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Trip from Auburn, MI to Lansing, MI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 54m

Distance

100.6 mi

162 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 47m ★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Auburn, MI, MI

Auburn, MI

Hoàng Tiến Anh

Trip Overview

This 100.6-mile drive from Auburn to Lansing is a straightforward trip through Michigan's Midwest region, easily manageable in about 1 hour and 54 minutes. It's perfect for a day trip, with a modest fuel cost estimated at $16, so you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The route is primarily highway-focused, making it an efficient way to get from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, ensuring a consistent pace for the journey. This drive offers a practical and uncomplicated transit experience within the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50.3 miles from Auburn, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 44.1 mi 47m
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway 37.2 mi 37m
I 69 BL 6.8 mi 11m
US 10 5.7 mi 5m
Ransom E Olds Freeway 1.9 mi 1m
South Auburn Street 0.5 mi 1m
South Walnut Street 0.4 mi 1m
US 127 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 44.1 mi, about 47m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn, MI and Lansing, MI.

1

Start on West Midland Street

84 ft · 5 sec · West Midland Street
2

Turn right onto South Auburn Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Auburn Street
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 10 East: Bay City
4

Merge onto US 10

5.7 mi · 5 min · US 10
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 38 sec
Exit 140A Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
6

Merge onto I 75; US 23

36 mi · 38 min · I 75; US 23
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

7.8 mi · 8 min · I 75; US 23
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 117B-A Toward I 69: Port Huron, Lansing
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 69: Port Huron, Lansing
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 117A Toward I 69 East, I 69 West: Port Huron, Lansing
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 69 West: Lansing
12

Merge onto I 69

37 mi · 37 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
13

Take the exit onto I 69 BL

6.8 mi · 11 min · I 69 BL
Toward BL I 69: East Lansing Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn straight onto I 69 BL; M 43

0.2 mi · 36 sec · East Grand River Avenue
Use the left lane.
15

Turn left onto North Howard Avenue

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Howard Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 127 South
17

Merge onto US 127

0.4 mi · 26 sec · US 127
18

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 77 Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing Use the slight right lane.
19

Merge onto I 496

1.9 mi · 1 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 6 Toward Downtown
21

Turn right onto South Walnut Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Walnut Street
22

Turn right onto West Allegan Street

412 ft · 12 sec · West Allegan Street
23

Turn right onto Townsend Street

22 ft · 1 sec · Townsend Street
24

Arrive at destination

Townsend Street

Trip Plan

Given the short 1 hour and 54-minute duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility; you can leave whenever it suits you best. With no planned stops, you'll want to ensure you have enough fuel before departing Auburn, as the total distance is 100.6 miles and the estimated fuel cost is $16. Pay attention to road signs for I-69 BL as you approach Lansing, as this will guide you into the city. Since the drive is so direct, consider packing snacks and drinks to maximize your time at your destination.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.3 miles from Auburn, MI, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 44.1 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 22 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 50.3 miles or 54m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lansing, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Auburn, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Auburn, MI

This is one driving day of about 100.6 miles and 1h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Auburn, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 44.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Michigan, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corunna, MI

50 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.

Popular next leg

Corunna, MI to Lansing, MI

35.7 mi · 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Buena Vista, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flint, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.3 miles from Auburn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 97.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
6.4 mi into trip | ~7m in

Take the exit toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 140A Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
6
50.9 mi into trip | ~55m in

Take the exit toward I 69: Port Huron, Lansing

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 117B-A Toward I 69: Port Huron, Lansing
6
51.2 mi into trip | ~55m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 69: Port Huron, Lansing

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 69: Port Huron, Lansing
7
51.5 mi into trip | ~56m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 East, I 69 West: Port Huron, Lansing

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 117A Toward I 69 East, I 69 West: Port Huron, Lansin...
7
97.4 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in

Take the exit toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 77 Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.73 one way

$31.46 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.27 $34.54
premium $4.89 $19.36 $38.72
diesel $5.61 $22.21 $44.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.2 0 $10.56 $4.83
Efficient EV 25.2 0 $8.80 $4.02
EV Truck/SUV 40.2 0 $14.08 $6.44

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Auburn, MI

Morning in Auburn on Tuesday

Local time

8:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lansing, MI

Morning in Lansing on Tuesday

Local time

8:13 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°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

19 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

1h 54m 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?

Expect a highway-focused experience for 95% of this 100.6-mile journey. You'll be on major thoroughfares like I-75 and I-69 BL for the majority of the drive, offering a consistent and predictable road surface. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 44.1 miles on I-75, allowing for a good period of steady cruising. This route prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours, so prepare for a direct and relatively uniform driving experience.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 44.1 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Chevrolet-Buick Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 100.6 miles you will encounter 22 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 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Auburn, MI to Lansing, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bl I 69: East Lansing along the way.

Bl I 69: East Lansing

89.6 mi in | ~1h 36m | via I 69 BL

About the Cities

Arriving in Lansing, MI

Full guide →

Lansing is a pleasant city, and as Michigan's state capital, it is home to many government offices. Downtown Lansing has a historic shopping district amidst the campus of Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 54m. Total distance: 100.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 44.1 miles on I 75. 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 Lansing, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 50.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 51.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lansing, MI 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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