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Trip from Kent City, MI to Ann Arbor, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

150.2 mi

242 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 39m ★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 43m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Kent City, MI, MI

Kent City, MI

Emre

Downtown Ann Arbor, MI, MI

Ann Arbor, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Kent City, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is 150.2 miles and takes about 2h 49m via I 96 and US 23, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest drive keeps you within Michigan for its entirety, offering a straightforward trip through familiar terrain. With a high percentage of highway driving, it's a route built for efficiency, making it ideal for a quick visit or transit. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so expect a predictable and generally smooth experience. This trip is well within the scope of a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

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

75.1 miles from Kent City, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 116.5 mi 2h 4m
US 23 14.1 mi 15m
M-37 8.7 mi 11m
Alpine Avenue Northwest 5.2 mi 7m
US 23 BUS 2.4 mi 3m
South Ball Creek Road 0.6 mi 1m
North State Street 0.6 mi 1m
Phelps Avenue Northwest 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 116.5 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kent City, MI and Ann Arbor, MI.

1

Start on North Main Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto South Ball Creek Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Ball Creek Road
3

Turn right onto Phelps Avenue Northwest

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Phelps Avenue Northwest
4

Turn left onto M 37

8.7 mi · 11 min · M-37
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on M 37

5.2 mi · 7 min · Alpine Avenue Northwest
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto I 96; M 37

66 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 96; M 37
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

51 mi · 54 min · I 96
Toward I 96 East: Detroit Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Exit 148A-B Toward US 23: Ann Arbor, Flint Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Exit 148A Toward US 23 South: Ann Arbor Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto US 23

14 mi · 15 min · US 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto US 23 BUS

1.5 mi · 1 min · US 23 BUS
Exit 45 Toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit onto US 23 BUS

0.9 mi · 1 min · US 23 BUS
Exit 3 Toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn left onto Depot Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Depot Street
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right

119 ft · 6 sec
16

Continue on North State Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Arrive at destination

South State Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour 49 minute estimated drive time, leaving Kent City in the morning should allow ample time to reach Ann Arbor with daylight to spare. The route is mostly highway, so your longest stretch without a major change in scenery or road type is 116.5 miles on I 96. Consider a fuel stop before you depart or early in your drive, as the $23 fuel cost estimate suggests a tank of gas will cover most of this trip. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to make it a quick break or a more extended pause. Pay attention to the transition from US 23 to local Ann Arbor roads, as this is where you'll encounter more varied traffic conditions.

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 75.1 miles from Kent City, MI, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.5 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 33 miles or 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 75.1 miles or 1h 26m 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 17m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kent City, 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 Kent City, MI

This is one driving day of about 150.2 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Kent City, MI.
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 96 for about 116.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Grand Ledge, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grand Ledge, MI

75 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

Grand Rapids, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grand Ledge, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 75.1 miles from Kent City, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 150.2

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1 mi

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 150.2

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.4 mi

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.5 mi

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+17348004135

Visit website

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17342229202

Visit website

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 21.5

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

Zingerman's Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17349296060

Visit website

Dozer Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17349295217

Visit website

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17343692494

Visit website

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17347807060

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17345445450

Visit website

517 Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 85.8

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15175745573

Visit website

Black Diesel Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17344368355

Visit website

Qahwah House Coffee - Grand Rapids

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 21.5

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16162449419

Visit website

Venue Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17348229821

Visit website

Grand Ledge Rest Area 825

0 mi from route

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

Northfield Church Rest Area 814

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

Service Plaza

1.1 mi from route

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 21.5

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16169571580

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 150.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Harris Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 96.6

Okemos, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15173493866

Visit website

Fish Ladder Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 21.5

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16164563696

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 75.1

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

Zap Zone at BIG Best In Games - Ypsilanti

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 150.2

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+17349306670

Visit website

Camelot Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 21.5

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16164563232

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 81.2 and 148.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
81.2 mi into trip | ~1h 32m 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
132 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in

Take the exit toward US 23: Ann Arbor, Flint

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 148A-B Toward US 23: Ann Arbor, Flint
8
132.3 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 South: Ann Arbor

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 148A Toward US 23 South: Ann Arbor
7
146.8 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | US 23 BUS

Take the exit onto US 23 BUS toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 45 Toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor
7
148.3 mi into trip | ~2h 45m in | US 23 BUS

Take the exit onto US 23 BUS toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3 Toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$23.48 one way

$46.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $25.78 $51.56
premium $4.89 $28.90 $57.81
diesel $5.61 $33.16 $66.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 45.1 0 $15.77 $7.21
Efficient EV 37.6 0 $13.14 $6.01
EV Truck/SUV 60.1 0 $21.03 $9.61

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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 18, 2026

Origin

Kent City, MI

Morning in Kent City on Sunday

Local time

10:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ann Arbor, MI

Morning in Ann Arbor on Sunday

Local time

10:37 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Mostly Cloudy

W 17 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 2:21PM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 2:10PM EDT until April 20 at 11:00AM 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

20 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

2h 49m 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 predominantly highway, with 89% of the 150.2 miles spent on major roads like I 96 and US 23. You'll experience a long stretch of 116.5 miles on I 96, so expect consistent cruising without many interruptions for traffic lights or sharp turns during that segment. Once you transition to US 23, you'll continue on a similar high-speed path. The final portion of the trip will involve leaving the interstate system, likely bringing you onto surface roads with more frequent exits and potentially denser local traffic as you approach Ann Arbor.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 116.5 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 81.2 miles in near I 96.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 150.2 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 81.2 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Kent City, MI to Ann Arbor, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.

Flint

132 mi in | ~2h 27m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 150.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 116.5 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 12 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.

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 Ann Arbor, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 81.2 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 132 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ann Arbor, 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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Explore More

Return Trip

Ann Arbor, MI to Kent City, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

150.6 mi 2h 50m

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