How far is Columbus, MN from Plymouth, MN?

The driving distance from Columbus, MN to Plymouth, MN is about 36 miles (57.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 26.5 miles (42.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
35.98 mi
00h 38m
Flight
26.46 mi
42.58 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbus.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
26.46 mi
Kilometers
42.58 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.98 mi
Kilometers
57.91 km
Drive Time
00h 38m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Plymouth
Mon, May 4, 2:50 PM CDT
Return by in Columbus
Mon, May 4, 3:29 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbus
2026-05-04T14:11
Arrive Plymouth
Mon, May 4, 2:50 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:39 AM to 7:39 PM CDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Columbus
10:00 PM CDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
New Brighton
MN

City in Ramsey County, Minnesota, United States

From Columbus
16.3 mi
00h 19m
To Plymouth
19.7 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 7:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph W
Destination
66°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Columbus and Plymouth.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbus and Plymouth.

  1. 1

    Start on Kettle River Boulevard Northeast

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Kettle River Boulevard Northeast

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Lake Drive Northeast

    5.3 mi · 8 min · Lake Drive Northeast

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward I 35W South: Minneapolis

    1131 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    9.3 mi · 10 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 694 West

    2891 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    4.9 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 100

    3218 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 9: 42nd Avenue

    1230 ft · 30 sec

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 42nd Avenue North

    4.8 mi · 9 min · 42nd Avenue North

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Northwest Boulevard

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Northwest Boulevard

  12. 12

    Turn right

    1562 ft · 29 sec

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbus and Plymouth.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
13 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35W South
9.56 mi · 27%
I 694 West
5.44 mi · 15%
Lake Drive Northeast
5.29 mi · 15%
42nd Avenue North
4.77 mi · 13%
MN 100
3.89 mi · 11%
Northwest Boulevard
1.57 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 35W South

Merge slight left

9.34 mi · 00h 10m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 38m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.5 mi
26.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
New Brighton
00h 19m from Columbus
Leave By
7:12 PM CDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny leaving Columbus and Partly Sunny near Plymouth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Columbus to Plymouth?

The road trip is about 36 miles (57.9 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

New Brighton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.3 miles from Columbus and 19.7 miles from Plymouth.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 26.5 miles (42.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.53 one way or $9.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny around Columbus and Partly Sunny near Plymouth.

Stop Ideas Near New Brighton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around New Brighton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 7.7 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
St. Louis Park City Hall
Meeting point 11.5 mi away

St. Louis Park City Hall

Saint Louis Park , MN
5005 Minnetonka Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Rating 2.9/5 21 reviews City government office
Champlin Utility Billing
Nearby stop 12.3 mi away

Champlin Utility Billing

Champlin , MN
11955 Champlin Dr, Champlin, MN 55316
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Urban planning department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to New Brighton.

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

11 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

76 mi away
420 Levee Street
RAIL

St. Cloud

93 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

103 mi away
302 10th Avenue East

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbus and Plymouth. Straight-line distance: 26.46 mi (42.58 km).

Columbus

#1 Columbus

City in Anoka County, Minnesota, United States

Population4,211
Coordinates45.2652200, -93.0501500
Altitude278
CountryUnited States
Plymouth

#2 Plymouth

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population79,635
Coordinates45.0105200, -93.4555100
Altitude296
CountryUnited States
Start: Kettle River Boulevard Northeast (-93.050352, 45.265423)
End: MN 55 (-93.455609, 45.010407)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.27 gal
4.81 L · about $4.53
Round trip
$9.07
2.54 gal · 9.62 L
Estimated CO2
11.3 kg one way
Round trip: 22.6 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $4.53 $9.07
Mid-grade $3.92 $4.98 $9.96
Premium $4.39 $5.58 $11.16
Diesel $4.86 $6.18 $12.35

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Minnesota · May 04, 2026

There is no time difference between Columbus and Plymouth. The current time is 14:11:33.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.