Origin
Plymouth, MN
Morning in Plymouth on Wednesday
Local time
10:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plymouth, MN to Atwater, MN
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
72.7 mi
117 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 54m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 45m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plymouth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Atwater, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
The drive from Plymouth, MN to Atwater, MN covers 72.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 12, US Highway 12, Parker Avenue East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 15.4 miles on US 12. At current regular gas prices, budget about $10.82 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36.4 miles from Plymouth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Plymouth, MN to Atwater, MN covers 72.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 12 is the longest continuous segment at about 15.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 72.7 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 0.2 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (I 494): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn sharp left toward I 494 South
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 494 South
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 494
Merge onto I 494
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
2.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19B
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
7
3.3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
5
3.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 12 / Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
Merge onto US 12 / Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 | 15.4 mi | 20m |
| US Highway 12 | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| Parker Avenue East | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa | 11 mi | 14m |
| Babcock Boulevard | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| 60th Street Southwest | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| 50th Street Southwest | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| I 494 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 12
— 15.4 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Atwater, MN.
1
Start on MN 55
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
MN 55
2
Turn sharp left
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 494 South
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto I 494
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 494
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19B
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
Toward US 12 West: Wayzata
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto US 12
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Enter roundabout onto US 12
135 ft
·
1 sec
·
Babcock Boulevard
8
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Babcock Boulevard
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 12
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Babcock Boulevard
10
Continue on US 12
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
11
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
60th Street Southeast
12
Continue on US 12
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
·
US 12
13
Turn slight right onto US 12; MN 25
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
60th Street Southeast
14
Merge onto US 12; MN 25
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12; MN 25
15
Continue on US 12; MN 25
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Nelson Boulevard
16
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
17
Continue on US 12
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pacific Avenue
18
Continue on US 12
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12
19
Continue on US 12
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
6th Street
20
Continue on US 12
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
60th Street Southwest
21
Continue on US 12
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
22
Continue on US 12
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Cokato Street
23
Continue on US 12
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
50th Street Southwest
24
Continue on US 12
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 12
25
Continue on US 12
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Parker Avenue East
26
Turn right onto US 12; MN 22
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sibley Avenue
27
Continue on US 12; MN 22
13 mi
·
17 min
·
US Highway 12
28
Turn left onto CR 2
144 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street North
29
Turn right onto Minnesota Avenue
154 ft
·
8 sec
·
Minnesota Avenue
30
Turn right
135 ft
·
9 sec
31
Arrive at 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 36.4 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 15.4 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 72.7 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.4 miles or 51m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Atwater, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plymouth, 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 Plymouth, MN
This is one driving day of about 72.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Plymouth, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 12 for about 15.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.4 mi from Plymouth, MN · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 72.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.4 miles from Plymouth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Atwater, MN
The final approach into Atwater, 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 Atwater, 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
$10.82 one way
$21.64 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $11.66 | $23.32 |
| premium | $4.53 | $12.97 | $25.94 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.05 | $32.10 |
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: 25.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.63 | $3.49 |
| Efficient EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.36 | $2.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.18 | $4.65 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (64% 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
Atwater, MN
Morning in Atwater on Wednesday
Local time
10:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
45°F
Albertville, MN
36 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
21 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
1h 38m 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 Plymouth, MN to Atwater, MN covers 72.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 12, US Highway 12, Parker Avenue East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.4 miles from Plymouth, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.82 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 demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 72.7 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 0.2 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (I 494): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Plymouth, MN to Atwater, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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