Origin
Eagan, MN
Afternoon in Eagan on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eagan, MN to Apple Valley, MN
Drive Time
10m
Distance
7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 10m
★
6 AM
0h 11m
8 AM
0h 13m
10 AM
0h 11m
12 PM
0h 11m
3 PM
0h 12m
5 PM
0h 13m
8 PM
0h 10m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagan, MN
Tom Fisk
Apple Valley, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Eagan and Apple Valley, this 7-mile journey is the definition of a straightforward local commute. You can expect to spend about 10 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. Budgeting roughly $1 for fuel covers your needs for this short excursion within the Minnesota Midwest. Because the distance is so minimal, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or complex itineraries. Navigating this route is efficient, allowing you to focus on your destination rather than the logistics of the road.
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
3.5 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a turn-heavy local drive that lacks any significant highway segments, as the highway share is 0%. You will primarily navigate using Diffley Road, I-35E South, and MN-77 to bridge the two cities. With a longest stretch of 0 miles on Diffley Road, you should be prepared for frequent turns and intersection management rather than long-distance cruising. The experience is purely functional, requiring your full attention as you transition between local surface streets. Do not expect an interstate grind here; instead, anticipate a steady, attentive pace through the suburban landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Diffley Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Eagan, MN to Apple Valley, MN is easy. At 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Eagan, MN to Apple Valley, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diffley Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35E South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 77 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 77 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cedar Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Diffley Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan, MN and Apple Valley, MN.
1
Start on Pilot Knob Road
223 ft
·
6 sec
·
Pilot Knob Road
2
Turn left onto Diffley Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Diffley Road
3
Turn left onto I 35E South
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
I 35E South
4
Merge slight left
1.3 mi
·
1 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward MN 77: Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
MN 77: Cedar Avenue
6
Keep slight left to continue on MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
7
Keep slight right to continue on MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
MN 77 South: Cedar Avenue
8
Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Cedar Avenue
9
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the 10-minute duration, you have total flexibility regarding your departure time, as traffic patterns are unlikely to impact your schedule significantly. Since there are zero planned stops along the 7-mile route, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for rest breaks or refueling. Keep in mind that the route relies heavily on local roads, so stay alert for changing speed limits and residential intersections. My best tip for this specific drive is to familiarize yourself with the Diffley Road segments beforehand, as the turn-heavy nature of the route makes it easy to miss a turn if you aren't paying close attention to your navigation.
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 3.5 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 5m into the drive.
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 7 miles or 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.5 miles or 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Apple Valley, 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 7 miles and 10m.
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.5 mi from Eagan, MN · 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.5 miles from Eagan, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Apple Valley, MN
The final approach into Apple Valley, 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 Apple Valley, 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
$1.00 one way
$2.00 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $1.08 | $2.16 |
| premium | $4.39 | $1.21 | $2.42 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.56 | $3.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.74 | $0.34 |
| Efficient EV | 1.8 | 0 | $0.61 | $0.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.8 | 0 | $0.98 | $0.45 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
Apple Valley, MN
Afternoon in Apple Valley on Sunday
Local time
4:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
15 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
10m 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 Apple Valley, MN covers 7 miles and takes about 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Diffley Road, I 35E South, MN 77. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.5 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 $1.00 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.
The drive from Eagan, MN to Apple Valley, MN is easy. At 10m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Eagan, MN to Apple Valley, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Eagan, MN to Apple Valley, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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