Traveling from Plymouth to Rochester covers approximately 100.6 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 8 minutes. This route functions perfectly as a simple day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via US 169 South, MN 62 East, and the Crosstown Highway. With a fuel budget of roughly $14, the trip is quite economical for a solo traveler or a small group. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you will remain in a familiar regional landscape throughout the journey. It is a straightforward trek that prioritizes efficiency over long-distance endurance.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.3 miles from Plymouth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 52
54.7 mi
1h 3m
MN 55
15.1 mi
19m
Crosstown Highway
12 mi
15m
US 169
6.3 mi
7m
County 14 Boulevard
5.8 mi
9m
County 9 Boulevard
4.1 mi
5m
2nd Street Southwest
0.9 mi
2m
County 24 Boulevard
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 52
— 54.7 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Rochester, MN.
1
Start on MN 55
0.2 mi·23 sec·MN 55
2
Continue on MN 55
0.8 mi·1 min·MN 55
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on MN 55
2.6 mi·3 min·MN 55
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward US 169 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto US 169
6.3 mi·7 min·US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward MN 62 EastUse the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto MN 62
0.3 mi·22 sec·Crosstown Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 62
12 mi·14 min·Crosstown Highway
Toward MN 62Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto MN 55
0.8 mi·1 min·MN 55
Exit 117Toward MN 55, MN 13 SouthUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55
11 mi·13 min·MN 55
Toward MN 13 North: Mendota Historic SitesUse the left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
21 mi·24 min·US 52
Toward RochesterUse the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 96Toward CR 24: Cannon Falls
13
Enter roundabout onto CR 24
26 ft·0 sec·County 24 Boulevard
14
Continue on CR 24
0.1 mi·19 sec·County 24 Boulevard
15
Enter roundabout onto CR 14
221 ft·6 sec·County 14 Boulevard
16
Continue on CR 14
5.8 mi·9 min·County 14 Boulevard
17
Turn left onto CR 9
4.1 mi·5 min·County 9 Boulevard
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·42 sec
Toward US 52 South
19
Merge onto US 52
17 mi·19 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 52
17 mi·19 min·US 52
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 55BToward 2nd Street SWUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn left onto 2nd Street Southwest
0.9 mi·2 min·2nd Street Southwest
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn right
187 ft·6 sec
24
Turn straight onto 6th Avenue Southwest
244 ft·12 sec·6th Avenue Southwest
25
Turn left onto 3rd Street Southwest
432 ft·17 sec·3rd Street Southwest
26
Turn left onto 5th Avenue Southwest
403 ft·15 sec·5th Avenue Southwest
27
Arrive at destination
5th Avenue Southwest
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, because the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, check for local traffic patterns before heading out to ensure you stick to that 2-hour and 8-minute estimate. You likely won't need to plan for formal stops given the manageable duration, but keeping your fuel budget around $14 in mind is a smart move for your planning. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to keep your navigation system active, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be tricky to follow without clear guidance. Enjoy the efficiency of this direct Midwestern commute.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.3 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 22 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.3 miles or 1h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rochester, 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 100.6 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Plymouth, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 52 for about 54.7 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 99.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10.7 mi into trip|~14m in|MN 62 / Crosstown Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 62 / Crosstown Highway toward MN 62
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 62
8
22.4 mi into trip|~29m in|MN 55
Take the exit onto MN 55 toward MN 55, MN 13 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 117
Toward MN 55, MN 13 South
7
23.2 mi into trip|~30m in|MN 55
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55 toward MN 13 North: Mendota Historic Sites
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward MN 13 North: Mendota Historic Sites
7
34 mi into trip|~44m in|US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward Rochester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Rochester
7
99.3 mi into trip|~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward 2nd Street SW
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 55B
Toward 2nd Street SW
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.97 one way
$29.94 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$16.13
$32.26
premium
$4.53
$17.95
$35.90
diesel
$5.61
$22.21
$44.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30.2
0
$10.56
$4.83
Efficient EV
25.2
0
$8.80
$4.02
EV Truck/SUV
40.2
0
$14.08
$6.44
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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 Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Plymouth, MN
Late night
in Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rochester, MN
Late night
in Rochester on Tuesday
Local time
4:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
40°F
Empire, MN
50 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 8m 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 turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Because this route has a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a more involved experience behind the wheel compared to a standard freeway trek. You will be navigating local roads, which requires your full attention as the road conditions shift throughout the 100.6-mile distance. While there is no single longest uninterrupted stretch, the constant changes in direction keep the drive engaging. It is best to approach this trip as a series of local transitions rather than a high-speed sprint.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.7 mi on US 52.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 52 and MN 55. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near MN 62 / Crosstown Highway.
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 20 significant decision points across 100.6 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 10.7 miles (MN 62 / Crosstown Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles (MN 55): 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 Rochester, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Cr 24: Cannon Falls 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.
Rochester, Minnesota, about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul, is home to the Mayo Clinic. Rochester is cold in the winter and warm, and many times hot, in the summer. It has a population of 107,890 in the city limits, with more in the surrounding areas, but hosts millions of out-of-town visitors coming for treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Owing to the large number of visitors, Rochester has a well developed infrastructure and is much busier than other cities of its size.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 100.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.7 miles on US 52. 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 Rochester, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.7 miles (MN 62 / Crosstown Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.2 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Rochester, MN before heading back.
