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Trip from Plymouth, MN to Spicer, MN

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 58m

Distance

102.9 mi

166 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 50m ★
6 AM
1h 58m
8 AM
2h 15m
10 AM
2h 4m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Devon, England

Plymouth, MN

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Spicer, MN, MN

Spicer, MN

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

If you are looking to head west from Plymouth, MN, to Spicer, MN, you are in for a straightforward 102.9-mile journey. Clocking in at approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes, this trip is perfectly manageable as a single-day excursion. You will primarily utilize I-94, I-494, and MN-23 to complete the transit. With an estimated fuel cost of about $15, it is an economical route for a quick weekend getaway or a short business trip. Because the drive is relatively brief, you do not need to worry about overnight splits, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare. Both locations sit firmly within the Midwest, so you can expect a familiar landscape as you transition from the suburban outskirts of the Twin Cities toward the more relaxed pace of Spicer.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

51.5 miles from Plymouth, MN

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 52.6 mi 56m
MN 23 44.2 mi 53m
I 494 5 mi 6m
MN 55 <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 52.6 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Spicer, 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 left at fork

0.6 mi · 49 sec
Exit 27 Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
6

Continue on I 94

17 mi · 18 min · I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

36 mi · 38 min · I 94
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward MN 23 West: Paynesville
9

Merge onto MN 23

15 mi · 19 min · MN 23
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on MN 23

1.1 mi · 1 min · MN 23
11

Continue on MN 23

28 mi · 33 min · MN 23
12

Arrive at destination

MN 23

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 102.9-mile trek, plan your departure around local traffic patterns to avoid congestion on the initial interstate portions. Since the total drive time is under two hours, you have the flexibility to power through without needing a scheduled rest stop, though taking a break after the longest 52.6-mile stretch on I-94 is a smart way to stay alert. Be mindful that because this route is almost entirely highway-based, your fuel efficiency will likely remain consistent throughout. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge before leaving Plymouth, as the $15 fuel budget assumes steady highway speeds. The biggest advantage of this route is its simplicity, so pack light and enjoy the ease of a direct, two-hour cruise to Spicer.

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 51.5 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.6 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 23 miles or 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 51.5 miles or 56m 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 36m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spicer, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Plymouth, MN

This is one driving day of about 102.9 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Plymouth, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 52.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city on tripoint of Benton, Sherburne and Stearns Counties in Minnesota, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Saint Cloud, MN

51 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Albertville, MN

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Cloud, MN

Meal break

The midpoint is around 51.5 miles from Plymouth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · first break window

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rogers, Minnesota

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 17min in 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Best coffee break · around the midpoint

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Cloud, Minnesota

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 59min in / 59min to go 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Maynard's Restaurant of Rogers

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Rogers, Minnesota

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+17634280700

Visit website

Lynde’s Restaurant & Catering

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Osseo, Minnesota

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+17634243696

Visit website

District Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+13203422040

Visit website

Playground Plaza

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Maple Grove, Minnesota

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+17632283833

Visit website

Granite City Jump

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Halfway reset 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

St Cloud, Minnesota

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13203422148

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 7

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 58.8 — 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
5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 494 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 494 North
5
0.4 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 494

Merge onto I 494

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
5.3 mi into trip | ~7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Exit 27 Toward I 94 West: Saint Cloud
6
58.8 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | MN 23

Merge onto MN 23

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.31 one way

$30.63 round trip

$3.78/gal 25.4 MPG avg 36 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.07 $16.50 $33.00
premium $4.53 $18.36 $36.72
diesel $5.61 $22.72 $45.44

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: 36 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.9 0 $10.80 $4.94
Efficient EV 25.7 0 $9.00 $4.12
EV Truck/SUV 41.2 0 $14.41 $6.59

Gas CO2

36 kg

EV CO2

12 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 12, 2026

Origin

Plymouth, MN

Morning in Plymouth on Tuesday

Local time

8:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

45°F

Patchy Fog

SSE 10 to 15 mph 42% chance Live forecast

Destination

Spicer, MN

Morning in Spicer on Tuesday

Local time

8:52 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°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

8 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 58m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You should settle in for a steady pace, as the majority of the route is designed for efficient, long-distance travel. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 52.6 miles along I-94, which serves as the primary backbone of your trip. Expect the character of the road to feel consistent and predictable, emphasizing speed and directness over technical maneuvers or winding turns. Being behind the wheel here means maintaining a steady speed while navigating the transition from busier interstate corridors onto MN-23 as you near your final destination.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.6 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and MN 23. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.9 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; near the start: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.4 miles (I 494): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Plymouth, MN

Full guide →

Founded 1852

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 102.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m 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 52.6 miles on I 94. 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 Spicer, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; near the start: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 0.4 miles (I 494): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Spicer, MN before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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