How far is Eagan, MN from Columbus, MN?

The driving distance from Eagan, MN to Columbus, MN is about 37.9 miles (61 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.4 miles (52.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
37.93 mi
00h 49m
Flight
32.37 mi
52.09 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Eagan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.37 mi
Kilometers
52.09 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
37.93 mi
Kilometers
61.04 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbus
Wed, Apr 22, 11:55 PM CDT
Return by in Eagan
Thu, Apr 23, 12:45 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Eagan
2026-04-22T23:05
Arrive Columbus
Wed, Apr 22, 11:55 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:50 AM to 10:50 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Eagan
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Little Canada
MN

City in Ramsey County, Minnesota

From Eagan
19 mi
00h 24m
To Columbus
19 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE
Destination
44°F
Overnight

Clear

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 1:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Eagan and Columbus.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eagan and Columbus.

  1. 1

    Start on Pilot Knob Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Pilot Knob Road

  2. 2

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 35E North

    2131 ft · 54 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    6.9 mi · 9 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight left

    2.7 mi · 5 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    2303 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight right onto Purple Heart Memorial Highway

    107 m · 5 sec · Purple Heart Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 35E North, US 10 West

    5.2 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East

    1620 ft · 20 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, I 694 East

    2496 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    1.3 km · 60 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth

    15 mi · 16 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 97, CR 23

    1196 ft · 29 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on CR 23 West

    76 m · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Lake Drive Northeast

    1542 ft · 28 sec · Lake Drive Northeast

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Lake Drive Northeast

    47 m · 3 sec · Lake Drive Northeast

  16. 16

    Exit the rotary onto Lake Drive Northeast

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Lake Drive Northeast

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Camp 3 Road Northeast

    894 ft · 29 sec · Camp 3 Road Northeast

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Kettle River Boulevard Northeast

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Kettle River Boulevard Northeast

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Kettle River Boulevard Northeast

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Eagan and Columbus.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
19 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
50.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35E North
32 mi · 84%
Lake Drive Northeast
2.18 mi · 6%
Pilot Knob Road
1.67 mi · 4%
Kettle River Boulevard Northeast
1.3 mi · 3%
US 10 West
0.31 mi · 1%
MN 97
0.23 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 35E North

Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth

15 mi · 00h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.5 mi
32.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Little Canada
00h 24m from Eagan
Leave By
4:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Eagan and Clear near Columbus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Eagan to Columbus?

The road trip is about 37.9 miles (61 km) and usually takes 00h 49m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Little Canada is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from Eagan and 19 miles from Columbus.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 32.4 miles (52.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.78 one way or $9.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Eagan and Clear near Columbus.

Stop Ideas Near Little Canada

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Little Canada and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 10.5 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
St. Louis Park City Hall
Meeting point 14.8 mi away

St. Louis Park City Hall

Saint Louis Park , MN
5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Rating 2.9/5 21 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Little Canada.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

10 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

67 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

93 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

St. Cloud

102 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Eagan and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 32.37 mi (52.09 km).

Eagan

#1 Eagan

The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Population65,975
Coordinates44.8041300, -93.1668900
Altitude292
CountryUnited States
Columbus

#2 Columbus

City in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States

Population4,211
Coordinates45.2652200, -93.0501500
Altitude278
CountryUnited States
Start: Eagan (-93.16689, 44.80413)
End: Columbus (-93.05015, 45.26522)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 61 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 32m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.34 gal
5.07 L · about $4.78
Round trip
$9.56
2.68 gal · 10.14 L
Estimated CO2
11.9 kg one way
Round trip: 23.8 kg / 52 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $4.78 $9.56
Mid-grade $3.92 $5.25 $10.51
Premium $4.39 $5.89 $11.77
Diesel $4.86 $6.52 $13.04

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Minnesota · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Eagan and Columbus. The current time is 23:05:48.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.