Origin
Edina, MN
Late night in Edina on Friday
Local time
2:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Edina, MN to Elk River, MN
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
44m
Distance
35.2 mi
57 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Edina, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Elk River, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Edina, MN to Elk River, MN covers 35.2 miles and takes about 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MN 100, I-94 W, MN 101 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 10.3 miles on MN 100. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.24 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 44m. Total distance: 35.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 44m highway drive covering 35.2 miles, with most of the trip on MN 100 and I-94 W. The longest continuous stretch is about 10.3 miles on MN 100.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MN 100 is the longest continuous segment at about 10.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 100 and I-94 W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 35.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 44m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles (I 94; I 694): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
10.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward CR 81 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 12B
Toward CR 81 North
8
14 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 94 West, I 694 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 94 West, I 694 West
5
14.3 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 94; I 694
Merge onto I 94; I 694
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
26.4 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk River
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 207A-B
Toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk...
8
26.6 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
MN 101 North Bypass
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 207B
Toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Edina, MN and Elk River, MN, road signs point toward Cr 81 North and Cr 81.
Cr 81 North
10.3 mi in
|
~12m
Cr 81
26.4 mi in
|
~32m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 100 | 10.3 mi | 12m |
| I-94 W | 8.7 mi | 9m |
| MN 101 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
| I 94 | 3.4 mi | 4m |
| Bottineau Boulevard | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| MN 101 North Bypass | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Main Street Northwest | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| US Highway 169 | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MN 100
— 10.3 mi, about 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edina, MN and Elk River, MN.
1
Start on MN 100
10 mi
·
12 min
·
MN 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 12B
Toward CR 81 North
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Merge onto CR 81
158 ft
·
2 sec
·
County Road 81
4
Continue on CR 81
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Bottineau Boulevard
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 94 West, I 694 West
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 94; I 694
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
I 94; I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 94
8.7 mi
·
9 min
·
I-94 W
Exit 27
Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 207A-B
Toward MN 101, CR 81, MN 101 North: Rogers, Elk River
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 101 North Bypass
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
MN 101 North Bypass
Exit 207B
Toward MN 101 Bypass North: Elk River
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto MN 101
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
MN 101
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 169
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
US Highway 169
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
13
Keep slight left at fork
438 ft
·
11 sec
14
Turn left onto Main Street Northwest
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street Northwest
15
Turn right onto Jackson Avenue Northwest
261 ft
·
7 sec
·
Jackson Avenue Northwest
16
Arrive at destination
Jackson Avenue Northwest
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.24 one way
$10.48 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $5.64 | $11.29 |
| premium | $4.53 | $6.28 | $12.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.70 | $1.69 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.08 | $1.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.93 | $2.25 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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
Elk River, MN
Late night in Elk River on Friday
Local time
2:05 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
18 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
44m 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 Edina, MN to Elk River, MN covers 35.2 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MN 100, I-94 W, MN 101. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.6 miles from Edina, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.24 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 35.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 44m.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles (I 94; I 694): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Edina, MN and Elk River, MN, road signs point toward Cr 81 North and Cr 81.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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