Origin
Cloquet, MN
Afternoon in Cloquet on Sunday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
29°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cloquet, MN to Plymouth, MN
Drive Time
2h 43m
Distance
143.4 mi
231 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 33m
★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cloquet, MN
Tom Fisk
Plymouth, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Cloquet to Plymouth, you are looking at a straightforward 143.4-mile journey across Minnesota. Expect to spend about 2 hours and 43 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will rely heavily on major corridors, specifically I-35, I-35W, and I-694, to navigate the Midwest landscape. Budgeting approximately $21 for fuel should cover your transit comfortably. Because the drive is relatively short and manageable, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you have extra errands to run at your destination. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that gets you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
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
71.7 miles from Cloquet, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm on I-35, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip at 109.7 miles. The personality of this route is defined by efficiency rather than winding backroads, keeping your progress steady as you transition from the Cloquet area toward the Plymouth vicinity. As you merge onto I-35W and eventually I-694, the environment shifts from rural highway driving to the denser traffic patterns characteristic of the approach to your destination. Expect a consistent, interstate-heavy experience that favors speed and directness over technical maneuvers.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 35 is the longest continuous segment at about 109.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near MN 33.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 143.4 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 2.2 miles (MN 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 112.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
MN 33
Enter roundabout onto MN 33 toward I 35 South
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Toward I 35 South
7
112.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m 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
127.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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
132.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m 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
136.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35 | 109.7 mi | 1h 57m |
| 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 |
| MN 33 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Northwest Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| MN 55 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 109.7 mi, about 1h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cloquet, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on 4th Street
26 ft
·
1 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn left onto CR 45
519 ft
·
22 sec
·
Cloquet Avenue
3
Turn left onto MN 33
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
MN 33
4
Enter roundabout onto MN 33
77 ft
·
1 sec
·
MN 33
Toward I 35 South
5
Continue on MN 33
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
MN 33
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
110 mi
·
1 hr 57 min
·
I 35
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35W
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Minneapolis
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 26C
Toward I 694 West
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 694
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 694
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 35A
Toward MN 100
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on MN 100
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
MN 100
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 12A
Toward CR 9: 42nd Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
At end of road, turn left onto CR 9
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
42nd Avenue North
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto CR 61
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Northwest Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto MN 55
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
MN 55
16
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours near the metro area is always a smart move. With only one recommended stop planned for the 143.4-mile distance, you can easily reach your destination in one go without feeling rushed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Cloquet to ensure you start with a full tank, as this will help you stay within your $21 estimated budget. If you find yourself needing a break, plan your single stop near the transition point from I-35 to I-35W to refresh before entering the busier highway segments. Taking advantage of the shorter duration allows you to arrive in Plymouth feeling ready for your day, rather than exhausted by a long haul.
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 71.7 miles from Cloquet, MN, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.7 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.7 miles or 1h 18m 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 8m
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 Cloquet, 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 Cloquet, MN
This is one driving day of about 143.4 miles and 2h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cloquet, 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 109.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.7 mi from Cloquet, MN · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.7 miles from Cloquet, 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 109.7 miles.
Arriving in Plymouth, MN
The final approach into Plymouth, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Plymouth, MN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.51 one way
$41.02 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $22.14 | $44.27 |
| premium | $4.39 | $24.80 | $49.59 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $31.86 | $63.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43 | 0 | $15.06 | $6.88 |
| Efficient EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.55 | $5.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.08 | $9.18 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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
Afternoon in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
3:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°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 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 43m 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 Cloquet, MN to Plymouth, MN covers 143.4 miles and takes about 2h 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 35, I 35W, I 694. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.7 miles from Cloquet, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.51 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 143.4 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (MN 33): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 112.5 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 127.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Cloquet, MN to Plymouth, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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