How far is Eagan, MN from Detroit Lakes, MN?

The driving distance from Eagan, MN to Detroit Lakes, MN is about 216.7 miles (348.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 189.7 miles (305.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
216.65 mi
04h 16m
Flight
189.67 mi
305.25 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Eagan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
189.67 mi
Kilometers
305.25 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
216.65 mi
Kilometers
348.66 km
Drive Time
04h 16m

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 04h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit Lakes
Tue, May 5, 9:27 AM CDT
Return by in Eagan
Tue, May 5, 1:43 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Eagan
2026-05-05T05:11
Arrive Detroit Lakes
Tue, May 5, 9:27 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:16 AM to 12:16 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:28 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Eagan
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Gregory
MN

Human settlement in United States of America

From Eagan
108.2 mi
02h 08m
To Detroit Lakes
108.4 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
45°F
Tuesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
6 to 14 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eagan and Detroit Lakes.

  1. 1

    Start on Pilot Knob Road

    68 m · 6 sec · Pilot Knob Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Diffley Road

    2 mi · 4 min · Diffley Road

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Diffley Road

    31 m · 2 sec · Diffley Road

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Diffley Road

    2770 ft · 1 min · Diffley Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward MN 77 North: Cedar Avenue

    93 m · 8 sec

  6. 6

    Turn slight right

    1404 ft · 34 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Cedar Avenue

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Cedar Avenue

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, MN 5 West

    973 ft · 26 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    8.8 mi · 11 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    15.9 mi · 20 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Saint Cloud

    3250 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    16.6 mi · 18 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    6 mi · 6 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right

    2016 ft · 53 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Pine Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Pine Street

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 25

    540 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 25

  17. 17

    Turn left onto County Road 11

    1.1 km · 54 sec · County Road 11

  18. 18

    Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

  19. 19

    Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

  20. 20

    Turn left

    54.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  21. 21

    Keep slight left

    38 mi · 43 min

  22. 22

    Turn straight

    8.5 mi · 10 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    10.9 mi · 12 min

  24. 24

    Turn slight right

    20 m · 2 sec

  25. 25

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    30 m · 2 sec

  26. 26

    Exit the roundabout

    29 m · 1 sec

  27. 27

    Turn straight

    44.3 mi · 51 min

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Washington Avenue

    781 ft · 27 sec · Washington Avenue

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Washington Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
29 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
2 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
165th Avenue Southeast
50.7 mi · 23%
I 494 West
24.9 mi · 12%
I 94 West
23.6 mi · 11%
Cedar Avenue
4.1 mi · 2%
Diffley Road
2.55 mi · 1%
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

54.4 mi · 01h 04m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 16m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27 mi
189.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gregory
02h 08m from Eagan
Leave By
8:28 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Eagan and Partly Sunny near Detroit Lakes.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Eagan to Detroit Lakes?

The road trip is about 216.7 miles (348.7 km) and usually takes 04h 16m 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?

Gregory is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.2 miles from Eagan and 108.4 miles from Detroit Lakes.

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

The direct path is about 189.7 miles (305.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 27 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 8:28 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.30 one way or $54.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Eagan and Partly Sunny near Detroit Lakes.

Stop Ideas Near Gregory

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gregory, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Gregory.

RAIL

St. Cloud

44 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

57 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Eagan and Detroit Lakes. Straight-line distance: 189.67 mi (305.25 km).

Eagan

#1 Eagan

The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Population65,975
Coordinates44.8041300, -93.1668900
Altitude292
CountryUnited States
Detroit Lakes

#2 Detroit Lakes

City in Minnesota, United States

Population9,255
Coordinates46.8171800, -95.8453300
Altitude418
CountryUnited States
Start: Eagan (-93.16689, 44.80413)
End: Detroit Lakes (-95.84533, 46.81718)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 349 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.65 gal
28.94 L · about $27.30
Round trip
$54.61
15.3 gal · 57.88 L
Estimated CO2
68 kg one way
Round trip: 136 kg / 300 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $27.30 $54.61
Mid-grade $3.92 $30.00 $59.99
Premium $4.39 $33.60 $67.20
Diesel $4.86 $37.21 $74.42

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 · May 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Eagan and Detroit Lakes. The current time is 05:11:11.

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.