Origin
Big Lake, MN
Late night in Big Lake on Wednesday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Lake, MN to Eden Prairie, MN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
58m
Distance
44 mi
71 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Lake, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Eden Prairie, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 44-mile drive from Big Lake, MN to Eden Prairie, MN is a straightforward trip, perfect for a single day. Expect the journey to take about 58 minutes, making it an easy commute or a quick getaway within Minnesota. With 79% of the route on highways, it's a predominantly fast-paced drive. The estimated fuel cost is around $7, which is quite economical for a trip of this length. Given the short distance and duration, no overnight stops are necessary. This route keeps you within the Midwest region, offering a familiar feel as you travel.
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
22 miles from Big Lake, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with a significant 79% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter stretches like a continuous 21.1 miles on I-94, allowing for consistent speed. The route incorporates I-94 and I-494, suggesting a blend of interstate travel that's efficient for covering ground. While not explicitly scenic, the highway-focused profile means you'll experience the typical flow and infrastructure of major interstates in the region, offering a predictable driving experience.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 21.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 494. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near I 94.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 44 miles you will encounter 8 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 5.3 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
5.3 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
26.4 mi into trip
|
~33m 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
40.4 mi into trip
|
~50m 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
40.6 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
CR 62
Turn right onto CR 62
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
40.8 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
CR 60 / Baker Road
Turn left onto CR 60 / Baker Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Big Lake, MN to Eden Prairie, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 62 along the way.
Cr 62
40.4 mi in
|
~50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 21.1 mi | 22m |
| I 494 | 13.5 mi | 16m |
| Lake Street South | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Baker Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Broadway Street East | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Mitchell Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Scenic Heights Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Fenning Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 21.1 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
1
Start on US 10; MN 25
53 ft
·
4 sec
·
Jefferson Boulevard
2
Turn right onto MN 25
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Lake Street South
3
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Pine Street
4
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street East
5
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Fenning Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
7
Merge onto I 94
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 494
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 13
Toward MN 62, CR 62
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto CR 62
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
CR 62
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto CR 60
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Baker Road
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on CR 60
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Mitchell Road
14
Turn right onto Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Scenic Heights Road
Use the right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
Scenic Heights Road
Trip Plan
For this short 44-mile trip, flexibility is key. You can easily complete this drive in under an hour, so consider leaving when traffic is lightest, perhaps mid-morning or early afternoon, to avoid potential congestion on I-94 and I-494. With only an estimated $7 in fuel costs, you won't need frequent or extensive refueling stops. Plan for one brief stop if needed, but the 58-minute duration makes it quite manageable without one. A practical tip: pay close attention to lane usage as you transition between I-94 and I-494, as these are major arteries with multiple lanes and potential merging traffic.
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 22 miles from Big Lake, MN, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.1 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 44 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46m
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 Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, MN
This is one driving day of about 44 miles and 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Big Lake, 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 94 for about 21.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22 mi from Big Lake, MN · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22 miles from Big Lake, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Eden Prairie, MN
The final approach into Eden Prairie, 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 Eden Prairie, 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
$6.55 one way
$13.10 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $7.06 | $14.11 |
| premium | $4.53 | $7.85 | $15.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.71 | $19.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.62 | $2.11 |
| Efficient EV | 11 | 0 | $3.85 | $1.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.16 | $2.82 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Eden Prairie, MN
Late night in Eden Prairie on Wednesday
Local time
5:01 AM
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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
58m 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 Big Lake, MN to Eden Prairie, MN covers 44 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 494, Lake Street South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22 miles from Big Lake, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.55 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 44 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Big Lake, MN to Eden Prairie, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 62 along the way.
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