This 128.7-mile drive from Starbuck, MN to Plymouth, MN is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 34 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 74% of the journey on major roads like I 94 and I 494. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, this is an affordable option for a quick getaway or a practical commute. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region for the entirety of this trip. Given the relatively short duration, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart and how you pace your journey.
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
64.3 miles from Starbuck, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
89.6 mi
1h 36m
East 7th Street
32 mi
47m
I 494
5.2 mi
6m
MN 55
0.7 mi
1m
Main Street South
0.2 mi
<1m
North Main Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 89.6 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Starbuck, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on MN 29
32 ft·2 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn right onto MN 28; MN 29
32 mi·47 min·East 7th Street
3
Turn left onto US 71; MN 28
0.2 mi·26 sec·Main Street South
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 94 East: St. Cloud
5
Merge onto I 94
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 216Toward I 494 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 494
5.2 mi·6 min·I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 22Toward MN 55Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn left onto MN 55
0.4 mi·47 sec·MN 55
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Continue on MN 55
0.3 mi·41 sec·MN 55
11
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
For this straightforward 2-hour and 34-minute drive, you have the luxury of flexibility. Departing in the morning will likely offer lighter traffic, especially as you get closer to Plymouth. While the longest stretch on I 94 is nearly 90 miles, plan for a brief stop if needed, perhaps around the halfway point of your 128.7-mile journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; with an estimated cost of $19, it's an affordable trip, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. A specific tip for this route: be aware of potential traffic congestion on I 494 as you near the Minneapolis metropolitan area, especially during peak commuting hours.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 64.3 miles from Starbuck, MN, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.6 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 28 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.3 miles or 1h 22m 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 7m
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 Starbuck, 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 Starbuck, MN
This is one driving day of about 128.7 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Starbuck, 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 94 for about 89.6 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 7
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 127.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MN 28; MN 29 / East 7th Street
Turn right onto MN 28; MN 29 / East 7th Street
Navigation decision point
4
32 mi into trip|~47m in|US 71; MN 28 / Main Street South
Turn left onto US 71; MN 28 / Main Street South
Navigation decision point
5
32.5 mi into trip|~48m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
122.1 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 494 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
7
127.7 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Take the exit toward MN 55
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 22
Toward MN 55
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.15 one way
$38.31 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$20.64
$41.28
premium
$4.53
$22.96
$45.93
diesel
$5.61
$28.42
$56.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 45 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.6
0
$13.51
$6.18
Efficient EV
32.2
0
$11.26
$5.15
EV Truck/SUV
51.5
0
$18.02
$8.24
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 20, 2026
Origin
Starbuck, MN
Morning
in Starbuck on Tuesday
Local time
8:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Morning
in Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
8:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
55°F
Avon, MN
64 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
3 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
2h 34m 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 highway-focused experience for most of this 128.7-mile journey, with 74% of the drive taking place on major interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 94, including an uninterrupted stretch of 89.6 miles. This means you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and fewer town stops for a good part of the trip. The transition onto East 7th Street and then I 494 will introduce some changes in the driving environment as you approach your destination.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.6 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and East 7th Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MN 28; MN 29 / East 7th Street.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Starbuck, MN to Plymouth, MN is easy. At 2h 34m with 74% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 28; MN 29 / East 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles (US 71; MN 28 / Main Street South): Navigation decision point; at 32.5 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
The longest stretch is about 89.6 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (MN 28; MN 29 / East 7th Street): Navigation decision point; at 32 miles (US 71; MN 28 / Main Street South): Navigation decision point; at 32.5 miles (I 94): 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 Plymouth, MN before heading back.
