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Trip from Grant, MN to Plymouth, MN

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 19m

Distance

218.1 mi

351 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
4h 7m ★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 46m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Grant, MN, MN

Grant, MN

Tom Fisk

city in Devon, England

Plymouth, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 218.1-mile drive from Grant, Minnesota, to Plymouth, Minnesota, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 19 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 96% of the route being on interstates and US highways, including I-35 and US-53. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $32. Given its highway-focused nature and the relatively short duration, it's a straightforward trip within the Midwest region of Minnesota. You'll encounter just one recommended stop along the way, making it an efficient drive.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

109 miles from Grant, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 109.7 mi 1h 57m
US 53 42.9 mi 51m
MN 33 19.7 mi 26m
I 35W 14.7 mi 16m
US 169 12.9 mi 15m
I 694 4.9 mi 6m
42nd Avenue North 4.8 mi 8m
MN 100 3.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

1.7 mi · 6 min · this road
2

Turn left onto US 169

13 mi · 15 min · US 169
3

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 53 South Use the right lane.
4

Merge onto US 53

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 53
5

Continue on US 53

4.6 mi · 6 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
6

Enter roundabout onto US 53

114 ft · 1 sec · US 53
7

Continue on US 53

37 mi · 43 min · US 53
Use the straight lane.
8

Take the exit onto MN 33

15 mi · 18 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
9

Continue on MN 33

3.9 mi · 7 min · MN 33
Use the straight lane.
10

Enter roundabout onto MN 33

77 ft · 1 sec · MN 33
Toward I 35 South
11

Continue on MN 33

0.5 mi · 40 sec · MN 33
Toward I 35 South
12

Merge onto I 35

110 mi · 1 hr 57 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W

15 mi · 16 min · I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 26C Toward I 694 West Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto I 694

4.9 mi · 6 min · I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 35A Toward MN 100 Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on MN 100

3.3 mi · 4 min · MN 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 12A Toward CR 9: 42nd Avenue Use the straight / right lanes.
19

At end of road, turn left onto CR 9

4.8 mi · 8 min · 42nd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
20

Turn left onto CR 61

1.6 mi · 2 min · Northwest Boulevard
Use the left lane.
21

Turn right onto MN 55

0.3 mi · 28 sec · MN 55
22

Arrive at destination

MN 55

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 19-minute drive, you can comfortably complete it in one day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize your time at your destination or to enjoy less traffic. With a total distance of 218.1 miles and an estimated fuel cost of $32, planning for one fuel stop is prudent. The longest stretch without a break is nearly 110 miles on I-35, so ensure you're comfortable before embarking on that segment. Take advantage of the flexibility this route offers; you can easily adjust your timing for stops as needed.

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 109 miles from Grant, MN, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 48 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 109 miles or 2h 14m 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 29m

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 Grant, 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 Grant, MN

This is one driving day of about 218.1 miles and 4h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Grant, 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 35 for about 109.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Finlayson, MN, MN

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Finlayson, MN

109 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

Eveleth, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Finlayson, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109 miles from Grant, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.7 miles.

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

Kunnari's Kitchen & Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Virginia, Minnesota

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.6

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12182488114

Visit website

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cloquet, Minnesota

1.8 mi

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

New Brighton, Minnesota

1.7 mi

Kunnari's Kitchen & Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 15.6

Virginia, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+12182488114

Visit website

Bearaboo Coffee Escape

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.9

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+12188795051

Adagio's Pizza Factory

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 202.5

New Brighton, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+16512373486

Visit website

Don Goyo Restaurant Columbia Heights

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 202.5

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+17637880299

Visit website

Phoever ❤️ Vietnamese Cuisine & Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 202.5

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+17632088754

Visit website

The Coffee Shop NE

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 202.5

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+16122598478

Visit website

Cabina Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 140.2

Pine City, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13206295982

Visit website

Makwa Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 202.5

Roseville, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16513007946

Visit website

Heights Coffee Bar

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 202.5

Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16123149027

Visit website

Miigwitches Brew

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.9

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12189007959

Coffeesmith

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10 mile 186.9

Forest Lake, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16513009039

Visit website

Walden Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 202.5

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

PILLLAR Forum Cafe & Bar

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 202.5

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+16128754140

Visit website

Cairo Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 202.5

Blaine, Minnesota

Black Bear Golf Course

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 77.9

Cloquet, Minnesota

+12188782485

Visit website

United States Hockey Hall of Fame

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 15.6

Eveleth, Minnesota

Hours: Closed

+12187445167

Visit website

Gas station designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 77.9

Cloquet, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12188792279

Joyer Adventure Farm at Waldoch Farm

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 186.9

Lino Lakes, Minnesota

+16517801207

Visit website

Discover the Range

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 15.6

Eveleth, Minnesota

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12187498161

Visit website

Minnesota Museum of Mining

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Chisholm, Minnesota

+12182545543

Visit website

Minnesota Discovery Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Chisholm, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+12182547959

Visit website

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 14.7 and 211.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
14.7 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward US 53 South

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

Use the right lane. Toward US 53 South
7
187.2 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in | I 35W

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
201.9 mi into trip | ~3h 54m in

Take the exit toward I 694 West

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 26C Toward I 694 West
7
207.3 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in

Take the exit toward MN 100

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 35A Toward MN 100
7
211.2 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in

Take the exit toward CR 9: 42nd Avenue

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 12A Toward CR 9: 42nd Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.46 one way

$64.91 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $34.97 $69.95
premium $4.53 $38.91 $77.83
diesel $5.61 $48.15 $96.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.4 0 $22.90 $10.47
Efficient EV 54.5 0 $19.08 $8.72
EV Truck/SUV 87.2 1 $30.53 $13.96

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Grant, MN

Evening in Grant on Saturday

Local time

8:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Plymouth, MN

Evening in Plymouth on Saturday

Local time

8:27 PM

CDT

Current temp

47°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

11 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

4h 19m on the road

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

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 experience on this route, with over 96% of the drive on main roads like I-35, US-53, and MN-33. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is 109.7 miles on I-35, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent driving. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady speeds and open highway conditions for the majority of your journey. While primarily on major arteries, the transition between these roads will shape the overall feel of the drive.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.7 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and US 53. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.7 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 218.1 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: at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 4h 19m. Total distance: 218.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 109.7 miles on I 35. 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.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 187.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 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.

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