Origin
Plymouth, MN
Evening in Plymouth on Sunday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plymouth, MN to Lakeville, MN
Drive Time
43m
Distance
33.1 mi
53 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 44m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 46m
3 PM
0h 47m
5 PM
0h 51m
8 PM
0h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plymouth, MN
Tom Fisk
Lakeville, MN
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion through the Minnesota Midwest, the 33.1-mile journey from Plymouth to Lakeville is a straightforward, efficient transit. Expect to spend about 43 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel budget of just $5, it is an economical route that relies heavily on major interstate infrastructure. You will primarily utilize I-494 and I-35W before transitioning onto Kenwood Trail. Because the transit is brief, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-haul logistics.
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
16.5 miles from Plymouth, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 21m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 83% of your time spent navigating major thoroughfares. You will face a consistent interstate grind, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 16.2 miles on I-494. The character of the road is functional and fast-paced, designed for getting between points in the Twin Cities metro area efficiently. As you transition from the interstate system toward the final stretch on the Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway, the driving environment shifts from high-speed, multi-lane traffic to a more localized road feel. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that prioritizes speed over scenic variety.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 16.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 494 and I 35W. 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 10 significant decision points across 33.1 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 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
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
16.7 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
8
28.3 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward CR 5, CR 50
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 85
Toward CR 5, CR 50
6
33.1 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
207th Street West
Turn left onto 207th Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Plymouth, MN and Lakeville, MN, road signs point toward Cr 5 and Cr 50.
Cr 5
28.3 mi in
|
~35m
Cr 50
28.3 mi in
|
~35m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 494 | 16.2 mi | 20m |
| I 35W | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Kenwood Trail | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Holyoke Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| MN 55 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 494
— 16.2 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plymouth, MN and Lakeville, 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
16 mi
·
20 min
·
I 494
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
Use the slight right lane.
5
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
this road
Exit 5B
Toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
6
Merge onto I 35W
11 mi
·
12 min
·
I 35W
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 85
Toward CR 5, CR 50
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn left onto CR 5
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Kenwood Trail
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Enter roundabout onto CR 5
127 ft
·
2 sec
·
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
10
Continue on CR 5
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
11
Continue on CR 5
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
12
Continue on CR 50
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Enter roundabout onto Holyoke Avenue
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
Holyoke Avenue
14
Continue on Holyoke Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Holyoke Avenue
15
Turn left onto 207th Street West
22 ft
·
0 sec
·
207th Street West
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
207th Street West
Trip Plan
Because this route is short and relies on heavy-traffic interstates like I-494 and I-35W, aim to travel during off-peak hours to avoid the typical congestion found on these major corridors. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops given the 43-minute duration, allowing you to complete the drive in one smooth push. Keep your $5 fuel budget in mind, as local prices can fluctuate near the highway interchanges. Since the trip is so concise, use the time saved on the road to be more flexible with your arrival and departure times. A helpful tip is to check real-time traffic reports for I-494 before you pull out of your driveway, as the longest stretch of your journey is prone to delays.
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 16.5 miles from Plymouth, MN, or about 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.2 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 33.1 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.5 miles or 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeville, 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 33.1 miles and 43m.
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 16.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.5 mi from Plymouth, MN · 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 33.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.5 miles from Plymouth, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakeville, MN
The final approach into Lakeville, 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 Lakeville, 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
$4.73 one way
$9.47 round trip
$3.63/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.92 | $5.11 | $10.22 |
| premium | $4.39 | $5.72 | $11.45 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.35 | $14.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.48 | $1.59 |
| Efficient EV | 8.3 | 0 | $2.90 | $1.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.2 | 0 | $4.63 | $2.12 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Lakeville, MN
Evening in Lakeville on Sunday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
32 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
43m 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 Lakeville, MN covers 33.1 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 494, I 35W, Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.5 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 $4.73 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 10 significant decision points across 33.1 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 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Plymouth, MN and Lakeville, MN, road signs point toward Cr 5 and Cr 50.
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