How far is Lakeville, MN from Carlos, MN?
The driving distance from Lakeville, MN to Carlos, MN is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.1 miles (217.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 12m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeville and Carlos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville and Carlos.
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1
Start on 207th Street West
7 m · 5 sec · 207th Street West
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2
Turn right onto Holyoke Avenue
2278 ft · 1 min · Holyoke Avenue
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward 202nd Street West
60 m · 4 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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4
Exit the rotary onto 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
2565 ft · 51 sec · 202nd Street West / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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5
Continue on Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · Kenwood Trail / Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
1.6 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail /Richard J. Ames Memorial Highway
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kenwood Trail
38 m · 2 sec · Kenwood Trail
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Kenwood Trail
1.2 mi · 2 min · Kenwood Trail
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9
Take the ramp right toward I 35 North
951 ft · 23 sec
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10
Merge slight left
2.6 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 494 East, MN 5 East
1527 ft · 37 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 494 West, MN 5 West
1.3 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left
5.8 mi · 7 min
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15
Keep slight left
15.9 mi · 20 min
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Saint Cloud
3250 ft · 50 sec
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17
Continue straight
16.6 mi · 18 min
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18
Keep slight left
85.9 mi · 1 hr 32 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward CR 3, MN 27: Osakis, Westport
1236 ft · 37 sec
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20
Turn right onto State Highway 27
1.7 mi · 2 min · State Highway 27
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21
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
1 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue East
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Nokomis Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Nokomis Street
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23
Continue on Douglas County Highway 82
4.6 mi · 6 min · Douglas County Highway 82
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24
Turn right onto Nelson Street South
1.4 km · 2 min · Nelson Street South
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25
Continue on County Road 9 Northeast
4.1 mi · 10 min · County Road 9 Northeast
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26
Continue on County Road 9 Northeast
2.3 mi · 6 min · County Road 9 Northeast
-
27
Continue on Douglas Avenue
1990 ft · 60 sec · Douglas Avenue
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28
Turn left onto 2nd Street
21 m · 3 sec · 2nd Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeville and Carlos.
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 94 West
Keep slight left
85.9 mi · 01h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Lakeville and Mostly Sunny near Carlos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeville to Carlos?
The road trip is about 157.5 miles (253.4 km) and usually takes 03h 12m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clearwater is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78.6 miles from Lakeville and 78.9 miles from Carlos.
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 22.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:36 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.84 one way or $39.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Lakeville and Mostly Sunny near Carlos.
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 Lakeville and Carlos. Straight-line distance: 135.16 mi (217.52 km).
#1 Lakeville
The most populous city in Dakota County, Minnesota.
| Population | 69,583 |
| Coordinates | 44.6496900, -93.2427200 |
| Altitude | 296 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carlos
City in Douglas County, Minnesota
| Population | 2,130 |
| Coordinates | 45.9724600, -95.2922600 |
| Altitude | 418 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlos (-95.29226, 45.97246)
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 | $19.84 | $39.69 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $21.80 | $43.60 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $24.42 | $48.84 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $27.04 | $54.09 |
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.