Plymouth, MN to Mountain Iron, MN is 210.1 miles and takes about 4h 2m via I 35 and US 53, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 99% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient trip. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, ideal for a single-day excursion.
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
105.1 miles from Plymouth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
105 mi
1h 52m
US 53
42.9 mi
51m
MN 33
19.8 mi
26m
I 35W
19.8 mi
21m
I 694
6.5 mi
7m
I 94
6.3 mi
7m
I 494
5 mi
6m
US 169
2.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 105 mi, about 1h 52m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,788 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~198 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 78 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Mountain Iron, 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
5.5 mi·8 min·US 53
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward US 169: Hibbing
20
Turn left onto US 169
2.3 mi·3 min·US 169
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
22
Turn right onto CH 102
0.1 mi·18 sec·Mineral Avenue
23
Continue on CH 102
0.8 mi·1 min·Mineral Avenue
24
Turn left onto CR 708
0.2 mi·31 sec·Main Street
25
Turn left onto Mesabi Avenue
26 ft·1 sec·Mesabi Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Mesabi Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 2m estimated duration, leaving Plymouth in the morning allows ample time to reach Mountain Iron before evening. You'll encounter only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel ready to stretch. The longest continuous stretch is 105 miles on I 35, so be mindful of fuel levels before embarking on that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, which is helpful for budgeting. This is a manageable drive for a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 105.1 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 1h 55m 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 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 1h 55m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mountain Iron, 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 210.1 miles and 4h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 23
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
$35.21 one way
$70.42 round trip
$4.26/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.53
$37.50
$75.01
premium
$5.15
$42.57
$85.15
diesel
$6.18
$51.11
$102.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63
0
$22.06
$10.08
Efficient EV
52.5
0
$18.38
$8.40
EV Truck/SUV
84
1
$29.41
$13.45
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Plymouth, MN
Morning
in Plymouth on Monday
Local time
8:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Mountain Iron, MN
Morning
in Mountain Iron on Monday
Local time
8:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
SW 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
56°F
Bruno, MN
105 mi in
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
4 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
4h 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?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 99% of the 210.1 miles on major roads like I 35, US 53, and MN 33. You'll experience a long stretch of 105 miles on I 35 before transitioning to other highways. Expect consistent cruising with a high percentage of highway driving, meaning fewer turns and more steady forward motion until you reach your destination.
99% 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: 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 23 significant decision points across 210.1 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: 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,478 ft892 ft
Total Climb
586 ft
Total Descent
87 ft
Highest Point
1,478 ft
~210.1 mi in
Elevation Range
586 ft
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 Mountain Iron, 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 4h 2m. Total distance: 210.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 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.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Mountain Iron, 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 10 rest areas 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 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Mountain Iron, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
