Lansing to Comstock Park is 72.1 miles and takes about 1 hour 21 minutes via I 96 and I 69, with a fuel budget near $11 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, traversing the Midwest region from one side to the other. Given its short duration and predominantly highway profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, making it an efficient option for getting between these two points.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
59.3 mi
1h 3m
Ransom E Olds Freeway
4.5 mi
4m
I 69
2.9 mi
3m
US 131
1.3 mi
1m
I 496
1.2 mi
1m
West River Drive Northeast
0.8 mi
1m
South Walnut Street
0.4 mi
1m
Lamoreaux Drive Northeast
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 59.3 mi, about 1h 3m
Traffic on I-96
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,991 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,680
Quietest
2 AM
~137 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Lansing, MI and Comstock Park, 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
4.5 mi·4 min·Ransom E Olds Freeway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 496
1.2 mi·1 min·I 496
Toward I 69 North, I 96 West: Flint, Grand Rapids
8
Merge onto I 69; I 96
2.9 mi·3 min·I 69; I 96
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
54 mi·57 min·I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand RapidsUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37
5.7 mi·6 min·I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: MuskegonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 31BToward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big RapidsUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 131
1.3 mi·1 min·US 131
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Exit 91Toward West River Drive Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto West River Drive Northeast
0.8 mi·1 min·West River Drive Northeast
15
Turn right onto Lamoreaux Drive Northeast
0.4 mi·46 sec·Lamoreaux Drive Northeast
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto Bud Drive Northeast
43 ft·1 sec·Bud Drive Northeast
17
Arrive at destination
Bud Drive Northeast
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 36 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 70.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.6 mi into trip|~7m in|I 496
Keep slight right at fork onto I 496 toward I 69 North, I 96 West: Flint, Grand Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69 North, I 96 West: Flint, Grand Rapi...
7
9.7 mi into trip|~12m in|I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
8
63.4 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|I 96; M 37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37 toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
8
69 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids
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 31B
Toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids
7
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Take the exit toward West River Drive
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 91
Toward West River Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.18 one way
$22.36 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg25 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$12.26
$24.51
premium
$4.93
$13.99
$27.98
diesel
$5.60
$15.89
$31.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
21.6
0
$7.57
$3.46
Efficient EV
18
0
$6.31
$2.88
EV Truck/SUV
28.8
0
$10.09
$4.61
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Forecast as of Sep 2, 2026
Origin
Lansing, MI
Late night
in Lansing on Tuesday
Local time
2:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 3:26PM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Comstock Park, MI
Late night
in Comstock Park on Tuesday
Local time
2:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 2 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 1 at 3:26PM EDT until September 2 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
1h 21m 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 drive is 96% highway, meaning you'll be on I 96 and I 69 for the vast majority of the 72.1 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in direction or road type is 59.3 miles, all on I 96. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits as you approach your destination. The transition to surface streets will occur as you near Comstock Park.
96% 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: 59.3 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Ransom E Olds Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near I 496.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.1 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 5.6 miles (I 496): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.4 miles (I 96; M 37): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
872 ft655 ft
Total Climb
129 ft
Total Descent
327 ft
Highest Point
872 ft
~5.1 mi in
Elevation Range
217 ft
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 Comstock Park, MI, road signs point toward Grand Rapids and M 37 North: Muskegon.
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.
Top landmarks
•Michigan State Capitol — state capitol building of the U.S. state of Michigan
•Boji Tower — building in Lansing, Michigan, United States completed in 1931
•Accident Fund Building — office building and former power plant in Lansing, Michigan, US
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 72.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.3 miles on I 96. 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 Comstock Park, 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: at 5.6 miles (I 496): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9.7 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.4 miles (I 96; M 37): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Comstock Park, MI before heading back.
