Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Silver Bay, MN to Plymouth, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 15m
Distance
215.5 mi
347 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 2m
★
6 AM
4h 16m
8 AM
4h 42m
10 AM
4h 25m
12 PM
4h 22m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 41m
8 PM
4h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Silver Bay, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Plymouth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Silver Bay, MN to Plymouth, MN is 215.5 miles and takes about 4h 15m via I 35 and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Minnesota, moving from the Midwest's northern reaches towards its more central areas. The route is primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll want to budget for about $32 in fuel, and the drive is designed to be completed within a single day's travel, offering a convenient way to cover the distance.
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
107.7 miles from Silver Bay, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 132.1 mi | 2h 24m |
| MN 61 | 52.5 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 35W | 14.7 mi | 16m |
| I 694 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| 42nd Avenue North | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| MN 100 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Northwest Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| MN 55 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 132.1 mi, about 2h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Silver Bay, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on Water Plant Road
10 ft
·
2 sec
·
Water Plant Road
2
Turn left onto MN 61
52 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
MN 61
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto I 35
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 35
4
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
128 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 26C
Toward I 694 West
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto I 694
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 35A
Toward MN 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on MN 100
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
MN 100
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 12A
Toward CR 9: 42nd Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
At end of road, turn left onto CR 9
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
42nd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto CR 61
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto MN 55
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
MN 55
14
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 15m estimated drive time, leaving Silver Bay in the morning is ideal to avoid late-day fatigue. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can easily complete this trip in one day. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a significant break is 132.1 miles on I 35. The estimated fuel cost of $32 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to check current prices. As you get closer to Plymouth, be prepared for increased traffic density and more frequent exits.
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 107.7 miles from Silver Bay, MN, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 47 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.7 miles or 2h 10m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plymouth, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Silver Bay, 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 Silver Bay, MN
This is one driving day of about 215.5 miles and 4h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Silver Bay, 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 132.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.7 miles from Silver Bay, 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 132.1 miles.
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.
Split Rock Lighthouse Overlook
0 mi from route
Forest Lake Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Goose Creek Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Thompson Hill Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Knife River Wayside Rest
0.1 mi from route
Gooseberry Falls 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
Culkin Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 56.4 and 208.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
56.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
184.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
7
199.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
Take the exit toward I 694 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 26C
Toward I 694 West
7
204.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m in
Take the exit toward MN 100
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35A
Toward MN 100
7
208.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m in
Take the exit toward CR 9: 42nd Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 12A
Toward CR 9: 42nd Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.07 one way
$64.14 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $34.56 | $69.11 |
| premium | $4.53 | $38.45 | $76.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.58 | $95.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.63 | $10.34 |
| Efficient EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.86 | $8.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.2 | 1 | $30.17 | $13.79 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Silver Bay, MN
Late night in Silver Bay on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Late night in Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
5:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
54°F
Woodbury, MN
108 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
11 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
4h 15m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 96% of the 215.5 miles on major roads like I 35 and I 35W. You'll encounter a long stretch of 132.1 miles on I 35, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition to surface roads, if any, will be minimal and occur late in the trip. Expect to merge with urban traffic as you approach the Minneapolis area.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.1 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 around 56.4 miles in near I 35.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 215.5 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: at 56.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving 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 4h 15m. Total distance: 215.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.1 miles on I 35. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 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 Plymouth, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 56.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 199.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Plymouth, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Plymouth, MN
More from Silver Bay, MN
More trips to Plymouth, MN
Explore more options from Silver Bay, MN or browse trips ending in Plymouth, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.