Drive Time
1h 18m
Distance
57 mi
92 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
The drive from Eagan, MN to Howard Lake, MN covers 57 miles and takes about 1h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Diffley Road, MN 77 North, Cedar Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $8.01 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
28.5 miles from Eagan, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 18m drive with frequent turns across 57 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diffley Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MN 77 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cedar Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 494 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 12 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Babcock Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 12 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan, MN and Howard Lake, MN.
Start on Pilot Knob Road
Turn left onto Diffley Road
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Diffley Road
Exit the roundabout onto Diffley Road
Take the ramp slight right toward MN 77 North: Cedar Avenue
Turn slight right
Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on US 12 West: Carlson Parkway, Linner Road
Keep slight left to continue on US 12 West: Wayzata
Merge slight left onto Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90
Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard
Keep slight right to continue on Babcock Boulevard
Continue on US 12
Continue on 60th Street Southeast
Continue on US 12
Turn slight right onto 60th Street Southeast
Merge slight left onto US 12
Continue on Nelson Boulevard
Continue on US 12
Continue on Pacific Avenue
Continue on US 12
Continue on 6th Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 57 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 28.5 miles or 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Howard Lake, MN than in the middle of the route.
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 57 miles and 1h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 28.5 mi from Eagan, MN · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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.
A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 28.5 miles from Eagan, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Howard Lake, 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 Howard Lake, MN.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$8.01 one way
$16.02 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $8.80 | $17.60 |
| premium | $4.39 | $9.86 | $19.71 |
| diesel | $4.86 | $10.92 | $21.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.9 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.1 | 0 | $5.98 | $2.74 |
| Efficient EV | 14.3 | 0 | $4.99 | $2.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.8 | 0 | $7.98 | $3.65 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Eagan on Saturday
Local time
12:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Howard Lake on Saturday
Local time
12:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
39°F
Plymouth, MN
29 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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