This straightforward 75-mile drive from Winthrop, MN to Plymouth, MN takes about 1 hour and 33 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on US 212 and State Highway 15 before connecting to I-494. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, this is an economical journey through the Midwest. The route is overwhelmingly highway-focused, offering a consistent driving experience. Since it's a relatively short distance, you have the flexibility to depart when it suits you best and arrive without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.5 miles from Winthrop, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 212
50.7 mi
1h
State Highway 15
12.6 mi
15m
I 494
10.1 mi
12m
MN 55
0.6 mi
1m
4th Street West
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 212
— 50.7 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Winthrop, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on MN 19
0.5 mi·1 min·4th Street West
2
Turn right onto MN 15
13 mi·15 min·State Highway 15
3
Turn right onto US 212
13 mi·15 min·US 212
4
Enter roundabout onto US 212
156 ft·2 sec·US 212
5
Continue on US 212
10 mi·11 min·US 212
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
28 mi·32 min·US 212
Use the straight lane.
7
Take the exit
439 ft·10 sec
Toward I 494 NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 494 North
9
Merge onto I 494; MN 5
10 mi·12 min·I 494; MN 5
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 22Toward MN 55Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn right onto MN 55
0.3 mi·24 sec·MN 55
Use the right lane.
12
Continue on MN 55
0.3 mi·41 sec·MN 55
13
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 33-minute duration, you can easily complete this 75-mile trip in a single day. Consider departing in the mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour congestion as you get closer to Plymouth. Since there are no designated stops in the provided data and the longest stretch is over 50 miles on US 212, plan a brief fuel or rest break before you begin the final approach on I-494 if needed. The $11 fuel cost is minimal, so focus on enjoying the efficient drive.
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 37.5 miles from Winthrop, MN, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50.7 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 17 miles or 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.5 miles or 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 1h 17m
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 Winthrop, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Winthrop, MN
This is one driving day of about 75 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Winthrop, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 212 for about 50.7 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 36 and 74.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
36 mi into trip|~44m in|US 212
Keep slight right at fork onto US 212
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
63.8 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 494 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 494 North
6
63.8 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 494 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 494 North
7
74.1 mi into trip|~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward MN 55
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 22
Toward MN 55
7
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 31m in|MN 55
Turn right onto MN 55
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.16 one way
$22.32 round trip
$3.78/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.07
$12.03
$24.05
premium
$4.53
$13.38
$26.76
diesel
$5.61
$16.56
$33.12
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.5
0
$7.87
$3.60
Efficient EV
18.8
0
$6.56
$3.00
EV Truck/SUV
30
0
$10.50
$4.80
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Winthrop, MN
Morning
in Winthrop on Tuesday
Local time
8:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Morning
in Plymouth on Tuesday
Local time
8:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Jordan, MN
38 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
1h 33m 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 drive for nearly 99% of this 75-mile trip. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on US 212, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 50.7 miles. This main road provides a consistent pace for most of the journey. As you progress, you'll transition onto State Highway 15 and eventually merge onto I-494, offering a familiar interstate feel as you approach your destination. The road character remains largely open and efficient, with minimal deviations from high-speed travel.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 50.7 mi on US 212.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 212 and State Highway 15. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 36 miles in near US 212.
Driving Effort6/10
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 75 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 36 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 75 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m 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 50.7 miles on US 212. 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 Plymouth, 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: at 36 miles (US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Plymouth, MN before heading back.
