East Gull Lake to Plymouth is 124.6 miles and takes about 2h 34m via US 10 and I-94, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive that mostly utilizes major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick transition between locations. Expect a largely efficient commute with minimal detours, suitable for a single-day trip.
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
62.3 miles from East Gull Lake, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
54.5 mi
1h 3m
MN 371
32.3 mi
38m
I 94
21.1 mi
22m
I 494
5.2 mi
6m
County Road 125
2 mi
4m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 54.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Gull Lake, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on Pike Bay Road
56 ft·3 sec·Pike Bay Road
2
Turn left onto East Gull Lake Drive
0.2 mi·50 sec·East Gull Lake Drive
3
Continue on East Gull Lake Drive
109 ft·4 sec·East Gull Lake Drive
4
Continue on East Gull Lake Drive
329 ft·17 sec·East Gull Lake Drive
5
Turn left onto CR 105
0.1 mi·21 sec·Gull Lake Dam Road
6
Continue on CR 105
0.1 mi·21 sec·Gull Lake Dam Road
7
Continue on CR 105
119 ft·3 sec·Gull Lake Dam Road
8
Continue on CR 105
260 ft·7 sec·Gull Lake Dam Road
9
Continue on CR 105
1.0 mi·2 min·Gull Lake Dam Road
10
Continue on CR 125
2.0 mi·4 min·County Road 125
11
Merge onto MN 371
311 ft·4 sec·MN 371
12
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
32 mi·38 min·MN 371
13
Merge onto US 10
28 mi·32 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
15
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
16
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
17
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
18
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
19
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
20
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
21
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
23
Merge onto I 94
21 mi·22 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 494
5.2 mi·6 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 22Toward MN 55Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto MN 55
0.4 mi·47 sec·MN 55
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on MN 55
0.3 mi·41 sec·MN 55
29
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 34m duration, this is a very manageable one-day trip. Aim to depart East Gull Lake in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic as you get closer to Plymouth. With only 124.6 miles, you have flexibility in when and where you might stop, but you could consider a brief pause around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you approach the Twin Cities, where gas prices can sometimes be higher. The longest stretch without a major change in direction is over 50 miles on US 10, so plan any necessary breaks before or after that segment.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.3 miles from East Gull Lake, MN, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.5 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.3 miles or 1h 18m 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 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 East Gull Lake, 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 East Gull Lake, MN
This is one driving day of about 124.6 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from East Gull Lake, 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 US 10 for about 54.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 123.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|East Gull Lake Drive
Turn left onto East Gull Lake Drive
Navigation decision point
5
36 mi into trip|~47m in|US 10
Merge onto US 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
96.8 mi into trip|~2h 2m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
118 mi into trip|~2h 25m 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
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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
$18.54 one way
$37.09 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$19.98
$39.96
premium
$4.53
$22.23
$44.46
diesel
$5.61
$27.51
$55.02
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
Efficient EV
31.2
0
$10.90
$4.98
EV Truck/SUV
49.8
0
$17.44
$7.97
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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 20, 2026
Origin
East Gull Lake, MN
Morning
in East Gull Lake on Tuesday
Local time
8:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Morning
in Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
8:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
22 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 34m 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?
You'll spend about 91% of this 124.6-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 54.5 miles, which occurs on US 10. After that, you'll transition to other major roads like MN 371 and I-94. Be prepared for a high volume of exits as you approach the Minneapolis metropolitan area.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.5 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and MN 371. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Gull Lake Drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 124.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Gull Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 36 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.8 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 2h 34m. Total distance: 124.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.5 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Plymouth, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Gull Lake Drive): Navigation decision point; at 36 miles (US 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 96.8 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
