Origin
Alexandria, MN
Morning in Alexandria on Tuesday
Local time
7:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alexandria, MN to Plymouth, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 18m
Distance
123.6 mi
199 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alexandria, MN
Tom Fisk
Plymouth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 123.6-mile drive from Alexandria to Plymouth, Minnesota, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking about 2 hours and 18 minutes. With 98% of the route on highways, it's a drive-focused experience designed for efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $18, making it an economical option for a quick getaway or a return trip within the Midwest region. Given its manageable length and highway-centric profile, this route is well-suited for a day trip, offering flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.8 miles from Alexandria, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 113.7 mi | 2h 2m |
| I 494 | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 29 | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Broadway Street | 1.2 mi | 3m |
| MN 55 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 113.7 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alexandria, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on MN 29
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Broadway Street
2
Continue on MN 29
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 29
3
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 94, US 52, MN 27: St. Cloud
4
Merge onto I 94; MN 27
114 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
I 94; MN 27
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 494
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 22
Toward MN 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn left onto MN 55
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
MN 55
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on MN 55
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
MN 55
10
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 18-minute drive, leaving in the morning will allow you to make the most of your day in Plymouth without feeling rushed. Since the route is primarily highway and doesn't require overnight stops, you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the longest stretch of 113.7 miles on I-94, as services can sometimes be spaced out on interstates. The estimated fuel cost of $18 is a good budget to keep in mind for this 123.6-mile trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.8 miles from Alexandria, MN, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 27 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.8 miles or 1h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plymouth, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Alexandria, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Alexandria, MN
This is one driving day of about 123.6 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Alexandria, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 113.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.8 miles from Alexandria, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 122.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Turn left toward I 94, US 52, MN 27: St. Cloud
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94, US 52, MN 27: St. Cloud
5
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 94; MN 27
Merge onto I 94; MN 27
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
117 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
7
122.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward MN 55
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 22
Toward MN 55
4
122.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 16m in
|
MN 55
Turn left onto MN 55
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.39 one way
$36.79 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $19.82 | $39.64 |
| premium | $4.53 | $22.05 | $44.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.29 | $54.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.1 | 0 | $12.98 | $5.93 |
| Efficient EV | 30.9 | 0 | $10.82 | $4.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.4 | 0 | $17.30 | $7.91 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Morning in Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
7:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Avon, MN
62 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 18m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 123.6-mile journey, with 98% of the route utilizing major interstates like I-94 and I-494. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 113.7 miles on I-94, indicating long periods of consistent speed. While State Highway 29 plays a role, the majority of your time will be spent on these high-speed corridors. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency rather than winding scenic byways.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.7 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 494. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Alexandria, MN to Plymouth, MN is easy. At 2h 18m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles (I 94; MN 27): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Plymouth, MN
Full guide →Founded 1852
Plymouth is a city located in the heart of Minnesota. This city is a place that has a good solid community and friendly people. Plymouth has a lot to offer both its residents and its travelers. They are known for having affordable housing, low crime rates and most importantly an active outdoor culture. Plymouth was also Money Magazine's best place to live in 2008. If Plymouth was ranked as the number one place to live, it must be a really great place to travel to as well.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 123.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.7 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.3 miles (I 94; MN 27): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 117 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Plymouth, MN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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