Origin
Eagan, MN
Afternoon in Eagan on Friday
Local time
1:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eagan, MN to Benson, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
138.8 mi
223 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 11m
8 AM
3h 35m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 17m
3 PM
3h 21m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagan, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Benson, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Eagan, MN to Benson, MN covers 138.8 miles and takes about 3h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, Pacific Avenue Southeast, I 494 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.1 miles on US 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.66 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
69.4 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 138.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 11m drive with frequent turns across 138.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 51 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 138.8 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles (I 494; MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
7 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
6
16 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 494; MN 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
23.9 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
6
24.2 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 West: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 West: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
7
24.6 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 26.1 mi | 35m |
| Pacific Avenue Southeast | 24.9 mi | 36m |
| I 494 | 16.7 mi | 20m |
| US Highway 12 | 13.3 mi | 18m |
| Parker Avenue East | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa | 11 mi | 14m |
| 15th Ave Northeast | 6.8 mi | 8m |
| Babcock Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 26.1 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan, MN and Benson, MN.
1
Start on CR 31
222 ft
·
6 sec
·
Pilot Knob Road
2
Turn left onto CR 30
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Diffley Road
Use the left lane.
3
Enter roundabout onto CR 30
100 ft
·
2 sec
·
Diffley Road
4
Continue on CR 30
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Diffley Road
5
Take the ramp
304 ft
·
8 sec
Toward MN 77 North: Cedar Avenue
6
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
7
Merge onto MN 77
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Cedar Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Use the right lane.
9
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 494; MN 5
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 19B
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 394
80 ft
·
1 sec
·
I 394
Exit 1A
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 12 West: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 12
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto US 12
135 ft
·
1 sec
·
Babcock Boulevard
17
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Babcock Boulevard
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Babcock Boulevard
19
Continue on US 12
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
20
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
60th Street Southeast
21
Continue on US 12
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 12
22
Turn slight right onto US 12; MN 25
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
60th Street Southeast
23
Merge onto US 12; MN 25
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; MN 25
24
Continue on US 12; MN 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Nelson Boulevard
25
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
26
Continue on US 12
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pacific Avenue
27
Continue on US 12
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
28
Continue on US 12
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
29
Continue on US 12
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
60th Street Southwest
30
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
31
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cokato Street
32
Continue on US 12
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
50th Street Southwest
33
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
34
Continue on US 12
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Parker Avenue East
35
Turn right onto US 12; MN 22
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sibley Avenue
36
Continue on US 12; MN 22
13 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 12
37
Continue on US 12
6.8 mi
·
8 min
·
15th Ave Northeast
38
Continue on US 12
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pacific Avenue
39
Continue on US 12
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
US 12
Use the right lane.
40
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Litchfield Avenue Southeast
41
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Pacific Avenue Southeast
42
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway 12 Bypass Southwest
Use the straight lane.
43
Continue on US 12
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
Litchfield Avenue Southwest
44
Continue on US 12
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
Use the straight lane.
45
Enter roundabout onto US 12
110 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 12
46
Continue on US 12
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 12
47
Enter roundabout onto US 12
95 ft
·
1 sec
·
US 12
48
Continue on US 12
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
49
Continue on US 12
25 mi
·
35 min
·
Pacific Avenue Southeast
Use the straight lane.
50
Turn left
132 ft
·
9 sec
51
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 69.4 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.1 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 31 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.4 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benson, 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 138.8 miles and 3h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Eagan, 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 US 12 for about 26.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 69.4 mi from Eagan, MN · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
69 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 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 69.4 miles from Eagan, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Benson, MN
The final approach into Benson, 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 Benson, 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
$20.66 one way
$41.31 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
49 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $22.26 | $44.51 |
| premium | $4.53 | $24.77 | $49.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $30.65 | $61.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
| Efficient EV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 55.5 | 0 | $19.43 | $8.88 |
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Benson, MN
Afternoon in Benson on Friday
Local time
1:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°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
2 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
3h 11m 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 Benson, MN covers 138.8 miles and takes about 3h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, Pacific Avenue Southeast, I 494. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 69.4 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 $20.66 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 is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 138.8 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 7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16 miles (I 494; MN 5): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Eagan, MN to Benson, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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