Origin
Clear Lake, MN
Evening in Clear Lake on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clear Lake, MN to Eagan, MN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
71.1 mi
114 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 24m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 34m
3 PM
1h 36m
5 PM
1h 44m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clear Lake, MN
Tom Fisk
Eagan, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 71.1-mile drive from Clear Lake, MN to Eagan, MN is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 30 minutes, making it ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on major interstates, with 80% of the journey utilizing highways like I-494, I-94, and US-10. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $11, reflecting its efficiency. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so you won't experience a dramatic shift in scenery or culture. This route is designed for getting from point A to point B efficiently, with no planned stops recommended.
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
35.6 miles from Clear Lake, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 71.1-mile journey, with 80% of the drive taking place on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 24.7 miles along I-494. This profile suggests a consistent pace, primarily on well-maintained, high-speed roads that are built for efficient travel. While there are no significant changes in road type, the transitions between I-494, I-94, and US-10 will offer minor shifts in the surrounding landscape and traffic patterns as you progress toward Eagan.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 494 is the longest continuous segment at about 24.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 494 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.4 miles in near I 94.
Route Complexity
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 71.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 17.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
17.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
38.5 mi into trip
|
~46m 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
7
63.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m 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
64 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m 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
7
67.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward CR 30: Diffley Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 4
Toward CR 30: Diffley Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 | 24.7 mi | 30m |
| I 94 | 21.1 mi | 22m |
| US 10 | 10.8 mi | 12m |
| Cedar Avenue South | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| Diffley Road | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Broadway Street East | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 494
— 24.7 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clear Lake, MN and Eagan, MN.
1
Start on MN 24
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Center Street
2
Turn right onto US 10
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 10
3
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
4
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
5
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
County Road 11
6
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 25
7
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Pine Street
8
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street East
9
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Fenning Avenue
10
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
11
Merge onto I 94
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 494
25 mi
·
30 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 2C
Toward MN 77 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward MN 77 South: Killebrew Drive
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Toward MN 77 South
17
Merge onto MN 77
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Cedar Avenue South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 4
Toward CR 30: Diffley Road
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn left onto CR 30
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Diffley Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto CR 30
84 ft
·
1 sec
·
Diffley Road
21
Continue on CR 30
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Diffley Road
22
Turn right onto CR 31
0.1 mi
·
41 sec
·
Pilot Knob Road
23
Continue on CR 31
513 ft
·
9 sec
·
Pilot Knob Road
24
Arrive at destination
CR 31
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 30-minute duration, this 71.1-mile route offers plenty of flexibility. You can depart at any time that suits your schedule, and with no recommended stops, you can push through directly to Eagan. The $11 fuel cost is minimal, so keeping your tank topped off shouldn't be a concern. Pay attention to traffic, especially as you approach the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area on I-494 and I-94, as congestion can impact your travel time. A practical tip for this drive is to check real-time traffic conditions before you leave Clear Lake, as unexpected delays on these busy interstates can easily add to your commute.
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 35.6 miles from Clear Lake, MN, or about 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 24.7 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 16 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.6 miles or 43m 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 13m
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 Clear Lake, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clear Lake, MN
This is one driving day of about 71.1 miles and 1h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Clear Lake, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 494 for about 24.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 35.6 mi from Clear Lake, MN · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.6 miles from Clear Lake, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.58 one way
$21.16 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $11.40 | $22.80 |
| premium | $4.53 | $12.69 | $25.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.70 | $31.40 |
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: 24.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.47 | $3.41 |
| Efficient EV | 17.8 | 0 | $6.22 | $2.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.95 | $4.55 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Eagan, MN
Evening in Eagan on Wednesday
Local time
6:34 PM
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
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 30m 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 Clear Lake, MN to Eagan, MN covers 71.1 miles and takes about 1h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 494, I 94, US 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.6 miles from Clear Lake, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.58 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 71.1 miles you will encounter 15 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 17.4 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clear Lake, MN to Eagan, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Eagan, MN
More from Clear Lake, MN
More trips to Eagan, MN
Explore more options from Clear Lake, MN or browse trips ending in Eagan, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Clear Lake, MN or Eagan, MN on MapSof.net.