If you are planning a trip from Carrollton to Lansing, you can expect a manageable 74.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $11 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an economical choice for a quick getaway. You will stay within the Midwest region for the entire trip, traveling between these two Michigan hubs. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or build your own schedule. It is a straightforward, practical connection that links these two areas without the complexity of a multi-day trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.3 miles from Carrollton, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
27.5 mi
27m
Sheridan Road
14.9 mi
20m
East Road
8.3 mi
11m
I 69 BL
6.8 mi
11m
South Sheridan Road
3.3 mi
4m
South Washington Avenue
2.9 mi
4m
Albee Road
1.9 mi
2m
Ransom E Olds Freeway
1.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 27.5 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, MI and Lansing, MI.
1
Start on Jackson Street
196 ft·13 sec·Jackson Street
2
Turn left onto Mapleridge Road
0.2 mi·45 sec·Mapleridge Road
3
Turn right onto Carrollton Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Carrollton Road
4
Turn right onto Weiss Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·Weiss Street
5
Turn left onto Schaefer Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·Schaefer Street
6
Continue on Hill Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hill Street
7
Turn left onto West Genesee Avenue
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Genesee Avenue
8
Continue on Genesee Street
458 ft·9 sec·Genesee Street
9
Continue on East Genesee Avenue
475 ft·13 sec·East Genesee Avenue
10
Turn right onto M 13
2.9 mi·4 min·South Washington Avenue
11
Turn straight onto M 13
0.6 mi·50 sec·East Street
12
Continue on M 13
8.3 mi·11 min·East Road
13
Turn straight onto M 13
1.9 mi·2 min·Albee Road
14
Turn straight onto M 13
15 mi·20 min·Sheridan Road
15
Continue on M 13
1.0 mi·1 min·North Sheridan Avenue
16
Continue on M 13
3.3 mi·4 min·South Sheridan Road
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
18
Merge onto I 69
27 mi·27 min·I 69
19
Take the exit onto I 69 BL
6.8 mi·11 min·I 69 BL
Toward BL I 69: East LansingUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto I 69 BL; M 43
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Grand River Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto North Howard Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Howard Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 127 South
23
Merge onto US 127
0.4 mi·26 sec·US 127
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 77Toward I 496 West: Downtown LansingUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto I 496
1.9 mi·1 min·Ransom E Olds Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 6Toward Downtown
27
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Walnut Street
28
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
412 ft·12 sec·West Allegan Street
29
Turn right onto Townsend Street
22 ft·1 sec·Townsend Street
30
Arrive at destination
Townsend Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you want to avoid potential congestion, though the 1 hour and 40 minute duration is generally predictable. With no mandatory stops built into the itinerary, you can easily fuel up before you leave Carrollton to ensure you stay within your $11 budget without needing to hunt for gas along the way. Pay close attention to your transitions between the local roads and the I-69 corridor to maintain a consistent flow. Use the lack of required stops to your benefit by planning your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs.
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 37.3 miles from Carrollton, MI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 16 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.3 miles or 55m 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 21m
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 Carrollton, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Carrollton, MI
This is one driving day of about 74.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Carrollton, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 27.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 73.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Mapleridge Road
Turn left onto Mapleridge Road
Navigation decision point
6
63.6 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|I 69 BL
Take the exit onto I 69 BL toward BL I 69: East Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward BL I 69: East Lansing
6
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|North Howard Avenue
Turn left onto North Howard Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
71.4 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
5
73.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.66 one way
$23.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.81
$25.61
premium
$4.89
$14.36
$28.71
diesel
$5.61
$16.47
$32.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.4
0
$7.83
$3.58
Efficient EV
18.7
0
$6.53
$2.98
EV Truck/SUV
29.8
0
$10.44
$4.77
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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 12, 2026
Origin
Carrollton, MI
Late night
in Carrollton on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
ESE 6 to 10 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 3:54PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 1:39PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Destination
Lansing, MI
Late night
in Lansing on Tuesday
Local time
4:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Rain Showers Likely
SE 6 to 12 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 3:54PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 1:39PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
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 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 40m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with more efficient highway travel. You will spend about 49% of your time on highways, providing a nice contrast to the slower local sections like Sheridan Road and East Road. The most significant portion of the trip is a 27.5-mile stretch on I-69, which allows you to cover ground quickly before returning to more varied road types. Because the drive is relatively short, the transition between these different road personalities is quick and keeps the experience from feeling monotonous. Expect a functional drive that blends the steady pace of the interstate with the more grounded feel of local Michigan routes.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.5 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mapleridge Road.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 74.6 miles you will encounter 18 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: near the start (Mapleridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 63.6 miles (I 69 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.6 miles (North Howard Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
888 ft588 ft
Total Climb
316 ft
Total Descent
50 ft
Highest Point
888 ft
~59.1 mi in
Elevation Range
300 ft
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 Carrollton, MI to Lansing, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bl I 69: East Lansing along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 74.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.5 miles on I 69. 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: near the start (Mapleridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 63.6 miles (I 69 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.6 miles (North Howard Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lansing, MI before heading back.
