How far is Ely, MN from Eagan, MN?

The driving distance from Ely, MN to Eagan, MN is about 253.9 miles (408.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 222.9 miles (358.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 06m 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
253.89 mi
04h 03m
Flight
222.91 mi
358.74 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ely.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
222.91 mi
Kilometers
358.74 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
253.89 mi
Kilometers
408.6 km
Drive Time
04h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Eagan
Sat, Apr 18, 9:26 AM CDT
Return by in Ely
Sat, Apr 18, 1:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ely
2026-04-18T05:23
Arrive Eagan
Sat, Apr 18, 9:26 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 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
8:54 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ely
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
Barnum
MN

Township in Carlton County, Minnesota

From Ely
127 mi
02h 01m
To Eagan
126.9 mi
02h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
31°F
Saturday

Chance Light Snow

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
41°F
Saturday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ely and Eagan.

  1. 1

    Start on West Sheridan Street

    20.1 mi · 29 min · West Sheridan Street

  2. 2

    Continue on Main Street

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn straight

    21.5 mi · 29 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on US 53 South: Virginia

    3038 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Continue on US 53 South: Virginia

    1664 ft · 22 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

    5.5 mi · 7 min · Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    4.6 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    35 m · 1 sec

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout

    37.3 mi · 43 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right

    15.3 mi · 19 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    3.9 mi · 7 min

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 35 South

    24 m · 1 sec

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto I 35 South

    2829 ft · 40 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    109.7 mi · 1 hr 58 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Saint Paul

    9.9 mi · 11 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 96

    1444 ft · 39 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    150 m · 12 sec

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Centerville Road

    2.3 mi · 5 min · Centerville Road

  19. 19

    Turn left onto County Road E

    2230 ft · 1 min · County Road E

  20. 20

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 35E South: Saint Paul

    69 m · 5 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South

    1455 ft · 38 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight right

    1.6 mi · 2 min

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, US 10 East: St Paul

    5.5 mi · 7 min

  24. 24

    Keep slight right

    1.1 km · 49 sec

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight left toward I 35E South

    9.6 mi · 14 min

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 28: Yankee Doodle Road

    1706 ft · 44 sec

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Yankee Doodle Road

    155 m · 12 sec · Yankee Doodle Road

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Pilot Knob Road

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Pilot Knob Road

  29. 29

    Continue on Pilot Knob Road

    156 m · 10 sec · Pilot Knob Road

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Pilot Knob Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
30 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
12
3 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35 South
110 mi · 43%
Speaker Irvin N. Anderson Memorial Highway
66.7 mi · 26%
West Sheridan Street
20.1 mi · 8%
I 35E South
17.8 mi · 7%
Saint Paul
9.86 mi · 4%
Centerville Road
2.3 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 35 South

Merge slight left

110 mi · 01h 58m

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 03m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31 mi
222.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Barnum
02h 01m from Ely
Leave By
8:54 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Light Snow leaving Ely and Chance Snow Showers near Eagan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ely to Eagan?

The road trip is about 253.9 miles (408.6 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?

Barnum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127 miles from Ely and 126.9 miles from Eagan.

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

The direct path is about 222.9 miles (358.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 31 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 8:54 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.98 one way or $63.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around Ely and Chance Snow Showers near Eagan.

Stop Ideas Near Barnum

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

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

BUS

Duluth (Greyhound Station), Minnesota

52 mi away
4426 Grand Ave.
BUS

Duluth (University of Minnesota), Minnesota

58 mi away
175 Kirby Student Union

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ely and Eagan. Straight-line distance: 222.91 mi (358.74 km).

Ely

#1 Ely

City in Minnesota, United States

Population3,325
Coordinates47.9032400, -91.8670900
Altitude436
CountryUnited States
Eagan

#2 Eagan

The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.

Population65,975
Coordinates44.8041300, -93.1668900
Altitude292
CountryUnited States
Start: MN 1 (-91.86709, 47.903279)
End: Pilot Knob Road (-93.167023, 44.804131)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 409 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.96 gal
33.91 L · about $31.98
Round trip
$63.96
17.92 gal · 67.82 L
Estimated CO2
79.6 kg one way
Round trip: 159.3 kg / 351 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $31.98 $63.96
Mid-grade $3.92 $35.13 $70.26
Premium $4.39 $39.35 $78.70
Diesel $4.86 $43.58 $87.16

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Ely and Eagan. The current time is 05:23:27.

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.