Knife River Wayside Rest
0 mi from route
Trip from Plymouth, MN to Two Harbors, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 39m
Distance
190.6 mi
307 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
38 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 27m
★
6 AM
3h 40m
8 AM
4h 5m
10 AM
3h 49m
12 PM
3h 46m
3 PM
3h 50m
5 PM
4h 4m
8 PM
3h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plymouth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Two Harbors, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Plymouth, MN to Two Harbors, MN covers 190.6 miles and takes about 3h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 35, MN 61, I 35W for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 127.3 miles on I 35. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.36 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
95.3 miles from Plymouth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 127.3 mi | 2h 19m |
| MN 61 | 23.5 mi | 32m |
| I 35W | 19.8 mi | 21m |
| I 694 | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| I 94 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| I 494 | 5 mi | 6m |
| 7th Avenue | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Waterfront Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 127.3 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Two Harbors, 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 East
Use 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 41B
Toward I 35W North
Use 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
127 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 35
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Toward MN 61 North
13
Merge onto MN 61
23 mi
·
32 min
·
MN 61
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on MN 61
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
7th Avenue
Use the straight lane.
15
Turn right onto CR 20
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Waterfront Drive
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
71 ft
·
3 sec
·
4th Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
4th Avenue
Trip Plan
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 95.3 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 127.3 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 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.3 miles or 1h 46m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Two Harbors, 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 190.6 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 127.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 95.3 miles from Plymouth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 127.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Forest Lake Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Goose Creek Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Culkin Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Thompson Hill Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
General Andrews Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Kettle River Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Elm Creek Rest Area
2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 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
$28.36 one way
$56.73 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $30.56 | $61.13 |
| premium | $4.53 | $34.01 | $68.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.08 | $84.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
38 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Maple Grove, MN
Tesla
12 DCFC
Maple Grove, MN
Maple Grove, MN
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
12 DCFC
Brooklyn Park, MN Rechargery Relay @ Hy-Vee - Zane Ave North
Brooklyn Park, MN
IONNA
10 DCFC
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Minnetonka, MN
Tesla
8 DCFC
Hy-Vee - Tesla Supercharger
Robbinsdale, MN
Tesla
8 DCFC
Morries Minnetonka Ford
Minnetonka, MN
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
CircleK - Plymouth
Plymouth, MN
CIRCLE_K
4 DCFC
McDonalds #12407, Maple Grove
Maple Grove, MN
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
DIRT_ROAD: 13
ChargePoint Network: 9
Tesla: 3
Non-Networked: 3
Blink Network: 2
FORD_CHARGE: 1
IN_CHARGE: 1
EV Connect: 1
CIRCLE_K: 1
eVgo Network: 1
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
IONNA: 1
ZEFNET: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.01 | $9.15 |
| Efficient EV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.68 | $7.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.68 | $12.20 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Origin
Plymouth, MN
Morning in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
7:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Two Harbors, MN
Morning in Two Harbors on Sunday
Local time
7:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°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
10 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 39m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
190.6 mi in 3h 39m, mostly highway — 127.3 mi of that is on I 35.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 127.3 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and MN 61. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 190.6 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: 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.
About the Cities
Starting in Plymouth, MN
Full guide →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 3h 39m. Total distance: 190.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m 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 127.3 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 Two Harbors, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Two Harbors, MN, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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