If you are planning to travel from Dawson to Plymouth, expect a straightforward journey spanning approximately 139.7 miles. The drive typically takes about 3 hours and 7 minutes, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily follow MN 7, which serves as the backbone of this Midwest route. With a fuel budget of roughly $20, it is an economical choice for a quick transition between these two Minnesota locations. Whether you are heading into the metro area or returning to the rural landscape, this route provides a consistent and predictable path for your travel plans.
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
69.9 miles from Dawson, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MN 7
84.2 mi
1h 49m
Oak Street
16.3 mi
24m
highway 7 West
16.1 mi
20m
195th Avenue
10.3 mi
13m
I 494
5.7 mi
7m
State Highway 7 East
4.5 mi
6m
Minnesota State Highway 7
0.6 mi
<1m
4th Avenue Northwest
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
MN 7
— 84.2 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dawson, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on CR 23
0.2 mi·32 sec·6th Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 212
16 mi·24 min·Oak Street
3
Turn left onto US 59; MN 29
0.2 mi·11 sec·US 59; MN 29
4
Continue on MN 7; MN 29
35 mi·45 min·MN 7; MN 29
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
156 ft·2 sec·195th Avenue
6
Continue on MN 7
0.1 mi·8 sec·195th Avenue
7
Continue on MN 7
7.9 mi·9 min·MN 7
8
Continue on MN 7
10 mi·13 min·195th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Continue on MN 7
16 mi·20 min·highway 7 West
10
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
0.6 mi·1 min·4th Avenue Northwest
11
Continue on MN 7; MN 22
4.5 mi·6 min·State Highway 7 East
12
Continue on MN 7; CR 4
11 mi·14 min·MN 7; CR 4
13
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
130 ft·2 sec·MN 7
14
Continue on MN 7
9.0 mi·11 min·MN 7
15
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
125 ft·2 sec·MN 7
16
Continue on MN 7
2.5 mi·3 min·MN 7
17
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
185 ft·3 sec·MN 7
18
Continue on MN 7
5.8 mi·7 min·MN 7
19
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
139 ft·2 sec·MN 7
20
Continue on MN 7
13 mi·17 min·MN 7
Use the straight lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 7
0.6 mi·52 sec·Minnesota State Highway 7
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 494 NorthUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 494
5.7 mi·7 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 22Toward MN 55Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto MN 55
0.3 mi·24 sec·MN 55
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on MN 55
0.3 mi·41 sec·MN 55
27
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
Since this is a single-day journey, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your schedule on track and stay refreshed. Given the 139.7-mile distance, consider fueling up near the start of your trip to ensure you stay within your $20 budget as you approach the busier roads near Plymouth. Keep an eye on your mileage during that long 84.2-mile stretch on MN 7, as maintaining a consistent pace will make the three-hour drive feel much shorter. Planning your single break around the halfway point is an excellent way to maintain focus until you reach your destination.
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 69.9 miles from Dawson, MN, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.2 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 31 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 69.9 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 32m
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 Dawson, 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 Dawson, MN
This is one driving day of about 139.7 miles and 3h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Dawson, 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 MN 7 for about 84.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 113.5 and 139.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
113.5 mi into trip|~2h 30m in|MN 7
Enter roundabout onto MN 7
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
132.3 mi into trip|~2h 56m in|MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
132.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m in
Take the exit toward I 494 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 494 North
7
138.8 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward MN 55
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22
Toward MN 55
7
139.1 mi into trip|~3h 6m in|MN 55
Turn right onto MN 55
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.79 one way
$41.58 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg49 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$22.40
$44.80
premium
$4.53
$24.93
$49.85
diesel
$5.61
$30.84
$61.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 48.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.71
Efficient EV
34.9
0
$12.22
$5.59
EV Truck/SUV
55.9
0
$19.56
$8.94
Gas CO2
49 kg
EV CO2
16 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 21, 2026
Origin
Dawson, MN
Late night
in Dawson on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Late night
in Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
56°F
Hutchinson, MN
70 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
1 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 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with about 80% of your time spent on major routes. You will find yourself settling into a steady rhythm on MN 7, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 84.2 miles. Because the route relies heavily on state highway travel, you can expect a fairly efficient experience behind the wheel. The road transitions from the more open surroundings near Dawson into the increasingly developed corridors approaching Plymouth. It is a practical drive designed for those who prioritize steady progress over winding, technical backroads.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.2 mi on MN 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 7 and Oak Street. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 113.5 miles in near MN 7.
Driving Effort5/10
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 139.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 113.5 miles (MN 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 132.3 miles (MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 7m. Total distance: 139.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.2 miles on MN 7. 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 113.5 miles (MN 7): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 132.3 miles (MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Plymouth, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
