Origin
Eagan, MN
Evening in Eagan on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eagan, MN to Afton, MN
Drive Time
35m
Distance
23.7 mi
38 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagan, MN
Tom Fisk
Afton, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick excursion within Minnesota, the 23.7-mile connection between Eagan and Afton is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 35 minutes behind the wheel, making it a highly efficient route for those who prefer to keep travel time to a minimum. Budgeting approximately $3 for fuel covers the trip comfortably, allowing you to focus your resources on your destination. Since both locations are situated in the Midwest, the drive maintains a familiar regional feel throughout. This journey is straightforward enough that you will not need an overnight stay, providing maximum flexibility for your schedule. Whether you are running errands or heading out for a change of scenery, this transit offers a simple and practical way to navigate between these two points.
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
11.8 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed driving profile that keeps the journey engaging by alternating between different road types. You will spend about 35% of your time on highways, balancing efficient interstate travel with local road navigation. A significant portion of the route utilizes I-494, while Bailey Road and 40th Street South handle the remainder of the transit. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is 7.2 miles along Bailey Road, which provides a steady rhythm before you transition back to other road segments. Because the drive is relatively short, you will experience a quick shift in road environments, moving from the busier interstate flow to the more localized feel of the secondary roads as you approach Afton.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Bailey Road is the longest continuous segment at about 7.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 23.7 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 35E North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North
6
3.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward I 494 West, I 494 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 99A-B
Toward I 494 West, I 494 East
8
4.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 494 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99A
Toward I 494 East
7
11.3 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
Wakota Bridge
Take the exit onto Wakota Bridge toward CH 38: Maxwell Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 63C
Toward CH 38: Maxwell Avenue
6
11.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
CH 38 / Maxwell Avenue
Turn left onto CH 38 / Maxwell Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bailey Road | 7.2 mi | 10m |
| I 494 | 6.5 mi | 8m |
| 40th Street South | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Afton Boulevard | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| I 35E | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Pilot Knob Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Maxwell Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Wakota Bridge | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Bailey Road
— 7.2 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan, MN and Afton, MN.
1
Start on CR 31
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pilot Knob Road
Use the left / none lanes.
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 35E North
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
3
Merge onto I 35E
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35E
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 99A-B
Toward I 494 West, I 494 East
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 99A
Toward I 494 East
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 494
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
I 494
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto Wakota Bridge
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Wakota Bridge
Exit 63C
Toward CH 38: Maxwell Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto CH 38
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Maxwell Avenue
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on CH 18
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Bailey Road
Use the straight lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
144 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bailey Road
11
Continue on CH 18
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bailey Road
Use the none lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
125 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bailey Road
13
Continue on CH 18
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bailey Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Enter roundabout onto CH 18
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
Bailey Road
15
Continue on CH 18
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bailey Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on CH 18
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
40th Street South
17
Continue on CH 18
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Afton Boulevard
18
Arrive at destination
CH 18
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 35-minute drive, you have the advantage of total departure flexibility, allowing you to head out whenever it suits your plans. Because there are no mandatory stops required for a trip of this length, you can easily complete the entire 23.7-mile distance in one go without the need for pacing or rest breaks. However, keep in mind that the mix of highway and local roads means traffic patterns can shift quickly; stay alert when transitioning off I-494. A great way to prepare is to ensure your fuel tank is ready for the $3 estimate, though you certainly won't need to plan for mid-route refueling. Use the simplicity of this route to your benefit by leaving during off-peak hours to ensure the most relaxed driving experience possible.
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 11.8 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.2 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 23.7 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.8 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Afton, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Eagan, 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 Eagan, MN
This is one driving day of about 23.7 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Eagan, 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 Bailey Road for about 7.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.8 mi from Eagan, MN · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 23.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.8 miles from Eagan, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Afton, MN
The final approach into Afton, 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 Afton, 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
$3.39 one way
$6.78 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $3.66 | $7.32 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.10 | $8.20 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.27 | $10.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.49 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 5.9 | 0 | $2.07 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Afton, MN
Evening in Afton on Sunday
Local time
5:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
31 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
35m 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 Eagan, MN to Afton, MN covers 23.7 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Bailey Road, I 494, 40th Street South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.8 miles from Eagan, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.39 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 23.7 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 1.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Eagan, MN to Afton, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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