Origin
Eden Prairie, MN
Afternoon in Eden Prairie on Sunday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eden Prairie, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN
Drive Time
3h 59m
Distance
201.8 mi
325 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 46m
★
6 AM
3h 59m
8 AM
4h 25m
10 AM
4h 8m
12 PM
4h 6m
3 PM
4h 9m
5 PM
4h 24m
8 PM
3h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eden Prairie, MN
Tom Fisk
Detroit Lakes, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Driving from Eden Prairie to Detroit Lakes covers approximately 201.8 miles through the heart of Minnesota. You can expect a travel time of about 3 hours and 59 minutes, making this a straightforward journey that easily fits into a single day of travel. By utilizing a mix of I-494, I-94, and US 10, you remain on major thoroughfares for the vast majority of the trip. Budget roughly $29 for fuel to complete this one-way excursion. Since both locations are firmly within the Midwest, the transition is seamless and familiar. Whether you are heading up for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, the route is efficient enough that you won't need to worry about an overnight split.
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
100.9 miles from Eden Prairie, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is designed for efficiency, with 95% of your time spent on major roads. You will find yourself settling in for a long haul during the 156.1-mile stretch on US 10, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the interstate segments offer fast, predictable pavement, the transition to US 10 allows you to settle into a consistent rhythm. The personality of this route is defined by its practicality rather than winding scenic detours, providing a straightforward experience behind the wheel. Expect a steady, high-speed pace that prioritizes reaching your destination in the Midwest lake country as quickly as possible.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 156.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 94. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near Mitchell Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 201.8 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 0.5 miles (Mitchell Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Mitchell Road
Turn left onto Mitchell Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / none lanes.
8
3.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward I 494 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 494 North
5
3.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 494 North
8
17.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
6
157.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 156.1 mi | 3h |
| I 94 | 22.6 mi | 24m |
| I 494 | 13.3 mi | 16m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Baker Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Mitchell Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Pine Street | 0.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 156.1 mi, about 3h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eden Prairie, MN and Detroit Lakes, MN.
1
Start on Scenic Heights Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Scenic Heights Road
2
Turn left onto Mitchell Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Mitchell Road
Use the left / none lanes.
3
Continue on CR 60
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Baker Road
Use the none lane.
4
Turn slight right
288 ft
·
10 sec
5
Turn slight left onto CR 62
453 ft
·
9 sec
·
CR 62
6
Continue on MN 62
458 ft
·
15 sec
·
Crosstown Highway
7
Turn left
354 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 494 North
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 494 North
9
Merge onto I 494
13 mi
·
16 min
·
I 494
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
49 sec
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 94
17 mi
·
18 min
·
I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 94
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
14
Turn right onto MN 25
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Pine Street
15
Continue on MN 25
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
State Highway 25
16
Turn left onto County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
53 sec
·
County Road 11
17
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
18
Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
19
Turn left onto US 10
54 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
US 10
Use the none lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
38 mi
·
42 min
·
US 10
21
Turn straight onto US 10; MN 210
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 10; MN 210
22
Continue on US 10; IC A
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 10; IC A
23
Turn slight right
67 ft
·
2 sec
24
Enter roundabout
100 ft
·
1 sec
25
Continue
96 ft
·
1 sec
26
Turn straight onto US 10
44 mi
·
51 min
·
US 10
27
Turn left onto CR 22
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Washington Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
CR 22
Trip Plan
To make the most of your four-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid any potential congestion near the metro area. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs and refresh, as the long stretches of US 10 can become repetitive. Since your fuel budget is estimated at $29, keep an eye on your tank levels before hitting the longest 156.1-mile segment to avoid searching for stations in more remote areas. Because this is a single-day trip, the flexibility of your schedule is a major advantage; you can easily time your departure to miss peak traffic hours. Keep your cruise control handy for the highway portions, as maintaining a steady speed will help you manage your fuel efficiency effectively.
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 100.9 miles from Eden Prairie, MN, or about 2h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.1 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 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.9 miles or 2h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit Lakes, 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 201.8 miles and 3h 59m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 156.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 100.9 mi from Eden Prairie, MN · 2h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.9 miles from Eden Prairie, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.1 miles.
Arriving in Detroit Lakes, MN
The final approach into Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.86 one way
$57.73 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $31.15 | $62.30 |
| premium | $4.39 | $34.89 | $69.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.83 | $89.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.19 | $9.69 |
| Efficient EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.66 | $8.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.7 | 1 | $28.25 | $12.92 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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
Detroit Lakes, MN
Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday
Local time
3:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
101 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
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 59m 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 Detroit Lakes, MN covers 201.8 miles and takes about 3h 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, I 94, I 494. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100.9 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 $28.86 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 14 significant decision points across 201.8 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 0.5 miles (Mitchell Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
The route from Eden Prairie, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Return Trip
Detroit Lakes, MN to Eden Prairie, MNPlan the drive back the other way.
201.5 mi
3h 58m
Continue From Detroit Lakes, MN
More trips to Detroit Lakes, MN
Explore more options from Eden Prairie, MN or browse trips ending in Detroit Lakes, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Eden Prairie, MN or Detroit Lakes, MN on MapSof.net.