How far is Eden Prairie, MN from Brainerd, MN?

The driving distance from Eden Prairie, MN to Brainerd, MN is about 129.6 miles (208.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 109.7 miles (176.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m 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
129.54 mi
02h 38m
Flight
109.7 mi
176.54 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Eden Prairie.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
109.7 mi
Kilometers
176.54 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
129.54 mi
Kilometers
208.47 km
Drive Time
02h 38m

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 02h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Brainerd
Thu, Apr 16, 6:56 PM CDT
Return by in Eden Prairie
Thu, Apr 16, 9:35 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Eden Prairie
2026-04-16T16:18
Arrive Brainerd
Thu, Apr 16, 6:56 PM CDT
Route Timing
02h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:39 AM to 12:39 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Eden Prairie
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
Saint Cloud
MN

City in Minnesota

From Eden Prairie
64.7 mi
01h 19m
To Brainerd
64.8 mi
01h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SE
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Eden Prairie and Brainerd.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Eden Prairie and Brainerd.

  1. 1

    Start on Scenic Heights Road

    2728 ft · 1 min · Scenic Heights Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Mitchell Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Mitchell Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Baker Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Baker Road

  4. 4

    Turn slight right

    88 m · 10 sec

  5. 5

    Turn slight left

    138 m · 10 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on Crosstown Highway

    140 m · 16 sec · Crosstown Highway

  7. 7

    Turn left onto I 494 North

    108 m · 9 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 494 North

    1898 ft · 48 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    13.3 mi · 17 min

  10. 10

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

    3250 ft · 50 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    16.6 mi · 18 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    6 mi · 6 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    2016 ft · 53 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Pine Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Pine Street

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 25

    540 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 25

  16. 16

    Turn left onto County Road 11

    1.1 km · 54 sec · County Road 11

  17. 17

    Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

  18. 18

    Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

  19. 19

    Turn left

    54.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  20. 20

    Keep slight right

    27.4 mi · 32 min

  21. 21

    Turn right onto State Highway 210

    1.6 km · 2 min · State Highway 210

  22. 22

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · West Washington Street

  23. 23

    Turn right onto South 6th Street

    7 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Eden Prairie and Brainerd.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
24 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
165th Avenue Southeast
29.2 mi · 23%
I 94 West
23.6 mi · 18%
I 494 North
13.7 mi · 11%
Baker Road
1.7 mi · 1%
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.38 mi · 1%
West Washington Street
1.2 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 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
02h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.9 mi
109.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Cloud
01h 19m from Eden Prairie
Leave By
1:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Eden Prairie and Sunny near Brainerd.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Eden Prairie to Brainerd?

The road trip is about 129.6 miles (208.5 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?

Saint Cloud is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.7 miles from Eden Prairie and 64.8 miles from Brainerd.

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

The direct path is about 109.7 miles (176.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.31 one way or $32.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Eden Prairie and Sunny near Brainerd.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Cloud

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saint Cloud, 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 Saint Cloud.

RAIL

St. Cloud

1 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

101 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

101 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Eden Prairie and Brainerd. Straight-line distance: 109.7 mi (176.54 km).

Eden Prairie

#1 Eden Prairie

The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population64,894
Coordinates44.8546900, -93.4707900
Altitude270
CountryUnited States
Brainerd

#2 Brainerd

City in Minnesota

Population13,449
Coordinates46.3580200, -94.2008300
Altitude371
CountryUnited States
Start: Eden Prairie (-93.47079, 44.85469)
End: Brainerd (-94.20083, 46.35802)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 208 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 18m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.57 gal
17.3 L · about $16.31
Round trip
$32.62
9.14 gal · 34.6 L
Estimated CO2
40.6 kg one way
Round trip: 81.2 kg / 179 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $16.31 $32.62
Mid-grade $3.92 $17.92 $35.84
Premium $4.39 $20.07 $40.14
Diesel $4.86 $22.23 $44.46

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Eden Prairie and Brainerd. The current time is 16:18:08.

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.