Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Clinton, MN to Plymouth, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 45m

Distance

187.7 mi

302 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 33m ★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Clinton, MN, MN

Clinton, MN

Tom Fisk

city in Devon, England

Plymouth, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Clinton, MN to Plymouth, MN is 187.7 miles and takes about 3h 45m via I 94, US 12, and MN 23, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Midwest region, specifically Minnesota, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to travel between these two points. The drive is primarily on well-maintained highways, offering a consistent and efficient travel experience. Given its relatively short duration, this trip is ideal for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

93.8 miles from Clinton, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 52.2 mi 56m
US 12 41.3 mi 46m
MN 23 39.8 mi 47m
13th Street North 35.8 mi 47m
3rd Street 11.2 mi 16m
I 494 5.2 mi 6m
MN 55 0.7 mi 1m
14th Street South 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 52.2 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clinton, MN and Plymouth, MN.

1

Start on Main Street

33 ft · 6 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto US 75

11 mi · 16 min · 3rd Street
3

Turn left onto US 12

41 mi · 46 min · US 12
4

Turn left onto US 12; MN 29

0.1 mi · 7 sec · Church Street
5

Continue on US 12; MN 29

0.2 mi · 20 sec · 14th Street South
6

Turn right onto US 12; MN 9

370 ft · 15 sec · Atlantic Avenue
7

Turn left onto MN 9

36 mi · 47 min · 13th Street North
8

At end of road, turn left onto MN 23

40 mi · 47 min · MN 23
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward Interstate 94 East Use the right lane.
10

Merge onto I 94

52 mi · 56 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 31 sec
Exit 216 Toward I 494 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 494

5.2 mi · 6 min · I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Exit 22 Toward MN 55 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn left onto MN 55

0.4 mi · 47 sec · MN 55
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Continue on MN 55

0.3 mi · 41 sec · MN 55
16

Arrive at destination

MN 55

Trip Plan

With a drive time of under 4 hours, this trip offers considerable flexibility. Leaving in the morning will get you to Plymouth with plenty of daylight remaining. Plan for one stop to break up the 187.7 miles, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 52.2-mile stretch on I 94, as services can sometimes be spread out on longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost of $27 is a good budget to keep in mind for gas.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 93.8 miles from Clinton, MN, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.2 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 41 miles or 50m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 93.8 miles or 1h 58m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 7m

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 Clinton, 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 Clinton, MN

This is one driving day of about 187.7 miles and 3h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Clinton, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 52.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Avon, MN

94 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.

Popular next leg

Avon, MN to Plymouth, MN

70.9 mi · 1h 19m

Pacing Suggestions

Benson, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Spicer, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 93.8 miles from Clinton, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rogers, Minnesota

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 174.3

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Cloud, Minnesota

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.1

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 174.3

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 134.1

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 134.1

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 52.8 and 186.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
52.8 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | US 12; MN 9 / Atlantic Avenue

Turn right onto US 12; MN 9 / Atlantic Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
128.5 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in

Take the exit toward Interstate 94 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward Interstate 94 East
5
128.9 mi into trip | ~2h 40m in | I 94

Merge onto I 94

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
181.1 mi into trip | ~3h 36m 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
186.7 mi into trip | ~3h 43m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.93 one way

$55.87 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 66 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $30.10 $60.20
premium $4.53 $33.49 $66.98
diesel $5.61 $41.44 $82.88

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 65.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 56.3 0 $19.71 $9.01
Efficient EV 46.9 0 $16.42 $7.51
EV Truck/SUV 75.1 0 $26.28 $12.01

Gas CO2

66 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Clinton, MN

Night in Clinton on Saturday

Local time

11:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Plymouth, MN

Night in Plymouth on Saturday

Local time

11:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

67°F

Avon, MN

94 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

3 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

3h 45m 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?

This drive is largely highway-focused, with 74% of the route utilizing major interstates and highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 94, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 52.2 miles. Expect a steady pace for much of the journey, allowing for efficient travel. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of US 12 and MN 23 might offer slight variations in the driving experience as you transition between these roads.

74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.2 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US 12. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 52.8 miles in near US 12; MN 9 / Atlantic Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 187.7 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 52.8 miles (US 12; MN 9 / Atlantic Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 128.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.9 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Plymouth, MN

Full guide →

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 3h 45m. Total distance: 187.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 52.2 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 52.8 miles (US 12; MN 9 / Atlantic Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 128.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.9 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Plymouth, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Plymouth, MN

Bagley, MN 231.8 mi · 4h 39m Silver Bay, MN 218.3 mi · 4h 14m Detroit Lakes, MN 190 mi · 3h 41m Arnold, MN 171.3 mi · 3h 16m

More trips to Plymouth, MN

International Falls, MN 302.2 mi Ely, MN 251.7 mi Mahnomen, MN 226.7 mi Grant, MN 218.1 mi Silver Bay, MN 215.5 mi Bemidji, MN 206.8 mi
Escape planner: Clinton, MN Scenic drives in MN

Explore more options from Clinton, MN or browse trips ending in Plymouth, MN.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.