Traveling from Plymouth to Ely covers 254.5 miles of Minnesota landscape, typically taking about 5 hours and 2 minutes of driving time. Because this route functions as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, you should plan for a full day of travel. While it is physically possible to complete the journey in one day, the nature of the roads makes an overnight stay in Ely a wise choice to avoid fatigue. Budget approximately $36 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Midwest destinations. Whether you are heading north for a weekend getaway or a longer excursion, keep in mind that the transition from the Twin Cities metro area to the wilderness near Ely requires a steady, focused pace.
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
127.2 miles from Plymouth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
105 mi
1h 52m
US 53
47.7 mi
57m
Highway 169
28.6 mi
40m
MN 33
19.8 mi
26m
I 35W
19.8 mi
21m
State Highway 169
14.4 mi
19m
I 694
6.5 mi
7m
I 94
6.3 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Ely, 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
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 35
12
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.6 mi·58 sec·MN 33
Toward MN 33: Cloquet, Iron Range
13
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
127 ft·1 sec·MN 33
14
Continue on MN 33
19 mi·25 min·MN 33
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto MN 33
0.4 mi·29 sec·MN 33
16
Merge onto US 53
37 mi·43 min·US 53
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 53
113 ft·1 sec·US 53
18
Continue on US 53
10 mi·13 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward MN 169: Ely
20
Continue on MN 169
14 mi·19 min·State Highway 169
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Continue on MN 169
29 mi·40 min·Highway 169
Use the straight lane.
22
Arrive at destination
MN 1; MN 169
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 254.5-mile journey, try to depart early in the morning to navigate the metro interstate segments before peak traffic intensifies. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into your $36 fuel budget. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, stay alert for frequent turns and changing speed limits that can impact your estimated 5-hour travel time. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so don't be afraid to pull over if you need a break from the constant steering. Given the turn-heavy nature of the final stretch, double-check your navigation system periodically to ensure you stay on track as you approach Ely.
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 127.2 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.2 miles or 2h 19m 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 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ely, 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 254.5 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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 105 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 18
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
$37.87 one way
$75.75 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$40.81
$81.62
premium
$4.53
$45.41
$90.82
diesel
$5.61
$56.19
$112.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.4
0
$26.72
$12.22
Efficient EV
63.6
0
$22.27
$10.18
EV Truck/SUV
101.8
1
$35.63
$16.29
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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
Plymouth, MN
Evening
in Plymouth on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ely, MN
Evening
in Ely on Saturday
Local time
8:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
33°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
14 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
5h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares including I-494 North, I-94 East, and I-35W North before transitioning into the more technical, turn-heavy local roads that define the latter portion of this trip. Unlike a monotonous highway cruise, this route features a 0% highway share for the final segments, requiring your full attention as the road profile shifts. Expect the character of your drive to evolve from efficient interstate travel to a more intimate, winding experience as you move deeper into the region. Since there are no long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed pavement, you will find yourself constantly adjusting to the local road conditions.
99% 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: 105 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 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 18 significant decision points across 254.5 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: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Plymouth, MN to Ely, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Iron Range along the way.
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 254.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 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 Ely, 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: 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ely, MN before the return drive.
