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

The driving distance from Plymouth, MN to Elbow Lake, MN is about 152.5 miles (245.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 139.7 miles (224.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 40m 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
152.47 mi
02h 50m
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 Plymouth.

Flight Distance

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

Driving Distance

Road route
152.47 mi
Kilometers
245.38 km
Drive Time
02h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Elbow Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 5:01 AM CDT
Return by in Plymouth
Thu, Apr 23, 7:52 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plymouth
2026-04-23T02:11
Arrive Elbow Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 5:01 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:50 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
Albany
MN

City in Stearns County, Minnesota, United States

From Plymouth
76.1 mi
01h 25m
To Elbow Lake
76.4 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
24 to 30 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    117.5 mi · 2 hr 6 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 79, CR 41: Elbow Lake, Evansville

    1030 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left onto State Hwy 79

    696 ft · 14 sec · State Hwy 79

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 79

    8.5 mi · 12 min · State Highway 79

  11. 11

    Continue on Viking Trail

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Viking Trail

  12. 12

    Continue on 2nd Street Northeast

    1055 ft · 21 sec · 2nd Street Northeast

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 79

    1328 ft · 32 sec · State Highway 79

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Central Avenue

    27 m · 2 sec · Central Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Central Avenue

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 West
135 mi · 88%
State Highway 79
8.72 mi · 6%
I 494 North
5.33 mi · 3%
Viking Trail
3.08 mi · 2%
2nd Street Northeast
0.2 mi
MN 79
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

I 94 West

Keep slight left

118 mi · 02h 06m

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 50m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.8 mi
139.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albany
01h 25m from Plymouth
Leave By
12:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Plymouth and Chance Light Rain near Elbow Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 152.5 miles (245.4 km) and usually takes 02h 50m 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 76.1 miles from Plymouth and 76.4 miles from Elbow Lake.

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 12.8 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 12:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.20 one way or $38.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Plymouth and Chance Light Rain near Elbow Lake.

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 Plymouth and Elbow Lake. Straight-line distance: 139.72 mi (224.86 km).

Plymouth

#1 Plymouth

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Population79,635
Coordinates45.0105200, -93.4555100
Altitude296
CountryUnited States
Elbow Lake

#2 Elbow Lake

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

Population1,144
Coordinates45.9941300, -95.9767200
Altitude372
CountryUnited States
Start: Plymouth (-93.45551, 45.01052)
End: Elbow Lake (-95.97672, 45.99413)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 245 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.38 gal
20.37 L · about $19.20
Round trip
$38.40
10.76 gal · 40.74 L
Estimated CO2
47.8 kg one way
Round trip: 95.6 kg / 211 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $19.20 $38.40
Mid-grade $3.92 $21.09 $42.19
Premium $4.39 $23.63 $47.26
Diesel $4.86 $26.17 $52.34

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 Plymouth and Elbow Lake. The current time is 02:11:40.

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.