How far is Carlos, MN from Lakeville, MN?
The driving distance from Carlos, MN to Lakeville, MN is about 157.8 miles (253.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.1 miles (217.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 33m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Minnesota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Sunny
Widespread Frost then Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlos and Lakeville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlos and Lakeville.
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1
Start on 2nd Street
21 m · 7 sec · 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto Douglas Avenue
1990 ft · 55 sec · Douglas Avenue
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3
Continue on County Road 9 Northeast
2.3 mi · 6 min · County Road 9 Northeast
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto County Road 9 Northeast
4.1 mi · 10 min · County Road 9 Northeast
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5
Continue on Nelson Street North
1.4 km · 2 min · Nelson Street North
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6
Turn left onto Douglas County Highway 82
4.6 mi · 6 min · Douglas County Highway 82
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7
Continue on West Nokomis Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Nokomis Street
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8
Turn right onto 1st Avenue East
1 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue East
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9
At the end of the road, turn right onto State Highway 27
1.9 mi · 2 min · State Highway 27
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10
Take the ramp left
1674 ft · 41 sec
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11
Merge slight left
102.4 mi · 1 hr 50 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 South
2227 ft · 32 sec
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13
Continue straight
21.9 mi · 27 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 35W South: Albert Lea
1038 ft · 25 sec
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15
Continue on I 35W South: Albert Lea
2054 ft · 50 sec
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16
Merge slight left
11.1 mi · 13 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CR 5, CR 50
999 ft · 26 sec
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18
Turn left onto Kenwood Trail
1.3 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
39 m · 3 sec · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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21
Continue on Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
770 ft · 17 sec · Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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22
Continue on 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2553 ft · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 202nd Street West
4 m · 1 sec · Holyoke Avenue
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24
Exit the rotary onto Holyoke Avenue
2291 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
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25
Turn left onto 207th Street West
7 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlos and Lakeville.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
State Highway 27
Merge slight left
102 mi · 01h 50m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Widespread Frost then Sunny leaving Carlos and Widespread Frost then Sunny near Lakeville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlos to Lakeville?
The road trip is about 157.8 miles (253.9 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?
Clearwater is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.6 miles from Carlos and 79.2 miles from Lakeville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.1 miles (217.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 1:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.88 one way or $39.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Sunny around Carlos and Widespread Frost then Sunny near Lakeville.
Stop Ideas Near Clearwater
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clearwater.
St. Cloud
Saint Paul Union Depot
Staples
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlos and Lakeville. Straight-line distance: 135.16 mi (217.52 km).
#1 Carlos
City in Douglas County, Minnesota
| Population | 2,130 |
| Coordinates | 45.9724600, -95.2922600 |
| Altitude | 418 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lakeville
The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 69,583 |
| Coordinates | 44.6496900, -93.2427200 |
| Altitude | 296 |
| Country | United States |
End: 207th Street West (-93.24272, 44.649706)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 254 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $19.88 | $39.76 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $21.84 | $43.68 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $24.46 | $48.93 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $27.09 | $54.18 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.