 35E

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul

158.8 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in | I 35E

Take the exit onto I 35E toward I 35E South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Exit 241C Toward I 35E South

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Arnold, MN and Eagan, MN, road signs point toward Saint Paul and Cr 96.

Saint Paul

137.7 mi in | ~2h 36m | via I 35E

Cr 96

147.6 mi in | ~2h 47m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35	131.3 mi	2h 22m
I 35E	27.3 mi	33m
Woodland Avenue	3.2 mi	6m
Centerville Road	2.3 mi	4m
Pilot Knob Road	2.3 mi	4m
Arnold Road	1.8 mi	4m
North 21st Avenue East	0.6 mi	1m
East Calvary Road	0.5 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 35 — 131.3 mi, about 2h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arnold, MN and Eagan, MN.

Start on CH 36

1.8 mi · 4 min · Arnold Road

Turn left onto CH 121

0.5 mi · 53 sec · East Calvary Road

At end of road, turn right onto CH 9

3.2 mi · 6 min · Woodland Avenue

Turn left onto North 21st Avenue East

0.6 mi · 1 min · North 21st Avenue East

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Merge onto I 35

3.1 mi · 3 min · I 35

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

128 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

9.9 mi · 10 min · I 35E

Toward Saint Paul Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Exit 117 Toward CR 96 Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CH 96

492 ft · 12 sec · CH 96

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto CH 59

2.3 mi · 4 min · Centerville Road

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto CH 15

0.4 mi · 1 min · County Road E

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

226 ft · 5 sec

Toward I 35E South: Saint Paul Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 35E South Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

1.6 mi · 2 min · I 35E

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E

5.5 mi · 6 min · I 35E

Toward I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

0.7 mi · 48 sec · I 35E

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit onto I 35E

9.6 mi · 13 min · I 35E

Exit 241C Toward I 35E South Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Exit 97B Toward CR 28: Yankee Doodle Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 28

510 ft · 11 sec · Yankee Doodle Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto CR 31

2.2 mi · 4 min · Pilot Knob Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on CR 31

513 ft · 9 sec · Pilot Knob Road

Arrive at destination

CR 31

Trip Plan

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 85.5 miles from Arnold, MN, or about 1h 40m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.3 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 85.5 miles or 1h 40m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 39m

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 Arnold, 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 Arnold, MN

This is one driving day of about 171.1 miles and 3h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arnold, 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 35 for about 131.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 85.5 mi from Arnold, MN · 1h 40m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Rock Creek, MN

86 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

Mission Creek, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mission Creek, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85.5 miles from Arnold, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.3 miles.

Arriving in Eagan, MN

The final approach into Eagan, 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 Eagan, MN.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.46 one way

$50.93 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.07	$27.44	$54.87
premium	$4.53	$30.53	$61.06
diesel	$5.61	$37.78	$75.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	51.3	$17.97	$8.21
Efficient EV	42.8	$14.97	$6.84
EV Truck/SUV	68.4	$23.95	$10.95

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 data refreshed 2 hours ago

Origin

Arnold, MN

Night in Arnold on Tuesday

Local time

9:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

31°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Eagan, MN

Night in Eagan on Tuesday

Local time

9:04 PM

CDT

Current temp

40°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

9 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

3h 23m 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 Arnold, MN to Eagan, MN covers 171.1 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 35, I 35E, Woodland Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 85.5 miles from Arnold, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.46 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.