Origin
Apple Valley, MN
Evening in Apple Valley on Wednesday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Apple Valley, MN to Plymouth, MN
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
30m
Distance
29.7 mi
48 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 33m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Apple Valley, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Plymouth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Apple Valley, MN to Plymouth, MN covers 29.7 miles and takes about 30m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cedar Avenue, I 494 West, US 169 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.42 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
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
14.8 miles from Apple Valley, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 30m drive with frequent turns across 29.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Cedar Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Apple Valley, MN to Plymouth, MN is easy. At 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Apple Valley, MN to Plymouth, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Avenue | — | — |
| I 494 West | — | — |
| US 169 South | — | — |
| US 169 North | — | — |
| MN 55 West | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Cedar Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Apple Valley, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on County Road 42
36 ft
·
6 sec
·
County Road 42
2
Turn right onto Cedar Avenue
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Cedar Avenue
3
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 West, MN 5 West
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 494 West, MN 5 West
4
Merge slight left
6.9 mi
·
8 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South, US 169 North
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 169 South, US 169 North
6
Keep slight right to continue on US 169 North
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 169 North
7
Merge slight left
8.3 mi
·
10 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward MN 55 West
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
MN 55 West
9
Merge slight left
3.5 mi
·
4 min
10
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 14.8 miles from Apple Valley, MN, or about 15m into the drive.
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 29.7 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.8 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plymouth, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Apple Valley, MN.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Apple Valley, MN
This is one driving day of about 29.7 miles and 30m.
At 29.7 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.8 mi from Apple Valley, MN · 15m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 29.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.8 miles from Apple Valley, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Plymouth, MN
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Plymouth, MN if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.42 one way
$8.84 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $4.76 | $9.53 |
| premium | $4.53 | $5.30 | $10.60 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.56 | $13.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.12 | $1.43 |
| Efficient EV | 7.4 | 0 | $2.60 | $1.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.16 | $1.90 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Evening in Plymouth on Wednesday
Local time
5:33 PM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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
30m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Apple Valley, MN to Plymouth, MN covers 29.7 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Cedar Avenue, I 494 West, US 169 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.8 miles from Apple Valley, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Apple Valley, MN to Plymouth, MN is easy. At 30m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Apple Valley, MN to Plymouth, MN is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Apple Valley, MN to Plymouth, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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