Grand Ledge Rest Area 825
0 mi from route
Trip from Grand Rapids, MI to Brighton, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 5m
Distance
113.5 mi
183 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 5m
8 AM
2h 23m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 10m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 22m
8 PM
2h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Rapids, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Brighton, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Grand Rapids to Brighton is 113.5 miles and takes about 2h 5m via I 96, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan's Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive across the state. With nearly all of the route on the highway, it’s a quick transit, making it ideal for a same-day trip or a brief segment of a larger adventure. Plan for minimal time on surface streets, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.8 miles from Grand Rapids, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 107.1 mi | 1h 54m |
| Gerald R Ford Freeway | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| West Grand River Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Division Avenue North | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Division Avenue Northeast | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Michigan Street Northeast | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Fulton Street West | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Grand River Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 107.1 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-96
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 29 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,231 veh/hr typical · worst 2,857
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids, MI and Brighton, MI.
1
Start on Fulton Street West
57 ft
·
9 sec
·
Fulton Street West
2
Turn left onto Division Avenue North
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Division Avenue North
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Division Avenue Northeast
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Division Avenue Northeast
4
Turn left onto Michigan Street Northeast
232 ft
·
10 sec
·
Michigan Street Northeast
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 196 East: Lansing
6
Merge onto I 196
3.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Gerald R Ford Freeway
7
Merge onto I 96
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
48 mi
·
51 min
·
I 96
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 145
Toward Grand River Avenue, Brighton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn right onto West Grand River Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Grand River Avenue
11
Arrive at destination
East Grand River Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 5m duration, leaving Grand Rapids in the morning allows ample time to reach Brighton without feeling rushed. Since this is a relatively short, mostly highway drive, you won't need to plan for extensive stops. The $20 fuel estimate is manageable, but it's always wise to top off your tank before departing Grand Rapids, especially since the longest stretch is over 100 miles. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 96 to local roads as you near Brighton; this is where your navigation will become more critical.
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 56.8 miles from Grand Rapids, MI, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.1 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 25 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.8 miles or 1h 2m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brighton, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MI
This is one driving day of about 113.5 miles and 2h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Grand Rapids, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 107.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
57 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 56.8 miles from Grand Rapids, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Portland Rest Area 531
0.1 mi from route
Saranac Rest Area 532
0.1 mi from route
Howell Rest Area 812
0.1 mi from route
Okemos Rest Area 811
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Holt Rest Area 810
1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 111.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Division Avenue North
Turn left onto Division Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Michigan Street Northeast
Turn left onto Michigan Street Northeast
Navigation decision point
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 196 East: Lansing
Navigation decision point
Toward I 196 East: Lansing
7
63.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 East: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
8
111.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward Grand River Avenue, Brighton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 145
Toward Grand River Avenue, Brighton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.87 one way
$37.74 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
40 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $20.56 | $41.11 |
| premium | $5.18 | $23.16 | $46.32 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $23.91 | $47.81 |
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: 39.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.92 | $5.45 |
| Efficient EV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.93 | $4.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 45.4 | 0 | $15.89 | $7.26 |
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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.
Origin
Grand Rapids, MI
Evening in Grand Rapids on Wednesday
Local time
5:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
N 7 mph
22% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 27 at 3:59PM EDT until May 28 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 27 at 2:24PM EDT until May 28 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Destination
Brighton, MI
Evening in Brighton on Wednesday
Local time
5:46 PM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
NE 6 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 27 at 3:59PM EDT until May 28 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued May 27 at 2:24PM EDT until May 28 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids 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
3 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 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the 113.5 miles on high-speed roads like I 96 and Gerald R Ford Freeway. You'll experience a long stretch of 107.1 miles on I 96, indicating consistent cruising without frequent turns. Expect to transition to surface roads like West Grand River Avenue for the final segment, likely noticing the change in pace and increased local traffic as you approach Brighton.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.1 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Gerald R Ford Freeway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Division Avenue North.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 113.5 miles you will encounter 8 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 (Division Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (Michigan Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
936 ft
639 ft
Total Climb
399 ft
Total Descent
114 ft
Highest Point
936 ft
~105.4 mi in
Elevation Range
297 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Grand Rapids, MI
Full guide →Founded 1826
Not to be confused with Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Grand Rapids is in West Michigan, in the United States. Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan with a population of just under 200,000 in the city limits (2018), and nearly 570,000 in the surrounding county (2010). The federal West Michigan metropolitan area, which includes Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Holland (and some intervening farmland), has 1.4 million people (2010).
Top landmarks
- • First (Park) Congregational Church — church building in Michigan, United States of America
- • Grand Rapids Savings Bank Building — office building located at 60 Monroe Center, NW, in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- • Heritage Hill Historic District — historic district in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Arriving in Brighton, MI
Full guide →Founded 1832
Brighton is a city in southeast Livingston County featuring a tranquil riverside boardwalk, the Mill Pond, historic cemeteries, local restaurants and art galleries.
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 2h 5m. Total distance: 113.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.1 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Division Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (Michigan Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brighton, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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