How far is Lakeville, MN from Forest Lake, MN?
The driving distance from Lakeville, MN to Forest Lake, MN is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.2 miles (72.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 09m 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 01h 04m.
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.
The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakeville and Forest Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakeville and Forest Lake.
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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 right
16.1 mi · 19 min
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12
Keep slight left
2.7 mi · 5 min
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13
Keep slight left
2303 ft · 36 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Purple Heart Memorial Highway
107 m · 5 sec · Purple Heart Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight left toward I 35E North, US 10 West
5.2 mi · 7 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East
1620 ft · 20 sec
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, I 694 East
2496 ft · 35 sec
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18
Merge slight left
1.3 km · 60 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth
17.3 mi · 19 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward CR 2: Forest Lake
1134 ft · 28 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on CR 2
53 m · 7 sec
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22
Turn right onto West Broadway Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · West Broadway Avenue
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Lake Street South
4 m · 1 sec · Lake Street South
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24
Exit the roundabout onto Lake Street South
15 m · 1 sec · Lake Street South
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Lake Street South
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakeville and Forest Lake.
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.
I 35E North
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth
17.3 mi · 00h 19m
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 Lakeville and Sunny near Forest Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakeville to Forest Lake?
The road trip is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km) and usually takes 01h 04m 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?
Saint Paul is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25.8 miles from Lakeville and 25.8 miles from Forest Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.2 miles (72.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 4:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.53 one way or $13.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lakeville and Sunny near Forest Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Saint Paul
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Minneapolis City Hall
City of Bloomington
Mall of America®
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saint Paul.
Saint Paul Union Depot
Red Wing station
Menomonie, WI
St. Cloud
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakeville and Forest Lake. Straight-line distance: 45.25 mi (72.83 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 Forest Lake
City in Washington County, Minnesota, United States
| Population | 21,285 |
| Coordinates | 45.2788600, -92.9852200 |
| Altitude | 278 |
| Country | United States |
End: Forest Lake (-92.98522, 45.27886)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 83 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.57 | $6.53 | $13.06 |
| Mid-grade | $3.92 | $7.18 | $14.35 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $8.04 | $16.07 |
| Diesel | $4.86 | $8.90 | $17.80 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.