How far is Saint Paul, MN from Carlos, MN?

The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Carlos, MN is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 128.1 miles (206.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m 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
143.62 mi
02h 54m
Flight
128.06 mi
206.1 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Saint Paul.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
128.06 mi
Kilometers
206.1 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.62 mi
Kilometers
231.14 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carlos
Thu, Apr 23, 7:03 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Paul
Thu, Apr 23, 9:57 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Paul
2026-04-23T04:08
Arrive Carlos
Thu, Apr 23, 7:03 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM CDT

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

Leave by
12:42 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Saint Paul
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
Saint Augusta
MN

City in Minnesota, United States

From Saint Paul
71.7 mi
01h 27m
To Carlos
72 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Saint Paul and Carlos.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Paul and Carlos.

  1. 1

    Start on Wabasha Street North

    1641 ft · 1 min · Wabasha Street North

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 7th Street East

    1140 ft · 44 sec · 7th Street East

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Robert Street North

    1071 ft · 40 sec · Robert Street North

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 11th Street East

    137 m · 18 sec · 11th Street East

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, US 10 West

    1156 ft · 30 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    4.9 mi · 6 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on US 10 West, I 694 West, I 694 East

    1620 ft · 20 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on I 694 West, US 10 West

    18.5 mi · 23 min

  9. 9

    Continue on I-94 W

    17.1 mi · 19 min · I-94 W

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    85.9 mi · 1 hr 32 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward CR 3, MN 27: Osakis, Westport

    1236 ft · 37 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto State Highway 27

    1.7 mi · 2 min · State Highway 27

  13. 13

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue East

    1 km · 1 min · 1st Avenue East

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East Nokomis Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East Nokomis Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Douglas County Highway 82

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Douglas County Highway 82

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Nelson Street South

    1.4 km · 2 min · Nelson Street South

  17. 17

    Continue on County Road 9 Northeast

    4.1 mi · 10 min · County Road 9 Northeast

  18. 18

    Continue on County Road 9 Northeast

    2.3 mi · 6 min · County Road 9 Northeast

  19. 19

    Continue on Douglas Avenue

    1990 ft · 60 sec · Douglas Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 2nd Street

    21 m · 3 sec · 2nd Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 2nd Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Saint Paul and Carlos.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
21 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-94 W
103 mi · 72%
I 694 West
18.5 mi · 13%
County Road 9 Northeast
6.4 mi · 4%
I 35E North
5.11 mi · 4%
Douglas County Highway 82
4.56 mi · 3%
State Highway 27
1.74 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I-94 W

Keep slight left

85.9 mi · 01h 32m

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
02h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.5 mi
128.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Augusta
01h 27m from Saint Paul
Leave By
12:42 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Paul and Chance Rain Showers near Carlos.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Saint Paul to Carlos?

The road trip is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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 Augusta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.7 miles from Saint Paul and 72 miles from Carlos.

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

The direct path is about 128.1 miles (206.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.5 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 12:42 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.09 one way or $36.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Paul and Chance Rain Showers near Carlos.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Augusta

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

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

RAIL

St. Cloud

10 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

95 mi away
Midway Station
RAIL

Staples

109 mi away
First & Fourth Aves

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Carlos. Straight-line distance: 128.06 mi (206.1 km).

Saint Paul

#1 Saint Paul

The second most populous city in Minnesota and the center of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area.

Population306,717
Coordinates44.9444100, -93.0932700
Altitude242
CountryUnited States
Carlos

#2 Carlos

City in Douglas County, Minnesota

Population2,130
Coordinates45.9724600, -95.2922600
Altitude418
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Paul (-93.09327, 44.94441)
End: Carlos (-95.29226, 45.97246)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 231 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.07 gal
19.18 L · about $18.09
Round trip
$36.19
10.14 gal · 38.36 L
Estimated CO2
45.1 kg one way
Round trip: 90.1 kg / 199 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $18.09 $36.19
Mid-grade $3.92 $19.88 $39.76
Premium $4.39 $22.27 $44.53
Diesel $4.86 $24.66 $49.32

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

There is no time difference between Saint Paul and Carlos. The current time is 04:08:57.

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.