The drive from Benson, MN to Eagan, MN covers 138.5 miles and takes about 3h 13m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, I 494, Pleasant Avenue West for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50.3 miles on US 12.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.61 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
69.2 miles from Benson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 13m. Total distance: 138.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 13m drive with frequent turns across 138.5 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 52 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 50.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.6 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 138.5 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 113.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
113.6 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
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 1A-B
Toward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
7
113.9 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494
7
114.3 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 494 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 494 South
7
131 mi into trip|~3h 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
131.3 mi into trip|~3h 1m 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
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 12
50.3 mi
1h 9m
I 494
16.1 mi
20m
Pleasant Avenue West
13.3 mi
18m
Babcock Boulevard
13.2 mi
17m
East Depot Street
11.8 mi
13m
15th Ave Northeast
6.8 mi
8m
Babcock Boulevard West
3.9 mi
5m
60th Street Southwest
3.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 50.3 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benson, MN and Eagan, MN.
1
Start on this road
132 ft·12 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto MN 9
0.9 mi·2 min·Atlantic Avenue
3
Continue on US 12
28 mi·38 min·US 12
4
Enter roundabout onto US 12
75 ft·1 sec·US 12
5
Continue on US 12
0.5 mi·45 sec·US 12
6
Enter roundabout onto US 12
110 ft·1 sec·US 12
7
Continue on US 12
1.3 mi·2 min·US 12
8
Continue on US 12
0.3 mi·53 sec·Litchfield Avenue Southwest
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on US 12
369 ft·10 sec·Highway 12 Bypass Southwest
10
Turn right onto Benson Avenue Southwest
0.4 mi·1 min·Benson Avenue Southwest
11
Take the ramp
125 ft·4 sec
12
Merge onto US 12
405 ft·11 sec·Pacific Avenue Southeast
13
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi·1 min·Litchfield Avenue Southeast
14
Continue on US 12
4.6 mi·6 min·US 12
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 12
0.8 mi·1 min·Pacific Avenue
16
Continue on US 12
6.8 mi·8 min·15th Ave Northeast
17
Continue on US 12
13 mi·18 min·Pleasant Avenue West
18
Continue on US 12; MN 22
0.9 mi·2 min·North Sibley Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 12
12 mi·13 min·East Depot Street
20
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi·2 min·US 12
21
Continue on US 12
2.7 mi·3 min·50th Street Southwest
22
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi·1 min·Cokato Street West
23
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12
24
Continue on US 12
3.5 mi·4 min·60th Street Southwest
25
Continue on US 12
1.0 mi·2 min·6th Street
26
Continue on US 12
4.1 mi·5 min·US 12
27
Continue on US 12
0.7 mi·1 min·Pacific Avenue
28
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi·2 min·US 12
29
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi·2 min·Nelson Boulevard
30
Continue on US 12; MN 25
2.4 mi·3 min·US 12; MN 25
31
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi·19 sec·60th Street Southeast
32
Continue on US 12
3.6 mi·5 min·US 12
33
Continue on US 12
3.9 mi·5 min·Babcock Boulevard West
34
Enter roundabout onto US 12
140 ft·1 sec·Babcock Boulevard
35
Continue on US 12
2.1 mi·2 min·Babcock Boulevard
36
Enter roundabout onto US 12
140 ft·1 sec·Babcock Boulevard
37
Continue on US 12
11 mi·14 min·Babcock Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
38
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 1A-BToward I 494: Carlson Parkway, Linner RoadUse the slight right lane.
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 494Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Merge onto I 494
16 mi·20 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 2CToward MN 77 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Killebrew DriveUse the straight / slight left lanes.
44
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward MN 77 South
45
Merge onto MN 77
3.1 mi·3 min·Cedar Avenue South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 4Toward CR 30: Diffley RoadUse the slight right lane.
47
Turn left onto CR 30
0.7 mi·1 min·Diffley Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
48
Enter roundabout onto CR 30
84 ft·1 sec·Diffley Road
49
Continue on CR 30
2.0 mi·3 min·Diffley Road
50
Turn right onto CR 31
0.1 mi·41 sec·Pilot Knob Road
51
Continue on CR 31
513 ft·9 sec·Pilot Knob Road
52
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 69.2 miles from Benson, MN, or about 1h 37m 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 30 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.2 miles or 1h 37m 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 37m
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 Benson, 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 Benson, MN
This is one driving day of about 138.5 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Benson, 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 US 12 for about 50.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.2 mi from Benson, MN
· 1h 37m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.61 one way
$41.22 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$22.21
$44.42
premium
$4.53
$24.71
$49.42
diesel
$5.61
$30.58
$61.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.6
0
$14.54
$6.65
Efficient EV
34.6
0
$12.12
$5.54
EV Truck/SUV
55.4
0
$19.39
$8.86
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Benson, MN
Late night
in Benson on Friday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Eagan, MN
Late night
in Eagan on Friday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°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
2 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 13m 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 Benson, MN to Eagan, MN covers 138.5 miles and takes about 3h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, I 494, Pleasant Avenue West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.2 miles from Benson, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.61 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 138.5 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 113.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Benson, MN to Eagan, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
