How far is Eagan, MN from Elbow Lake, MN?
The driving distance from Eagan, MN to Elbow Lake, MN is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 49m 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 24m.
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 Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eagan and Elbow Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eagan and Elbow Lake.
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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
15.9 mi · 20 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Saint Cloud
3250 ft · 50 sec
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12
Continue straight
16.6 mi · 18 min
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13
Keep slight left
117.5 mi · 2 hr 6 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward MN 79, CR 41: Elbow Lake, Evansville
1030 ft · 29 sec
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15
Turn left onto State Hwy 79
696 ft · 14 sec · State Hwy 79
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16
Continue on State Highway 79
8.5 mi · 12 min · State Highway 79
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17
Continue on Viking Trail
3.1 mi · 5 min · Viking Trail
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18
Continue on 2nd Street Northeast
1055 ft · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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19
Continue on State Highway 79
1328 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 79
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20
Turn left onto Central Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · Central Avenue
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eagan and Elbow Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 94 West
Keep slight left
118 mi · 02h 06m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Eagan and Chance Light Rain near Elbow Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eagan to Elbow Lake?
The road trip is about 179.1 miles (288.2 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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?
Saint Joseph is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Eagan and 89.7 miles from Elbow Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 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 10:10 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.56 one way or $45.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Eagan and Chance Light Rain near Elbow Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Joseph
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 Saint Joseph.
St. Cloud
Staples
Saint Paul Union Depot
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eagan and Elbow Lake. Straight-line distance: 159.18 mi (256.18 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 Elbow Lake
City in and county seat of Grant County, Minnesota, United Statesn
| Population | 1,144 |
| Coordinates | 45.9941300, -95.9767200 |
| Altitude | 372 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elbow Lake (-95.97672, 45.99413)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $22.56 | $45.11 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $24.78 | $49.56 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $27.76 | $55.51 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $30.74 | $61.48 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.