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

The driving distance from Plymouth, MN to Lake City, MN is about 86.7 miles (139.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 70 miles (112.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 50m 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
86.77 mi
01h 55m
Flight
69.99 mi
112.63 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
69.99 mi
Kilometers
112.63 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
86.77 mi
Kilometers
139.65 km
Drive Time
01h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lake City
Sat, Apr 18, 11:01 PM CDT
Return by in Plymouth
Sun, Apr 19, 12:56 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Plymouth
2026-04-18T21:06
Arrive Lake City
Sat, Apr 18, 11:01 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:55 AM to 11:55 AM CDT

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

Leave by
2:40 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
Empire
MN

Township in Dakota County, Minnesota

From Plymouth
43.3 mi
00h 57m
To Lake City
43.4 mi
00h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Saturday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW
Destination
43°F
Saturday

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    11.6 mi · 13 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 50, MN 56: Red Wing, Farmington

    1048 ft · 26 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on MN 50, MN 56: Red Wing, Farmington

    107 m · 14 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

    6.7 mi · 10 min · Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Ryane Clark Memorial Highway

    757 ft · 12 sec · Ryane Clark Memorial Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

    115 m · 6 sec · Hiawatha Pioneer Trail/Disabled American Veterans Highway/Voyageur Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Route 61

    4 mi · 6 min · Route 61

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Route 61

    37 m · 2 sec · Route 61

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Route 61

    5.6 mi · 7 min · Route 61

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on Route 61

    6.1 mi · 9 min · Route 61

  21. 21

    Continue on Main Street

    1.7 mi · 4 min · Main Street

  22. 22

    Continue on Route 61/Route 63

    14.8 mi · 19 min · Route 61/Route 63

  23. 23

    Continue on North Lakeshore Drive

    1.6 mi · 3 min · North Lakeshore Drive

  24. 24

    Turn right onto West Chestnut Street

    55 m · 8 sec · West Chestnut Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Chestnut Street

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Route 61
15.8 mi · 18%
Route 61/Route 63
14.8 mi · 17%
Crosstown Highway
12 mi · 14%
Rochester
11.6 mi · 13%
MN 13 North
10.8 mi · 12%
Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
6.72 mi · 8%
Longest Stretch

Route 61/Route 63

Continue on Route 61/Route 63

14.8 mi · 00h 19m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.7 mi
70 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Empire
00h 57m from Plymouth
Leave By
2:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Plymouth and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 86.7 miles (139.6 km) and usually takes 01h 55m 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?

Empire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 43.3 miles from Plymouth and 43.4 miles from Lake City.

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

The direct path is about 70 miles (112.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.7 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 2:40 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.92 one way or $21.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Plymouth and Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lake City.

Stop Ideas Near Empire

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

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

RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

36 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Red Wing station

39 mi away
420 Levee Street
BUS

Menomonie, WI

89 mi away
302 10th Avenue East
BUS

Eau Claire, WI

114 mi away
6251 Traux Lane

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Plymouth and Lake City. Straight-line distance: 69.99 mi (112.63 km).

Plymouth

#1 Plymouth

The second most populous city in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

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

#2 Lake City

City in Minnesota, USA

Population4,357
Coordinates44.4496800, -92.2682000
Altitude210
CountryUnited States
Start: Plymouth (-93.45551, 45.01052)
End: Lake City (-92.2682, 44.44968)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 140 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 53m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.06 gal
11.59 L · about $10.92
Round trip
$21.84
6.12 gal · 23.18 L
Estimated CO2
27.2 kg one way
Round trip: 54.4 kg / 120 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $10.92 $21.84
Mid-grade $3.92 $12.00 $24.00
Premium $4.39 $13.44 $26.88
Diesel $4.86 $14.88 $29.77

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Plymouth and Lake City. The current time is 21:06:25.

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.