Origin
Carlos, MN
Night in Carlos on Tuesday
Local time
10:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carlos, MN to Saint Paul, MN
Data updated 0 seconds ago
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
Loading...
station data
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 .
Loading map...
Drive Character
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.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 109.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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 80 miles or 1h 40m 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 80 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.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.9 mi from Carlos, MN · 1h 32m into the drive
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 80 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.
Arriving in Saint Paul, MN
The final approach into Saint Paul, MN usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Saint Paul, MN.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
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
Night in Saint Paul on Tuesday
Local time
10:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
37°F
Avon, MN
72 mi in
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
1 degrees cooler 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carlos, MN to Saint Paul, MN covers 143.9 miles and takes about 2h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, I 694, County Road 9 Northeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.9 miles from Carlos, MN. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
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.
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.
The route from Carlos, MN to Saint Paul, MN does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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