Plymouth, MN to Arnold, MN is 171.3 miles and takes about 3h 16m via I-35, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive entirely within the Midwest, specifically Minnesota. You'll spend most of your time on interstates, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a quick trip without many detours. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits for a 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
85.7 miles from Plymouth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
123.8 mi
2h 14m
I 35W
19.8 mi
21m
I 694
6.5 mi
7m
I 94
6.3 mi
7m
I 494
5 mi
6m
Howard Gnesen Road
4.1 mi
7m
Kenwood Avenue
1.4 mi
3m
Mesaba Avenue
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 123.8 mi, about 2h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Arnold, MN.
1
Start on MN 55
62 ft·3 sec·MN 55
2
Take the exit
186 ft·4 sec
Toward I 494 North
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 494 North
4
Merge onto I 494
5.0 mi·6 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward I 94 East, I 694 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 94; I 694
6.3 mi·7 min·I 94; I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
6.5 mi·7 min·I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 41BToward I 35W NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35W
3.0 mi·3 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
17 mi·18 min·I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
124 mi·2 hr 14 min·I 35
12
Take the exit onto MN 194
0.3 mi·38 sec·MN 194
13
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 194
0.4 mi·24 sec·MN 194
14
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 194
1.3 mi·1 min·Mesaba Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto East 13th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East 13th Street
16
Turn left onto East Skyline Parkway
0.4 mi·57 sec·East Skyline Parkway
17
Turn straight onto Kenwood Avenue
1.4 mi·3 min·Kenwood Avenue
18
Continue on CH 34
4.1 mi·7 min·Howard Gnesen Road
19
Turn right onto CH 2
1.0 mi·2 min·West Tischer Road
20
Turn left onto CH 36
55 ft·1 sec·Arnold Road
21
Arrive at destination
CH 36
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 16m drive time, leaving Plymouth, MN in the morning will get you to Arnold, MN with plenty of daylight to spare. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, you can comfortably plan your budget. Since this is a one-day trip, you won't need to break it up, but be aware of the 123.8-mile stretch on I-35 where you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking. Consider making your single stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if 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 85.7 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.8 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 38 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.7 miles or 1h 35m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arnold, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, MN
This is one driving day of about 171.3 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Plymouth, 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 123.8 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 21.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Take the exit toward I 494 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 494 North
8
5.3 mi into trip|~7m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 East, I 694 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94 East, I 694 East
6
12.1 mi into trip|~15m in|I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
18.6 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 35W North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 41B
Toward I 35W North
6
21.8 mi into trip|~26m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.49 one way
$50.99 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$27.47
$54.94
premium
$4.53
$30.56
$61.13
diesel
$5.61
$37.82
$75.64
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.4
0
$17.99
$8.22
Efficient EV
42.8
0
$14.99
$6.85
EV Truck/SUV
68.5
0
$23.98
$10.96
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Plymouth, MN
Night
in Plymouth on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arnold, MN
Night
in Arnold on Saturday
Local time
11:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
34°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
13 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
3h 16m 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 drive is primarily on interstates, with 95% of the journey taking place on highways like I-35W and I-35. Expect a consistent highway-focused experience for the majority of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 123.8 miles, allowing for extended periods of steady driving. While the route remains largely on high-speed roads, the transition from I-694 to I-35W and then I-35 provides subtle shifts in the interstate environment.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.8 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 171.3 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: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.1 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 16m. Total distance: 171.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.8 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Arnold, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.1 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Arnold, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
