How far is Carlton, MN from Lakeville, MN?
The driving distance from Carlton, MN to Lakeville, MN is about 157.4 miles (253.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.7 miles (232.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 49m 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 24m.
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 Chisago County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlton and Lakeville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlton and Lakeville.
-
1
Start on County Highway 1
21 m · 8 sec · County Highway 1
-
2
Turn left onto Chestnut Avenue
2.6 mi · 4 min · Chestnut Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto I 35 South: Saint Paul, Minneapolis
919 ft · 22 sec
-
4
Merge slight left
107.8 mi · 1 hr 55 min
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on I 35W: Minneapolis
44.3 mi · 53 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward CR 5, CR 50
999 ft · 26 sec
-
7
Turn left onto Kenwood Trail
1.3 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
-
8
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
-
9
Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
-
10
Continue on Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
770 ft · 17 sec · Kenwood Trai/Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
-
11
Continue on 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2553 ft · 48 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
-
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 202nd Street West
4 m · 1 sec · Holyoke Avenue
-
13
Exit the rotary onto Holyoke Avenue
2291 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
-
14
Turn left onto 207th Street West
7 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 207th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlton 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.
I 35 South
Merge slight left
108 mi · 01h 55m
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.
Sunny leaving Carlton and Sunny near Lakeville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlton to Lakeville?
The road trip is about 157.4 miles (253.3 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?
Rush City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.8 miles from Carlton and 77.6 miles from Lakeville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.7 miles (232.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 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 1:40 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.81 one way or $39.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carlton and Sunny near Lakeville.
Stop Ideas Near Rush City
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 Rush City.
Saint Paul Union Depot
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlton and Lakeville. Straight-line distance: 144.66 mi (232.8 km).
#1 Carlton
City in Minnesota, United States
| Population | 1,081 |
| Coordinates | 46.6638300, -92.4249100 |
| Altitude | 330 |
| 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: 253 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $19.81 | $39.62 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $21.76 | $43.52 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $24.38 | $48.75 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $27.00 | $53.99 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.