How far is Eden Prairie, MN from Elbow Lake, MN?
The driving distance from Eden Prairie, MN to Elbow Lake, MN is about 164.3 miles (264.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.8 miles (233 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m 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 07m.
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 Stearns County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Eden Prairie and Elbow Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eden Prairie and Elbow Lake.
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1
Start on Scenic Heights Road
2728 ft · 1 min · Scenic Heights Road
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2
Turn left onto Mitchell Road
1 mi · 2 min · Mitchell Road
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3
Continue on Baker Road
1.7 mi · 3 min · Baker Road
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4
Turn slight right
88 m · 10 sec
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5
Turn slight left
138 m · 10 sec
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6
Continue on Crosstown Highway
140 m · 16 sec · Crosstown Highway
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7
Turn left onto I 494 North
108 m · 9 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 North
1898 ft · 48 sec
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9
Merge slight left
13.3 mi · 17 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Saint Cloud
3250 ft · 50 sec
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11
Continue straight
16.6 mi · 18 min
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12
Keep slight left
117.5 mi · 2 hr 6 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward MN 79, CR 41: Elbow Lake, Evansville
1030 ft · 29 sec
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14
Turn left onto State Hwy 79
696 ft · 14 sec · State Hwy 79
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15
Continue on State Highway 79
8.5 mi · 12 min · State Highway 79
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16
Continue on Viking Trail
3.1 mi · 5 min · Viking Trail
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17
Continue on 2nd Street Northeast
1055 ft · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast
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18
Continue on State Highway 79
1328 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 79
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19
Turn left onto Central Avenue
27 m · 2 sec · Central Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Eden Prairie 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.
Rain Showers leaving Eden Prairie and Mostly Cloudy near Elbow Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Eden Prairie to Elbow Lake?
The road trip is about 164.3 miles (264.4 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Avon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82 miles from Eden Prairie and 82.3 miles from Elbow Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.8 miles (233 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.64 one way or $49.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Eden Prairie and Mostly Cloudy near Elbow Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Avon
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 Avon.
St. Cloud
Staples
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Eden Prairie and Elbow Lake. Straight-line distance: 144.79 mi (233.01 km).
#1 Eden Prairie
The most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
| Population | 64,894 |
| Coordinates | 44.8546900, -93.4707900 |
| Altitude | 270 |
| 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: 264 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.25 | $24.64 | $49.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $27.35 | $54.71 |
| Premium | $5.26 | $30.52 | $61.04 |
| Diesel | $6.14 | $35.64 | $71.27 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026