How far is Plymouth, MN from Empire, MN?

The driving distance from Plymouth, MN to Empire, MN is about 42.1 miles (67.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m 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
42.13 mi
00h 53m
Flight
32.5 mi
52.3 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
32.5 mi
Kilometers
52.3 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.13 mi
Kilometers
67.8 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Empire
Fri, Apr 24, 11:24 AM CDT
Return by in Plymouth
Fri, Apr 24, 12:17 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plymouth
2026-04-24T10:30
Arrive Empire
Fri, Apr 24, 11:24 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM CDT

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

Leave by
4:42 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
Mendota
MN

City in Dakota County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Plymouth
21.1 mi
00h 26m
To Empire
21.1 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph W
Destination
59°F
Friday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 24 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    855 ft · 24 sec

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    1.3 km · 1 min

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    2.6 mi · 4 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight right toward US 169 South

    1944 ft · 47 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    6.3 mi · 8 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 62 East

    978 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Crosstown Highway

    1573 ft · 22 sec · Crosstown Highway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Crosstown Highway

    11.7 mi · 15 min · Crosstown Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 55, MN 13 South

    1.2 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on MN 13 North: Mendota Historic Sites

    10.8 mi · 13 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Rochester

    7.7 mi · 9 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 66 West

    32 m · 3 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 200th Street East

    2172 ft · 44 sec · 200th Street East

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 200th Street East

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Crosstown Highway
12 mi · 29%
MN 13 North
10.8 mi · 26%
Rochester
7.7 mi · 18%
US 169 South
6.68 mi · 16%
MN 55
0.76 mi · 2%
200th Street East
0.41 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Crosstown Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Crosstown Highway

11.7 mi · 00h 15m

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
00h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.6 mi
32.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mendota
00h 26m from Plymouth
Leave By
4:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Plymouth and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Empire.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 42.1 miles (67.8 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

Mendota is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.1 miles from Plymouth and 21.1 miles from Empire.

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

The direct path is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.6 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 4:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.32 one way or $10.64 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Plymouth and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Empire.

Stop Ideas Near Mendota

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 Mendota and the surrounding midpoint area.
Minneapolis City Hall
Scenic stop 6.8 mi away

Minneapolis City Hall

Minneapolis , MN
350 S 5th St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Rating 4.3/5 28 reviews City Hall,Tourist attraction
City of Bloomington
Meeting point 7.2 mi away

City of Bloomington

Bloomington , MN
1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, MN 55431
Rating 3.6/5 25 reviews City Hall,City government office
Mall of America®
Nearby stop 3.7 mi away

Mall of America®

Bloomington , MN
60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, United States
Rating 4.6/5 44,911 reviews Shopping mall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

9 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

61 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

98 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
RAIL

St. Cloud

108 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plymouth and Empire. Straight-line distance: 32.5 mi (52.3 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 Empire

Township in Dakota County, Minnesota

Population3,071
Coordinates44.6591300, -93.0146600
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Start: Plymouth (-93.45551, 45.01052)
End: Empire (-93.01466, 44.65913)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 68 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 03m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 50m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 31m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.49 gal
5.63 L · about $5.32
Round trip
$10.64
2.98 gal · 11.26 L
Estimated CO2
13.2 kg one way
Round trip: 26.5 kg / 58 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $5.32 $10.64
Mid-grade $3.92 $5.84 $11.68
Premium $4.39 $6.54 $13.09
Diesel $4.86 $7.25 $14.49

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 24, 2026

There is no time difference between Plymouth and Empire. The current time is 10:30:23.

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.