Origin
Carlos, MN
Late night in Carlos on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carlos, MN to Saint Paul, MN
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 53m
Distance
143.9 mi
232 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 42m
★
6 AM
2h 53m
8 AM
3h 16m
10 AM
3h 1m
12 PM
2h 59m
3 PM
3h 2m
5 PM
3h 14m
8 PM
2h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carlos, MN
Tom Fisk
Saint Paul, MN
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 143.9-mile drive from Carlos to Saint Paul, MN, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 53 minutes. With 89% of the route on highways, it's a very direct path. Expect a fuel cost of around $21 for this trip. The drive primarily utilizes I-94 and I-694, making it a convenient option for a day trip within the Midwest region. This route offers a practical way to travel between these two Minnesota locations without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.9 miles from Carlos, MN
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 109.3 mi | 1h 58m |
| I 694 | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| County Road 9 Northeast | 6.4 mi | 15m |
| Voyageur Highway | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Douglas County Highway 82 | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| State Highway 27 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| West Nokomis Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Nelson Street North | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 109.3 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlos, MN and Saint Paul, MN.
1
Start on 2nd Street
68 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn right onto CR 9
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
Douglas Avenue
3
Continue on CR 9
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 9 Northeast
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR 9
4.1 mi
·
9 min
·
County Road 9 Northeast
5
Continue on CR 9
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Nelson Street North
6
Turn left onto CR 82
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Douglas County Highway 82
7
Continue on CR 82
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Nokomis Street
8
Turn right onto CR 3
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Avenue East
9
At end of road, turn right onto MN 27
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 27
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
11
Merge onto I 94
109 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
I 94
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 694
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Voyageur Highway
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
US 10
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
16
Keep slight right at fork
409 ft
·
10 sec
Toward 10th Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on 10th Street East
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
10th Street East
18
Turn left onto Robert Street North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Robert Street North
19
Turn right onto Kellogg Boulevard East
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Kellogg Boulevard East
20
Turn right onto Wabasha Street North
162 ft
·
5 sec
·
Wabasha Street North
21
Arrive at destination
Wabasha Street North
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 53-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day excursion. You can leave Carlos at your leisure, perhaps mid-morning to avoid early rush hour. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch on I-94 is over 100 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $21 is quite manageable, but it's always wise to check your tank before departing, especially for that long stretch on the interstate.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.9 miles from Carlos, MN, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 32 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Paul, MN than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Carlos, MN so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carlos, MN
This is one driving day of about 143.9 miles and 2h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Carlos, MN.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 109.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.9 miles from Carlos, MN, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 125.4 and 142.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
125.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
I 694
Keep slight left at fork onto I 694
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
137.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
|
US 10 / Voyageur Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 / Voyageur Highway toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward US 10 East, I 35 South: St Paul
9
142.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
US 10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10 toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 107A
Toward US 10 East, I 94 East, US 52 South: 10th...
6
142.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward 10th Street, Wacouta Street
8
142.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 50m in
Keep slight right at fork toward 10th Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 10th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.42 one way
$42.83 round trip
$3.78/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.07 | $23.07 | $46.15 |
| premium | $4.53 | $25.68 | $51.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.11 | $6.91 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.59 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.15 | $9.21 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Saint Paul, MN
Late night in Saint Paul on Tuesday
Local time
4:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the journey on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 109.3 miles on I-94, which means long periods of consistent driving. While the profile is predominantly highway, you'll also encounter sections of County Road 9 Northeast. The road character remains fairly consistent, favoring efficient travel over varied scenery, making it a predictable yet effective way to cover the distance.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 694. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 125.4 miles in near I 694.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.9 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 125.4 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 53m. Total distance: 143.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 109.3 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Saint Paul, MN before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 125.4 miles (I 694): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.1 miles (US 10 / Voyageur Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.6 miles (US 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Saint Paul, MN before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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