Origin
Plymouth, MN
Late night in Plymouth on Saturday
Local time
12:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plymouth, MN to Empire, 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
42.1 mi
68 km
Drive Score
7/10
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.
Plymouth, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Empire, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
This straightforward 42.1-mile drive from Plymouth, MN to Empire, MN is easily manageable in about 53 minutes, making it an ideal one-day trip. The route primarily utilizes MN 55 and US 52, with a significant portion on the Crosstown Highway, offering a highway-focused experience. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $6, this journey is budget-friendly for most travelers. Given its short distance and focused highway profile, you won't need to break this trip into multiple days. It's a practical option for a quick excursion within the Midwest region of Minnesota.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 42.1 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 (69%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 42.1-mile journey, with 69% of the drive on faster roads. You'll navigate through stretches of MN 55, including a continuous 15.1-mile segment, and connect via the Crosstown Highway and US 52. This profile suggests a relatively smooth and direct drive, prioritizing efficient travel over winding scenic byways. The character of the drive leans towards getting you to your destination efficiently, with limited need for complex navigation or slower local road transitions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 15.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MN 55 and Crosstown Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 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 11 decision points packed into just 42.1 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 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (MN 62 / Crosstown Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
3.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward US 169 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 169 South
7
10.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
MN 62 / Crosstown Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 62 / Crosstown Highway toward MN 62
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward MN 62
8
22.4 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
MN 55
Take the exit onto MN 55 toward MN 55, MN 13 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 117
Toward MN 55, MN 13 South
7
23.2 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
MN 55
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55 toward MN 13 North: Mendota Historic Sites
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward MN 13 North: Mendota Historic Sites
7
34 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
US 52
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52 toward Rochester
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward Rochester
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Plymouth, MN to Empire, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Rochester along the way.
Rochester
34 mi in
|
~44m
|
via US 52
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MN 55 | 15.1 mi | 19m |
| Crosstown Highway | 12 mi | 15m |
| US 52 | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| US 169 | 6.3 mi | 7m |
| 200th Street East | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
MN 55
— 15.1 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Empire, MN.
1
Start on MN 55
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
MN 55
2
Continue on MN 55
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
MN 55
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on MN 55
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
MN 55
Use the left lane.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 169 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Merge onto US 169
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
US 169
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward MN 62 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto MN 62
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Crosstown Highway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 62
12 mi
·
14 min
·
Crosstown Highway
Toward MN 62
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto MN 55
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
MN 55
Exit 117
Toward MN 55, MN 13 South
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto MN 55
11 mi
·
13 min
·
MN 55
Toward MN 13 North: Mendota Historic Sites
Use the left lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 52
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
US 52
Toward Rochester
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
104 ft
·
3 sec
Toward CR 66 West
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto CR 66
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
200th Street East
Use the right lane.
14
Arrive at destination
CR 66
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.1 mi from Plymouth, MN · 27m 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 Plymouth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Empire, MN
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Empire, 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
$6.27 one way
$12.53 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $6.75 | $13.50 |
| premium | $4.53 | $7.51 | $15.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.30 | $18.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.7 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 | 12.6 | 0 | $4.42 | $2.02 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.68 | $1.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.89 | $2.69 |
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
Empire, MN
Late night in Empire on Saturday
Local time
12:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
44°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 cooler 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 Plymouth, MN to Empire, MN covers 42.1 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, Crosstown Highway, US 52. 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 Plymouth, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.27 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 11 decision points packed into just 42.1 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 3.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (MN 62 / Crosstown Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (MN 55): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Plymouth, MN to Empire, MN, road signs begin pointing toward Rochester along the way.
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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