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Trip from Lansing, MI to Climax, MI

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

Drive Time

1h 14m

Distance

61.1 mi

98 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 17 min
4 AM
1h 9m ★
6 AM
1h 14m
8 AM
1h 26m
10 AM
1h 18m
12 PM
1h 17m
3 PM
1h 19m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 11m

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

Downtown Climax, MI, MI

Climax, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 61.1-mile drive from Lansing to Climax, Michigan, takes about 1 hour and 14 minutes, making it a perfect one-day trip. You'll primarily navigate I-69, Lansing Road, and Mercury Drive, with a significant portion on the highway. The estimated fuel cost is around $10, and with no mandatory stops suggested, it's a straightforward journey through the Midwest. This route offers a convenient way to travel within the state, allowing for flexibility in your schedule due to its manageable length.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 31.6 mi 33m
Lansing Road 6.5 mi 9m
Mercury Drive 2.2 mi 2m
North Main Street 0.8 mi 1m
Ransom E Olds Freeway 0.6 mi <1m
South Walnut Street 0.4 mi 1m
West Main Street 0.3 mi <1m
South 44th Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 31.6 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Townsend Street

22 ft · 6 sec · Townsend Street
2

Turn left onto West Allegan Street

412 ft · 15 sec · West Allegan Street
3

Turn left onto South Walnut Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Walnut Street
4

Turn right onto West Saint Joseph Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · West Saint Joseph Street
5

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 496 West
6

Merge onto I 496

0.6 mi · 35 sec · Ransom E Olds Freeway
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 4 Toward Lansing Road
8

Continue on West Main Street

0.3 mi · 25 sec · West Main Street
9

Continue on Lansing Road

6.5 mi · 9 min · Lansing Road
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 69 South: Ft Wayne
11

Merge onto I 69

32 mi · 33 min · I 69
12

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward I 94: Chicago, Detroit
13

Keep slight right at fork

16 mi · 18 min
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
14

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 33 sec
Exit 92 Toward M-37: Climax, Augusta
15

Turn left onto I 94 BL; M 37

0.2 mi · 15 sec · West Columbia Avenue
16

Continue on Mercury Drive

2.2 mi · 2 min · Mercury Drive
17

Continue on East M N Avenue

0.2 mi · 40 sec · East M N Avenue
18

Turn left onto South 44th Street

0.3 mi · 37 sec · South 44th Street
19

Continue on North Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
20

Turn left onto East Maple Street

237 ft · 6 sec · East Maple Street
21

Arrive at destination

East Maple Street

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Olivet, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Olivet, MI

31 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

Potterville, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Olivet, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 30.5 miles from Lansing, 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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 57.1 — 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 | West Allegan Street

Turn left onto West Allegan Street

Navigation decision point

5
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward Lansing Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 4 Toward Lansing Road
5
40.9 mi into trip | ~48m in

Take the exit toward I 94: Chicago, Detroit

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

Toward I 94: Chicago, Detroit
5
41.1 mi into trip | ~49m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 West: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 94 West: Chicago
6
57.1 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Take the exit toward M-37: Climax, Augusta

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

Exit 92 Toward M-37: Climax, Augusta

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$9.55 one way

$19.10 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 21 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $10.49 $20.98
premium $4.89 $11.76 $23.52
diesel $5.61 $13.49 $26.98

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$10

Estimated CO2 emission: 21.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 18.3 0 $6.42 $2.93
Efficient EV 15.3 0 $5.35 $2.44
EV Truck/SUV 24.4 0 $8.55 $3.91

Gas CO2

21 kg

EV CO2

7 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Lansing, MI

Late night in Lansing on Sunday

Local time

3:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Climax, MI

Late night in Climax on Sunday

Local time

3:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 14m 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 mixed drive on this route, with 53% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 31.6 miles on I-69, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. As you transition off the interstate, the roads will likely become more local, offering a change in scenery and driving experience. This blend means you'll experience both efficient highway travel and potentially more winding, community-focused roads.

53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 31.6 mi on I 69.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Allegan Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 61.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 (West Allegan Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.

Between Lansing, MI and Climax, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M-37: Climax and Augusta.

Detroit

40.9 mi in | ~48m

M-37: Climax

57.1 mi in | ~1h 7m

Augusta

57.1 mi in | ~1h 7m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 14m. Total distance: 61.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (53%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 31.6 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 Climax, 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 (West Allegan Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 40.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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