How far is Eagan, MN from Cottonwood, MN?
The driving distance from Eagan, MN to Cottonwood, MN is about 142 miles (228.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.8 miles (199.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 02m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in McLeod County, Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Snow Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eagan and Cottonwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan and Cottonwood.
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1
Start on Pilot Knob Road
68 m · 6 sec · Pilot Knob Road
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2
Turn left onto Diffley Road
2 mi · 4 min · Diffley Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Diffley Road
31 m · 2 sec · Diffley Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Diffley Road
2770 ft · 1 min · Diffley Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward MN 77 North: Cedar Avenue
93 m · 8 sec
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6
Turn slight right
1404 ft · 34 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue
4.1 mi · 5 min · Cedar Avenue
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
973 ft · 26 sec
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9
Merge slight left
8.8 mi · 11 min
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10
Keep slight left
1777 ft · 25 sec
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11
Take the exit slight right toward MN 5 West, US 212 West
1.8 mi · 2 min
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12
Keep slight left
36.4 mi · 43 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward US Highway 212
44 m · 2 sec · US Highway 212
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14
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212
71.8 mi · 1 hr 34 min · US Highway 212
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15
Turn left onto State Highway 23/67
14.9 mi · 19 min · State Highway 23/67
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16
Turn right onto 390th Street
627 ft · 20 sec · 390th Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn left onto Barstad Road
3150 ft · 1 min · Barstad Road
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18
Turn right onto Main Street
139 m · 12 sec · Main Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eagan and Cottonwood.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 212
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212
71.8 mi · 01h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Snow Showers leaving Eagan and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eagan to Cottonwood?
The road trip is about 142 miles (228.5 km) and usually takes 03h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Stewart is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.8 miles from Eagan and 71.1 miles from Cottonwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.8 miles (199.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:54 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.88 one way or $35.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Eagan and Mostly Sunny near Cottonwood.
Stop Ideas Near Stewart
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Stewart.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eagan and Cottonwood. Straight-line distance: 123.86 mi (199.33 km).
#1 Eagan
The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 65,975 |
| Coordinates | 44.8041300, -93.1668900 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cottonwood
City in Lyon County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,223 |
| Coordinates | 44.6088500, -95.6741900 |
| Altitude | 329 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cottonwood (-95.67419, 44.60885)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 228 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $17.88 | $35.76 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $19.64 | $39.29 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $22.00 | $44.01 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $24.37 | $48.74 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.