This straightforward 129.5-mile drive from Nisswa, MN to Plymouth, MN takes about 2 hours and 36 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. Primarily utilizing US 10 and I-94, with a short section of MN 371, this route keeps you on well-traveled highways for 94% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it's an economical option for traversing the Midwest. The drive offers a practical and efficient way to get from the Nisswa area to the Minneapolis suburbs, with minimal fuss and a clear path ahead.
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
64.8 miles from Nisswa, 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
40.4 mi
48m
I 94
21.1 mi
22m
I 494
5.2 mi
6m
165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
2m
Broadway Street East
1.5 mi
2m
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
1m
MN 55
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 54.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nisswa, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi·1 min·this road
2
Turn right
137 ft·12 sec
3
Turn left onto South Main Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·South Main Street
4
Enter roundabout onto CR 18
14 ft·0 sec·County Road 18
5
Continue on CR 18
0.1 mi·17 sec·County Road 18
6
Turn left onto MN 371
6.8 mi·8 min·MN 371
7
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
1.0 mi·1 min·MN 371
8
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
0.3 mi·23 sec·MN 371
9
Keep slight right at fork onto MN 371
32 mi·38 min·MN 371
10
Merge onto US 10
28 mi·32 min·US 10
Use the right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi·30 min·US 10
12
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi·2 min·165th Avenue Southeast
13
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi·1 min·Park Boulevard Southeast
14
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 11
15
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi·11 sec·State Highway 25
16
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi·42 sec·Pine Street
17
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi·2 min·Broadway Street East
18
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi·40 sec·Fenning Avenue
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
20
Merge onto I 94
21 mi·22 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 494
5.2 mi·6 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 22Toward MN 55Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto MN 55
0.4 mi·47 sec·MN 55
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on MN 55
0.3 mi·41 sec·MN 55
26
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
Given its manageable 2-hour and 36-minute duration, this 129.5-mile drive is best tackled in one go, offering flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Nisswa outside of peak morning or afternoon commute times around the Plymouth area to ensure the smoothest arrival. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $19, you can easily plan for a single fuel and rest break. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Twin Cities metro area, especially if traveling on a weekday.
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 64.8 miles from Nisswa, 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 28 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.8 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 9m
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 Nisswa, 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 Nisswa, MN
This is one driving day of about 129.5 miles and 2h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Nisswa, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 128.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~1m in|South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|CR 18 / County Road 18
Enter roundabout onto CR 18 / County Road 18
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
122.9 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
128.5 mi into trip|~2h 34m 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
$19.27 one way
$38.54 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$20.77
$41.53
premium
$4.53
$23.11
$46.21
diesel
$5.61
$28.59
$57.18
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: 45.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.9
0
$13.60
$6.22
Efficient EV
32.4
0
$11.33
$5.18
EV Truck/SUV
51.8
0
$18.13
$8.29
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Nisswa, MN
Late night
in Nisswa on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Late night
in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
5:16 AM
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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 36m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this 129.5-mile trip. With 94% of the route on highways, you'll experience a consistent pace, particularly on the longest stretch of 54.5 miles along US 10. While primarily highway, the transition between US 10, MN 371, and finally I-94 will offer slight changes in scenery and traffic flow. This isn't a winding scenic byway, but rather a direct and functional connection designed for efficient travel between these two Minnesota locations.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 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?
9/10
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 around 0.2 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 129.5 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 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (CR 18 / County Road 18): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
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 36m. Total distance: 129.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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.
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 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (CR 18 / County Road 18): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Plymouth, MN before heading back.
