Origin
Plymouth, MN
Evening in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
6:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plymouth, MN to Chanhassen, MN
Drive Time
19m
Distance
13.1 mi
21 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 18m
★
6 AM
0h 19m
8 AM
0h 23m
10 AM
0h 21m
12 PM
0h 20m
3 PM
0h 21m
5 PM
0h 23m
8 PM
0h 18m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plymouth, MN
Tom Fisk
Chanhassen, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Plymouth and Chanhassen, this 13.1-mile journey is an efficient way to navigate the Midwest. The trip typically takes about 19 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting approximately $2 for fuel should cover your needs for this short excursion. Since both cities are located within Minnesota, you will stay within the same regional landscape throughout the drive. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that prioritizes speed and direct access over scenic detours, making it ideal if you need to reach your destination quickly.
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
6.5 miles from Plymouth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 9m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused profile, as 78% of your journey takes place on high-speed roads. You will utilize a combination of I-494, Minnesota State Highway 7, and MN 101 to complete the connection. The longest uninterrupted stretch lasts for 5.4 miles while navigating I-494, which offers a consistent pace before transitioning to state-level roads. Because the route is compact, the transition between these different road types happens rapidly, moving you from major interstate traffic to highway driving with minimal transition time.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 494 is the longest continuous segment at about 5.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 494 and Minnesota State Highway 7. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.1 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.2 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 5.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 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 none lane.
7
5.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward MN 7 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 16B
Toward MN 7 West
3
6.4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7
Turn straight onto MN 7 / Minnesota State Highway 7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
4
8.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
CR 101 / County Road 101
Turn left onto CR 101 / County Road 101
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| Minnesota State Highway 7 | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| MN 101 | 2 mi | 3m |
| County Road 101 | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| West 78th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| CR 101 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| MN 55 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 494
— 5.4 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Chanhassen, 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
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
I 494
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 16B
Toward MN 7 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Turn straight onto MN 7
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Minnesota State Highway 7
Use the none lane.
6
Turn left onto CR 101
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 101
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto CR 101
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
CR 101
8
Continue on MN 101
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
MN 101
Use the none lane.
9
Turn right onto West 78th Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
West 78th Street
10
Arrive at destination
West 78th Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 19-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 13.1-mile trip without needing to schedule any stops for rest or refueling. Keep in mind that because the route relies heavily on I-494, checking local traffic reports before you leave can help you avoid potential congestion on that 5.4-mile stretch. Given the low $2 fuel cost, you do not need to worry about complex gas station planning. Take advantage of the route's brevity by focusing on your arrival time in Chanhassen rather than worrying about mid-trip logistics.
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 6.5 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 5.4 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 13.1 miles or 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.5 miles or 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chanhassen, 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 13.1 miles and 19m.
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 I 494 for about 5.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.5 mi from Plymouth, MN · 9m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.5 miles from Plymouth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Chanhassen, MN
The final approach into Chanhassen, 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 Chanhassen, 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
$1.87 one way
$3.75 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $2.02 | $4.04 |
| premium | $4.39 | $2.27 | $4.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.91 | $5.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.38 | $0.63 |
| Efficient EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.15 | $0.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.2 | 0 | $1.83 | $0.84 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Chanhassen, MN
Evening in Chanhassen on Sunday
Local time
6:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°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
7 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
19m 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 Chanhassen, MN covers 13.1 miles and takes about 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 494, Minnesota State Highway 7, MN 101. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.5 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 $1.87 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 13.1 miles you will encounter 7 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 0.2 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 5.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Plymouth, MN to Chanhassen, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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