Origin
Eden Prairie, MN
Afternoon in Eden Prairie on Sunday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eden Prairie, MN to Afton, MN
Drive Time
50m
Distance
36.1 mi
58 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eden Prairie, MN
Tom Fisk
Afton, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Eden Prairie to Afton, you are looking at a straightforward 36.1-mile journey across the Minnesota landscape. Expect the drive to take roughly 50 minutes under normal conditions, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will navigate via Mitchell Road, US 212 East, and I-494 East to complete the transit. Budgeting about $5 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire trip. Since the drive remains entirely within the Midwest, the transition is seamless and familiar. It is a practical route for those who prefer keeping travel time under an hour while exploring different corners of the state.
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
18 miles from Eden Prairie, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 36.1-mile trek is best described as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul. Because the highway share is 0%, you will spend your time navigating local roads and intersections rather than cruising on long, uninterrupted stretches. In fact, there is no significant highway cruising here, with the longest stretch being 0 miles on Mitchell Road. Expect to stay alert behind the wheel as the road personality shifts from the suburban feel of Eden Prairie toward the destination. It is a hands-on driving experience that demands your attention to turns and local traffic flow throughout the 50-minute duration.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Mitchell 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 Eden Prairie, MN to Afton, MN is easy. At 50m 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 Eden Prairie, MN to Afton, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 212 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 494 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| CH 38 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Maxwell Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bailey Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 40th Street South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Afton Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Mitchell Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eden Prairie, MN and Afton, MN.
1
Start on Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Scenic Heights Road
2
Turn left onto Mitchell Road
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Mitchell Road
3
Take the ramp right toward US 212 East, MN 5 East
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 212 East, MN 5 East
4
Merge slight left
0.9 mi
·
1 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
I 494 East, MN 5 East
6
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 East, MN 5 East
21 mi
·
26 min
·
I 494 East, MN 5 East
7
Take the exit slight right toward CH 38: Maxwell Avenue
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
CH 38: Maxwell Avenue
8
Turn left onto Maxwell Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Maxwell Avenue
9
Continue on Bailey Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Bailey Road
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bailey Road
144 ft
·
3 sec
·
Bailey Road
11
Exit the roundabout onto Bailey Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bailey Road
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bailey Road
125 ft
·
3 sec
·
Bailey Road
13
Exit the roundabout onto Bailey Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bailey Road
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Bailey Road
125 ft
·
3 sec
·
Bailey Road
15
Exit the roundabout onto Bailey Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bailey Road
16
Continue on 40th Street South
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
40th Street South
17
Continue on Afton Boulevard
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Afton Boulevard
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 36.1-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule. You won't need to worry about planning for lengthy stops, as the duration is short enough to complete in one go without needing a break. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind before you head out to ensure you have enough to reach your destination without interruption. Because this is a turn-heavy route, it is wise to double-check your navigation before pulling out of Eden Prairie. Taking the time to map out the turns on Mitchell Road and US 212 East will make your 50-minute drive much smoother.
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 18 miles from Eden Prairie, MN, or about 25m 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 36.1 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18 miles or 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Afton, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Eden Prairie, 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 Eden Prairie, MN
This is one driving day of about 36.1 miles and 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Eden Prairie, 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 18 mi from Eden Prairie, MN · 25m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 36.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18 miles from Eden Prairie, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Afton, MN
The final approach into Afton, 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 Afton, 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
$5.16 one way
$10.33 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $5.57 | $11.15 |
| premium | $4.39 | $6.24 | $12.48 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $8.02 | $16.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.79 | $1.73 |
| Efficient EV | 9 | 0 | $3.16 | $1.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.4 | 0 | $5.05 | $2.31 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Afton, MN
Afternoon in Afton on Sunday
Local time
4:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
31 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
50m 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 Eden Prairie, MN to Afton, MN covers 36.1 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Mitchell Road, US 212 East, I 494 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18 miles from Eden Prairie, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.16 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 Eden Prairie, MN to Afton, MN is easy. At 50m 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 Eden Prairie, MN to Afton, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Eden Prairie, MN to Afton, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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