The drive from Eagan, MN to Ely, MN covers 253 miles and takes about 5h 3m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, US 53, I 35E for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105 miles on I 35.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.5 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 253 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 3m highway drive covering 253 miles, with most of the trip on I 35 and US 53. The longest continuous stretch is about 105 miles on I 35.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 105 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort10/10
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 253 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 9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
9 mi into trip|~13m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
12.2 mi into trip|~18m in|I 35E
Take the exit onto I 35E toward I 35E North, US 10 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 242B
Toward I 35E North, US 10 West
9
17.4 mi into trip|~24m in|US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 113-114
Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
8
17.7 mi into trip|~25m in
Take the exit toward I 35E North, I 694 East
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 114
Toward I 35E North, I 694 East
7
19 mi into trip|~26m in|I 35E
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E North: Duluth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Duluth
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Eagan, MN to Ely, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
Iron Range
142 mi in|~2h 38m|via MN 33
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
105 mi
1h 52m
US 53
47.7 mi
57m
I 35E
33.3 mi
40m
Highway 169
28.6 mi
40m
MN 33
19.8 mi
26m
State Highway 169
14.4 mi
19m
Pilot Knob Road
1.7 mi
2m
I 694
0.8 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan, MN and Ely, MN.
1
Start on CR 31
1.7 mi·2 min·Pilot Knob Road
Use the left lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
Toward I 35E NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Merge onto I 35E
6.9 mi·9 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
2.7 mi·4 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
0.4 mi·35 sec·I 35E
6
Merge onto I 35E; I 94
350 ft·5 sec·Purple Heart Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit onto I 35E
5.2 mi·6 min·I 35E
Exit 242BToward I 35E North, US 10 WestUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 10
Exit 113-114Toward US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·35 sec
Exit 114Toward I 35E North, I 694 EastUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 694
0.8 mi·59 sec·I 694
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35E
18 mi·19 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E North: DuluthUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 35
13
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi·58 sec·MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
14
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft·1 sec·MN 33
15
Continue on MN 33
19 mi·25 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.4 mi·29 sec·MN 33
17
Merge onto US 53
37 mi·43 min·US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Enter roundabout onto US 53
113 ft·1 sec·US 53
19
Continue on US 53
10 mi·13 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward MN 169: Ely
21
Continue on MN 169
14 mi·19 min·State Highway 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Continue on MN 169
29 mi·40 min·Highway 169
Use the straight lane.
23
Arrive at destination
MN 1; MN 169
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 126.5 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 56 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ely, 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 253 miles and 5h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 I 35 for about 105 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.5 mi from Eagan, MN
· 2h 22m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.65 one way
$75.30 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$40.57
$81.14
premium
$4.53
$45.14
$90.28
diesel
$5.61
$55.86
$111.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.9
0
$26.56
$12.14
Efficient EV
63.3
0
$22.14
$10.12
EV Truck/SUV
101.2
1
$35.42
$16.19
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Eagan, MN
Morning
in Eagan on Saturday
Local time
10:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ely, MN
Morning
in Ely on Saturday
Local time
10:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
33°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
14 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
5h 3m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Ely, MN covers 253 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, US 53, I 35E. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.5 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 $37.65 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 253 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 9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles (I 35E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17.4 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Eagan, MN to Ely, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
