How far is Plymouth, MN from Atwater, MN?

The driving distance from Plymouth, MN to Atwater, MN is about 72.7 miles (117 km), with a travel time of about 01h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 65.1 miles (104.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 17m 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
72.71 mi
01h 38m
Flight
65.14 mi
104.83 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Plymouth.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
65.14 mi
Kilometers
104.83 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.71 mi
Kilometers
117.01 km
Drive Time
01h 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 01h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Atwater
Wed, Apr 15, 10:33 AM CDT
Return by in Plymouth
Wed, Apr 15, 12:12 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plymouth
2026-04-15T08:54
Arrive Atwater
Wed, Apr 15, 10:33 AM CDT
Route Timing
01h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:39 AM to 11:39 AM CDT

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

Leave by
3:12 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Plymouth
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Howard Lake
MN

City in Wright County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Plymouth
36.3 mi
00h 49m
To Atwater
36.4 mi
00h 49m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 8:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE
Destination
59°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    855 ft · 24 sec

  2. 2

    Turn sharp left onto I 494 South

    1590 ft · 41 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West: Wayzata

    3130 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on US 12 West: Wayzata

    2840 ft · 53 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa

    11 mi · 15 min · Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Babcock Boulevard;County Road 90

    41 m · 2 sec · Babcock Boulevard

  8. 8

    Exit the rotary onto Babcock Boulevard

    2 mi · 3 min · Babcock Boulevard

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Babcock Boulevard

    4.1 mi · 6 min · Babcock Boulevard

  10. 10

    Continue on US 12

    3.6 mi · 5 min · US 12

  11. 11

    Continue on 60th Street Southeast

    1234 ft · 19 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  12. 12

    Continue on US 12

    1 km · 51 sec · US 12

  13. 13

    Turn slight right onto 60th Street Southeast

    2418 ft · 39 sec · 60th Street Southeast

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto US 12

    1.3 mi · 2 min · US 12

  15. 15

    Continue on Nelson Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Nelson Boulevard

  16. 16

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  17. 17

    Continue on Pacific Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Pacific Avenue

  18. 18

    Continue on US 12

    4.1 mi · 6 min · US 12

  19. 19

    Continue on 6th Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · 6th Street

  20. 20

    Continue on 60th Street Southwest

    3.5 mi · 5 min · 60th Street Southwest

  21. 21

    Continue on US 12

    1.9 mi · 3 min · US 12

  22. 22

    Continue on Cokato Street

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Cokato Street

  23. 23

    Continue on 50th Street Southwest

    2.7 mi · 3 min · 50th Street Southwest

  24. 24

    Continue on US 12

    2 mi · 2 min · US 12

  25. 25

    Continue on Parker Avenue East

    11.8 mi · 13 min · Parker Avenue East

  26. 26

    Turn right onto North Sibley Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Sibley Avenue

  27. 27

    Continue on US Highway 12

    12.8 mi · 17 min · US Highway 12

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Main Street North

    44 m · 6 sec · Main Street North

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Minnesota Avenue

    47 m · 9 sec · Minnesota Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn right

    41 m · 10 sec

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
31 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 12
15.4 mi · 21%
US Highway 12
12.8 mi · 18%
Parker Avenue East
11.8 mi · 16%
Officer Bill Mathews Memorial Highwa
11 mi · 15%
Babcock Boulevard
6.1 mi · 8%
60th Street Southwest
3.54 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 12

Continue on US Highway 12

12.8 mi · 00h 17m

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
01h 38m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.6 mi
65.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Howard Lake
00h 49m from Plymouth
Leave By
3:12 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Plymouth and Chance Rain Showers near Atwater.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 72.7 miles (117 km) and usually takes 01h 38m 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?

Howard Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.3 miles from Plymouth and 36.4 miles from Atwater.

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

The direct path is about 65.1 miles (104.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.6 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 3:12 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.17 one way or $18.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Plymouth and Chance Rain Showers near Atwater.

Stop Ideas Near Howard Lake

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Howard Lake, 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 Howard Lake.

RAIL

St. Cloud

57 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

71 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plymouth and Atwater. Straight-line distance: 65.14 mi (104.83 km).

Plymouth

#1 Plymouth

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population79,635
Coordinates45.0105200, -93.4555100
Altitude296
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Atwater

Human settlement in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States of America

Population1,113
Coordinates45.1388500, -94.7780600
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Start: Plymouth (-93.45551, 45.01052)
End: Atwater (-94.77806, 45.13885)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 117 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.57 gal
9.71 L · about $9.17
Round trip
$18.34
5.14 gal · 19.42 L
Estimated CO2
22.8 kg one way
Round trip: 45.7 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $9.17 $18.34
Mid-grade $3.92 $10.08 $20.15
Premium $4.39 $11.29 $22.57
Diesel $4.86 $12.50 $25.00

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Plymouth and Atwater. The current time is 08:54:41.

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.