Origin
Eagan, MN
Morning in Eagan on Saturday
Local time
8:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eagan, MN to Ely, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 3m
Distance
253 mi
407 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 50m
★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 11m
3 PM
5h 15m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eagan, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Ely, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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 35E North, Purple Heart Memorial Highway, US 10 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. 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 31m 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 (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 5h 3m drive with frequent turns across 253 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35E North 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 3m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Eagan, MN to Ely, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35E North | — | — |
| Purple Heart Memorial Highway | — | — |
| US 10 West | — | — |
| MN 33 | — | — |
| the route | — | — |
| MN 169 | — | — |
| Highway 169 | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 35E North
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan, MN and Ely, MN.
1
Start on Pilot Knob Road
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Pilot Knob Road
2
Take the ramp slight right toward I 35E North
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
I 35E North
3
Merge slight left
6.9 mi
·
9 min
4
Keep slight left
2.7 mi
·
4 min
5
Keep slight left
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
6
Merge slight right onto Purple Heart Memorial Highway
351 ft
·
5 sec
·
Purple Heart Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit slight left toward I 35E North, US 10 West
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
I 35E North, US 10 West
8
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, I 694 East
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
I 35E North, I 694 East
10
Merge slight left
0.8 mi
·
1 min
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 35E North: Duluth
12
Keep slight left
105 mi
·
1 hr 52 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
128 ft
·
2 sec
·
the route
15
Exit the roundabout
19 mi
·
25 min
16
Take the exit straight
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
17
Merge slight right
37 mi
·
43 min
18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
112 ft
·
1 sec
·
the route
19
Exit the roundabout
10 mi
·
13 min
20
Take the exit slight right toward MN 169: Ely
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
MN 169: Ely
21
Continue on State Highway 169
14 mi
·
19 min
·
State Highway 169
22
Continue on Highway 169
29 mi
·
40 min
·
Highway 169
23
Arrive at your 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 126.5 miles from Eagan, MN, or about 2h 31m 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 56 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.5 miles or 2h 31m 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 9m
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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.5 mi from Eagan, MN · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.5 miles from Eagan, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ely, MN
The final approach into Ely, 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 Ely, 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
$37.65 one way
$75.30 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 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.
Destination
Ely, MN
Morning in Ely on Saturday
Local time
8:17 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 35E North, Purple Heart Memorial Highway, US 10 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
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 straightforward 5h 3m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Eagan, MN to Ely, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Eagan, MN to Ely, 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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