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

The driving distance from Saint Paul, MN to Carlton, MN is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 25m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123.1 miles (198.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 50m 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
131.25 mi
02h 25m
Flight
123.08 mi
198.08 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
123.08 mi
Kilometers
198.08 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
131.25 mi
Kilometers
211.22 km
Drive Time
02h 25m

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 25m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Carlton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:17 AM CDT
Return by in Saint Paul
Thu, Apr 23, 5:42 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Saint Paul
2026-04-23T00:51
Arrive Carlton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:17 AM CDT
Route Timing
02h 25m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:25 AM to 12:25 PM CDT

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

Leave by
1:40 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
Pine City
MN

City in Pine County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Saint Paul
65.6 mi
01h 12m
To Carlton
65.6 mi
01h 12m

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
67°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Light Rain Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    Take the exit slight right toward I 35E North, I 694 East

    2496 ft · 35 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    1.3 km · 60 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North: Duluth

    18 mi · 19 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    103 mi · 1 hr 50 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward MN 210: Cromwell, Carlton

    1367 ft · 36 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right

    2.4 mi · 4 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto County Highway 1

    21 m · 2 sec · County Highway 1

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · County Highway 1

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 35E North
127 mi · 97%
Wabasha Street North
0.31 mi
US 10 West
0.31 mi
MN 210
0.26 mi
7th Street East
0.22 mi
Robert Street North
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

I 35E North

Keep slight left

103 mi · 01h 50m

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 25m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.1 mi
123.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pine City
01h 12m from Saint Paul
Leave By
1:40 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Saint Paul and Partly Sunny then Light Rain Likely near Carlton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 131.2 miles (211.2 km) and usually takes 02h 25m 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?

Pine City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.6 miles from Saint Paul and 65.6 miles from Carlton.

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

The direct path is about 123.1 miles (198.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.1 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 $16.52 one way or $33.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Saint Paul and Partly Sunny then Light Rain Likely near Carlton.

Stop Ideas Near Pine City

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Pine City, 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 Pine City.

RAIL

St. Cloud

96 mi away
555 East St. Germain Street
RAIL

Saint Paul Union Depot

97 mi away
Midway Station

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Saint Paul and Carlton. Straight-line distance: 123.08 mi (198.08 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
Carlton

#2 Carlton

City in Minnesota, United States

Population1,081
Coordinates46.6638300, -92.4249100
Altitude330
CountryUnited States
Start: Saint Paul (-93.09327, 44.94441)
End: Carlton (-92.42491, 46.66383)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 211 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 22m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.63 gal
17.53 L · about $16.52
Round trip
$33.05
9.26 gal · 35.06 L
Estimated CO2
41.1 kg one way
Round trip: 82.3 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.57 $16.52 $33.05
Mid-grade $3.92 $18.15 $36.31
Premium $4.39 $20.33 $40.67
Diesel $4.86 $22.52 $45.04

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 Carlton. The current time is 00:51:53.

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.