Advice:commuting from Columbia Heights to Eden Prairie (Mankato, Lynd: home, university)

[Kathyab]

I will be living at a relative's home in Columbia Heights (694 & University Avenue) having to commute to Eden Prairie (intersection of 212 and 494) for a 3-5 months. I live in Mankato so am nervous about commuting. If I leave at 6:30am in the morning to go to Eden Prairie what is the best highways/route and approximate time. What is best route and alternate route. If I leave at 6:00 to return will that hit rush hour yet?

Also, are there specific rules for certain lanes if you are driving by yourself?

[golfgal]

The traffic won't be too bad at those times. The least complicated route would be to take the 694-494 loop around but you have several options. I would expect 1/2 hour commute on a normal day.

[goitsme48]

My wife drives from Eden Prairie to Columbia Heights every day.
The best route for you would be take 694 West to 100 South to 62 West to 212. Traffic is not bad at all if you leave early. 25 to 30 minutes each way.

[Kathyab]

Thank you very much for your advice. That is the route I was thinking of and appreciate the confirmation!

[sugarbeet]

There are no specific rules regarding lanes, with the exception of 394. You won't be taking that, but if you ever do, the carpool lanes are clearly marked.

[p_U_c_K]

i commuted from NE MPLS (like 2 blocks south of columbia heights) to bloomington (494 and france) for the longest time, before and after the bridge collapse. i suggest taking 694 to 100 to 494, 100 is basically easy going in the morning (i get to work at 730 though)

[Thegonagle]

Originally Posted by goitsme48

My wife drives from Eden Prairie to Columbia Heights every day.
The best route for you would be take 694 West to 100 South to 62 West to 212. Traffic is not bad at all if you leave early. 25 to 30 minutes each way.

Gotta agree with that at 6:30 in the morning. In general, traffic in the metro doesn't really build to congested levels until about 7:00 or a little later for all the people starting work at 8.

Depending on exactly where you are, you might find it faster to enter 694 at Central or East River Road.

Taking the 494-694 loop would result in a lot of unnecessary mileage, although it is an alternate route to know. Another alternate to know (For what? That depends, cuz it involves 394, which is busy...) is to take the Camden bridge (37th Ave NE/42nd Ave N) across the river, take Lyndale south to Dowling, Dowling east to 94, 94 south to 394, and 394 to either 100 or 169 south.