Origin
Empire, MN
Night in Empire on Friday
Local time
10:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Empire, MN to Plymouth, MN
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
53m
Distance
42.2 mi
68 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 3m
10 AM
0h 57m
12 PM
0h 56m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Empire, MN
Tom Fisk
Plymouth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking to get from Empire to Plymouth, you are in for a straightforward 42.6-mile commute across the Minnesota landscape. This drive typically takes about 44 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily utilize US 52 and MN 55 West to bridge the gap between these two Midwest locations. With a minimal fuel budget of roughly $6, this route is highly cost-effective for a quick transit. Since the travel time is under an hour, there is no need to worry about overnight lodging or complex itineraries. It is a practical, no-nonsense path that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 42.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local driving experience as you navigate your way between Empire and Plymouth. Unlike long-haul interstate routes, this drive features no sustained stretches of highway, meaning you will spend your time navigating through local transitions. The route demands your full attention due to the frequent turns required to follow the path of US 52 and MN 55 West. While it lacks the monotony of a high-speed interstate grind, the lack of highway segments means you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience. You will find that the character of the road changes frequently as you move through these local connections.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MN 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 16.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 55 and US 52. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 42.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
8
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward US 52 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 52 North
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 52
Turn left onto US 52
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
MN 55
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55 toward MN 55 West: Minneapolis
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Exit 121
Toward MN 55 West: Minneapolis
8
25.7 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
MN 62 / Crosstown Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 62 / Crosstown Highway toward I 35W South, MN 62
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W South, MN 62
7
31.9 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Take the exit toward US 169 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 105B
Toward US 169 North
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 55 | 16.7 mi | 22m |
| US 52 | 12 mi | 13m |
| US 169 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Crosstown Highway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| 200th Street East | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MN 55
— 16.7 mi, about 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Empire, MN and Plymouth, MN.
1
Start on CR 66
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
200th Street East
2
Take the ramp
184 ft
·
7 sec
Toward US 52 South
3
Merge onto US 52
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 52
4
Take the exit
106 ft
·
10 sec
Toward US 52 North
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto US 52
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 52
Use the straight lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55
13 mi
·
17 min
·
MN 55
Exit 121
Toward MN 55 West: Minneapolis
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 62
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Toward I 35W South, MN 62
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 105B
Toward US 169 North
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 169
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward MN 55 West
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Merge onto MN 55
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
MN 55
12
Arrive at destination
MN 55
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.1 mi from Empire, MN · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.1 miles from Empire, 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
$6.28 one way
$12.56 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $6.77 | $13.53 |
| premium | $4.53 | $7.53 | $15.06 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.32 | $18.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.43 | $2.03 |
| Efficient EV | 10.6 | 0 | $3.69 | $1.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.9 | 0 | $5.91 | $2.70 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Night in Plymouth on Friday
Local time
10:56 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
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
53m 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 Empire, MN to Plymouth, MN covers 42.2 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MN 55, US 52, US 169. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.1 miles from Empire, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.28 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 42.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 52): Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (MN 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Empire, MN to Plymouth, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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