Tim Hortons
Around the midpoint, short detour
Portage, Michigan
Hours: 5 am–7 pm
+12693430910
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 16m
Distance
119.3 mi
192 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Covert, MI
Wolrider YURTSEVEN
This 119.3-mile journey from Covert, MI to Lansing, MI will take approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused drive, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-94, I-69, and M-140, with about 90% of the route on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $19. Since there are no recommended stops, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. This route is entirely within the Midwest region, offering a consistent driving experience across Michigan.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.6 miles from Covert, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 66.7 mi | 1h 11m |
| I 69 | 35.5 mi | 38m |
| M-140 | 7 mi | 10m |
| I 496 | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| North Main Street | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South Walnut Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Watervliet Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Malcolm X Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Covert, MI and Lansing, MI.
Start on M 140
Continue on M 140
Continue on M 140
Continue on M 140
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Take the exit onto I 94 BL
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 69
Take the exit
Continue on I 496
Take the exit
Turn straight onto West Malcolm X Street
Turn left onto South Walnut Street
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
Turn right onto Townsend Street
Arrive at destination
This relatively short drive of just over two hours is easily manageable in a single day, so you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. Given the 119.3-mile distance and the predominantly highway nature of the route, plan to fuel up before you depart Covert, MI, as there are no specific stops recommended along the way. The estimated fuel cost is $19, so keep that in mind for your budget. When you're on the longest stretch of I-94, around 66.7 miles, consider this a good time to check your fuel and perhaps take a brief rest if needed.
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.
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 26 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.6 miles or 1h 8m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lansing, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Covert, MI 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 Covert, MI
This is one driving day of about 119.3 miles and 2h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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.
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 59.6 miles from Covert, MI, 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 66.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Portage, Michigan
Around the midpoint, short detour
Hours: 5 am–7 pm
+12693430910
BIGGBY COFFEE
Portage, Michigan
Starbucks
Portage, Michigan
Top Coffee Stop
Lansing, Michigan
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm
+15173726899
Blue Owl Coffee
Lansing, Michigan
Strange Matter Coffee Eastside
Lansing, Michigan
Around the midpoint, short detour
Portage, Michigan
Hours: 5 am–7 pm
+12693430910
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Portage, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+12693453540
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Portage, Michigan
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
+12693218713
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Battle Creek, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+12692237760
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Marshall, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+12697814806
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Battle Creek, MI
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
+12699793918
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Battle Creek, Michigan
Hours: 6:30 am–4:30 pm
+12694410205
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Hours: 5 am–8 pm
+12693534368
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Lansing, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm
+15173726899
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Lansing, Michigan
Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm
+15175756836
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Lansing, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+15172245495
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Battle Creek, Michigan
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12694432444
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Lansing, Michigan
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+15175745617
Around the midpoint, short detour
Portage, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12699032447
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Lansing, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+15177211330
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 75.6 and 118.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit onto I 94 BL toward I 69: Fort Wayne, Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 North: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork toward I 69 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit toward I 496: Downtown Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Regular Gas
$18.65 one way
$37.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.48 | $40.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.96 | $45.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.34 | $52.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.53 | $5.73 |
| Efficient EV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.44 | $4.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.7 | 0 | $16.70 | $7.64 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Covert on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Lansing on Sunday
Local time
3:33 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
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.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this trip, with 90% of the 119.3 miles on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 66.7 miles on I-94, offering a good opportunity to settle in for a while. While the profile is listed as highway-focused, be aware that the use of I-69 and M-140 might introduce some variations in road conditions or traffic patterns as you approach your destination. Overall, this route prioritizes efficient travel over scenic detours.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75.6 miles in near I 94 BL.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 119.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 75.6 miles (I 94 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 76.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 76.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 16m. Total distance: 119.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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