How far is Plymouth, MN from Brainerd, MN?

The driving distance from Plymouth, MN to Brainerd, MN is about 117.7 miles (189.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.8 miles (160.6 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
117.74 mi
02h 21m
Flight
99.81 mi
160.63 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
99.81 mi
Kilometers
160.63 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
117.74 mi
Kilometers
189.48 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 Brainerd
Tue, May 5, 12:06 AM CDT
Return by in Plymouth
Tue, May 5, 2:27 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plymouth
2026-05-04T21:45
Arrive Brainerd
Tue, May 5, 12:06 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 Plymouth
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
Sauk Rapids
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Plymouth
58.8 mi
01h 10m
To Brainerd
58.9 mi
01h 10m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
66°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph W
Destination
57°F
Monday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 4 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    19 m · 3 sec

  2. 2

    Take the exit right toward I 494 North

    57 m · 5 sec

  3. 3

    Keep slight left to continue on I 494 North

    1746 ft · 43 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    5 mi · 6 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Saint Cloud

    3250 ft · 50 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    16.6 mi · 18 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    6 mi · 6 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    2016 ft · 53 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Pine Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Pine Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 25

    540 ft · 19 sec · State Highway 25

  11. 11

    Turn left onto County Road 11

    1.1 km · 54 sec · County Road 11

  12. 12

    Continue on Park Boulevard Southeast

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Park Boulevard Southeast

  13. 13

    Continue on 165th Avenue Southeast

    1.8 mi · 2 min · 165th Avenue Southeast

  14. 14

    Turn left

    54.4 mi · 1 hr 4 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right

    27.4 mi · 32 min

  16. 16

    Turn right onto State Highway 210

    1.6 km · 2 min · State Highway 210

  17. 17

    Continue on West Washington Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · West Washington Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto South 6th Street

    7 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 6th Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
19 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
165th Avenue Southeast
29.2 mi · 25%
I 94 West
23.6 mi · 20%
I 494 North
5.33 mi · 5%
Park Boulevard Southeast
1.38 mi · 1%
West Washington Street
1.2 mi · 1%
State Highway 210
0.97 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

54.4 mi · 01h 04m

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
+17.9 mi
99.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sauk Rapids
01h 10m from Plymouth
Leave By
1:48 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Plymouth and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Brainerd.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 117.7 miles (189.5 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?

Sauk Rapids is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.8 miles from Plymouth and 58.9 miles from Brainerd.

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

The direct path is about 99.8 miles (160.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.9 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 $14.85 one way or $29.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Plymouth and Slight Chance Rain Showers near Brainerd.

Stop Ideas Near Sauk Rapids

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sauk Rapids, 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 Sauk Rapids.

RAIL

St. Cloud

3 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Staples

98 mi away
First & Fourth Aves
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

104 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plymouth and Brainerd. Straight-line distance: 99.81 mi (160.63 km).

Plymouth

#1 Plymouth

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population79,635
Coordinates45.0105200, -93.4555100
Altitude296
CountryUnited States
Brainerd

#2 Brainerd

City in Minnesota

Population13,449
Coordinates46.3580200, -94.2008300
Altitude371
CountryUnited States
Start: Plymouth (-93.45551, 45.01052)
End: Brainerd (-94.20083, 46.35802)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 189 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.16 gal
15.73 L · about $14.85
Round trip
$29.69
8.32 gal · 31.46 L
Estimated CO2
37 kg one way
Round trip: 73.9 kg / 163 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $14.85 $29.69
Mid-grade $3.92 $16.31 $32.62
Premium $4.39 $18.27 $36.54
Diesel $4.86 $20.23 $40.47

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Plymouth and Brainerd. The current time is 21:45:22.

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.