How far is Elbow Lake, MN from Plymouth, MN?

The driving distance from Elbow Lake, MN to Plymouth, MN is about 152.9 miles (246 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.7 miles (224.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
152.85 mi
02h 21m
Flight
139.72 mi
224.86 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Elbow Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
139.72 mi
Kilometers
224.86 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
152.85 mi
Kilometers
245.99 km
Drive Time
02h 21m

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 02h 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Plymouth
Thu, Apr 23, 1:04 AM CDT
Return by in Elbow Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 3:25 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Elbow Lake
2026-04-22T22:42
Arrive Plymouth
Thu, Apr 23, 1:04 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:21 AM to 12:21 PM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:48 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Elbow Lake
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

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

Mid-route stop
Albany
MN

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

From Elbow Lake
76.4 mi
01h 10m
To Plymouth
76.5 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 23 mph SSE
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Elbow Lake and Plymouth.

  1. 1

    Start on Central Avenue

    10 m · 3 sec · Central Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto State Highway 79

    1327 ft · 27 sec · State Highway 79

  3. 3

    Continue on 2nd Street Northeast

    1055 ft · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  4. 4

    Continue on Viking Trail

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Viking Trail

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto State Highway 79

    8.5 mi · 12 min · State Highway 79

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right

    1245 ft · 30 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    134.1 mi · 2 hr 24 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South

    2227 ft · 32 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    5.2 mi · 6 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 55

    1335 ft · 35 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left

    2341 ft · 48 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    1610 ft · 42 sec

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 79
143 mi · 94%
I 494 South
5.59 mi · 4%
Viking Trail
3.08 mi · 2%
MN 55
0.56 mi
2nd Street Northeast
0.2 mi
Central Avenue
0.01 mi
Longest Stretch

State Highway 79

Merge slight left

134 mi · 02h 24m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
139.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albany
01h 10m from Elbow Lake
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Elbow Lake and Sunny near Plymouth.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Elbow Lake to Plymouth?

The road trip is about 152.9 miles (246 km) and usually takes 02h 21m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Albany is a useful midpoint, sitting about 76.4 miles from Elbow Lake and 76.5 miles from Plymouth.

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

The direct path is about 139.7 miles (224.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:48 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.24 one way or $38.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Elbow Lake and Sunny near Plymouth.

Stop Ideas Near Albany

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Albany, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Albany.

RAIL

St. Cloud

34 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

82 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Elbow Lake and Plymouth. Straight-line distance: 139.72 mi (224.86 km).

Elbow Lake

#1 Elbow Lake

City in and county seat of Grant County, Minnesota, United Statesn

Population1,144
Coordinates45.9941300, -95.9767200
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Plymouth

#2 Plymouth

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population79,635
Coordinates45.0105200, -93.4555100
Altitude296
CountryUnited States
Start: Central Avenue (-95.97675, 45.99413)
End: MN 55 (-93.455609, 45.010407)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 246 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.39 gal
20.42 L · about $19.24
Round trip
$38.47
10.78 gal · 40.84 L
Estimated CO2
47.9 kg one way
Round trip: 95.8 kg / 211 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.24 $38.47
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.13 $42.27
Premium $4.39 $23.67 $47.35
Diesel $4.86 $26.22 $52.43

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Elbow Lake and Plymouth. The current time is 22:42:48.

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.