Origin
Detroit Lakes, MN
Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Detroit Lakes, MN to Eden Prairie, MN
Drive Time
3h 58m
Distance
201.5 mi
324 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 46m
★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 5m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 23m
8 PM
3h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Detroit Lakes, MN
Tom Fisk
Eden Prairie, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Traveling from Detroit Lakes to Eden Prairie covers 201.5 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 58 minutes. This route serves as an efficient connection through the Midwest, making it a manageable day trip that fits easily into a single day of driving. With a fuel budget of approximately $29, you can plan your logistics without worrying about major refueling expenses. While the distance is significant, the path is straightforward and reliable for those moving between these two Minnesota hubs. You will spend your journey transitioning through the heart of the state, ensuring a consistent experience from start to finish.
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
100.8 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Drive Character
This mixed-profile drive transitions across various road types, requiring you to stay alert as conditions shift. You will navigate a combination of local routes, including 78.4 miles on West Mason Avenue, before merging onto the broader US 10 and I-94 corridors. With 52% of your journey spent on highways, you should expect a blend of slower, more technical sections and faster, high-traffic interstate stretches. The longest uninterrupted segment occurs early on West Mason Avenue, setting the pace before you reach the more heavily traveled highway portions of the trip.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Mason Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 44.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 201.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 44.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
44.5 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
183.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
197.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m 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
198.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
CR 62
Turn right onto CR 62
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
198.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m in
|
CR 60 / Baker Road
Turn left onto CR 60 / Baker Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Mason Avenue | 78.4 mi | 1h 29m |
| US 10 | 70.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 94 | 21.1 mi | 22m |
| I 494 | 13.5 mi | 16m |
| Ash Avenue Northwest | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Baker Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Broadway Street East | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
West Mason Avenue
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes, MN and Eden Prairie, MN.
1
Start on CR 22
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 10
44 mi
·
50 min
·
US 10
3
Enter roundabout
103 ft
·
1 sec
4
Continue
66 ft
·
0 sec
5
Turn straight onto US 10
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Ash Avenue Northwest
6
Continue on US 10
78 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
West Mason Avenue
Use the none / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 10
8
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
9
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
10
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
County Road 11
11
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 25
12
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Pine Street
13
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street East
14
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Fenning Avenue
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
16
Merge onto I 94
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 494
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 494
Use the none lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 13
Toward MN 62, CR 62
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn right onto CR 62
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
CR 62
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto CR 60
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Baker Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on CR 60
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Mitchell Road
Use the none lane.
23
Turn right onto Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Scenic Heights Road
Use the right lane.
24
Arrive at destination
Scenic Heights Road
Trip Plan
To ensure a smooth journey, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid peak congestion as you approach the Eden Prairie area. Since the entire trip is designed to be completed in a single day, you only need to account for one planned stop to maintain your energy levels. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the initial 78.4-mile stretch on West Mason Avenue, as services may be less frequent than on the major interstate portions. Given the four-hour duration, scheduling your break near the midpoint of the drive will help you stay refreshed for the final approach. This flexibility allows you to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions without needing to book an overnight stay.
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 100.8 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.8 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 13m
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 Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN
This is one driving day of about 201.5 miles and 3h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Detroit Lakes, 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 West Mason Avenue for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 100.8 mi from Detroit Lakes, MN · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.8 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West Mason Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
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
$28.82 one way
$57.64 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $31.11 | $62.21 |
| premium | $4.39 | $34.84 | $69.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.77 | $89.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.16 | $9.67 |
| Efficient EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.63 | $8.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.6 | 1 | $28.21 | $12.90 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Eden Prairie on Sunday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
101 mi in
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 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 Detroit Lakes, MN to Eden Prairie, MN covers 201.5 miles and takes about 3h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Mason Avenue, US 10, I 94. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100.8 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $28.82 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 201.5 miles you will encounter 12 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 44.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 183.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Detroit Lakes, MN to Eden Prairie, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Eden Prairie, MN to Detroit Lakes, MNPlan the drive back the other way.
201.8 mi
3h 59m
Continue From Eden Prairie, MN
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