Origin
Detroit Lakes, MN
Afternoon in Detroit Lakes on Sunday
Local time
4:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Detroit Lakes, MN to Plymouth, MN
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
190.5 mi
307 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 8m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Detroit Lakes, MN
Tom Fisk
Plymouth, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
Driving from Detroit Lakes to Plymouth covers 190.5 miles of Minnesota landscape, typically taking about 3 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well within the reach of a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should cover your transit across the Midwest as you head toward the Twin Cities area. Since you are staying within Minnesota, the transition between regions is seamless, making this a straightforward trip. It works perfectly as a direct transit route for those looking to reach their destination efficiently without unnecessary detours.
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
95.2 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with the efficiency of major thoroughfares. You will spend roughly 51% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of West Mason Avenue, US 10, and I-94 to make your way south. Prepare for a significant initial stretch, as your longest uninterrupted segment covers 78.4 miles on West Mason Avenue before you transition to the faster-paced interstate system. The road’s personality shifts from the quieter, localized feel of the early miles to the more structured, high-traffic environment of the highway as you approach the Plymouth area. Expect a consistent, functional drive that rewards steady focus.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Mason Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 78.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 10.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 190.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.1 miles (US 10): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 162.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 10
Turn right onto US 10
Navigation decision point
5
44.5 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
162.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
183.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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
189.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Mason Avenue | 78.4 mi | 1h 29m |
| US 10 | 70.5 mi | 1h 21m |
| I 94 | 21.1 mi | 22m |
| Ash Avenue Northwest | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| I 494 | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| 165th Avenue Southeast | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Broadway Street East | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Park Boulevard Southeast | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
West Mason Avenue
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit Lakes, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on CR 22
0.1 mi
·
31 sec
·
Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 10
44 mi
·
50 min
·
US 10
3
Enter roundabout
103 ft
·
1 sec
4
Continue
66 ft
·
0 sec
5
Turn straight onto US 10
7.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Ash Avenue Northwest
6
Continue on US 10
78 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
West Mason Avenue
Use the none / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
26 mi
·
30 min
·
US 10
8
Turn right onto 165th Avenue Southeast
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
165th Avenue Southeast
9
Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Boulevard Southeast
10
Continue on County Road 11
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
·
County Road 11
11
Turn right onto MN 25
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
State Highway 25
12
Continue on MN 25
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Pine Street
13
Turn left onto CR 75
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Broadway Street East
14
Turn right onto CR 18
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
Fenning Avenue
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
16
Merge onto I 94
21 mi
·
22 min
·
I 94
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 216
Toward I 494 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 494
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
I 494
Use the none lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 22
Toward MN 55
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto MN 55
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
MN 55
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on MN 55
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
MN 55
Use the none lane.
22
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 190.5-mile journey, aim to depart early to avoid potential congestion as you near your destination. You have the flexibility to plan around just one major stop, which is perfect for stretching your legs or grabbing a quick bite without disrupting your momentum. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that initial 78.4-mile stretch on West Mason Avenue, as services may be more spread out there compared to the later sections of the route. Since the drive is under four hours, you have plenty of freedom to adjust your schedule based on traffic flow. Focus on maintaining a steady pace during the highway portions to ensure you reach Plymouth feeling refreshed rather than fatigued.
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 95.2 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.2 miles or 1h 49m 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
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 Detroit Lakes, 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 Detroit Lakes, MN
This is one driving day of about 190.5 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Detroit Lakes, 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 West Mason Avenue for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 95.2 mi from Detroit Lakes, MN · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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 95.2 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West Mason Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.25 one way
$54.50 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
67 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $29.41 | $58.82 |
| premium | $4.39 | $32.94 | $65.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $42.32 | $84.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.2 | 0 | $20.00 | $9.14 |
| Efficient EV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.67 | $7.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.67 | $12.19 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Destination
Plymouth, MN
Afternoon in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
4:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
37°F
Avon, MN
95 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
1 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
3h 42m 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 Detroit Lakes, MN to Plymouth, MN covers 190.5 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Mason Avenue, US 10, I 94. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 95.2 miles from Detroit Lakes, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 190.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 10): Navigation decision point; at 44.5 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 162.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Detroit Lakes, MN to Plymouth, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Plymouth, MN
More trips to Plymouth, MN
Explore more options from Detroit Lakes, MN or browse trips ending in Plymouth, MN.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MN road trips.
Explore maps for Detroit Lakes, MN or Plymouth, MN on MapSof.net.