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Trip from Lansing, MI to Ferrysburg, MI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 52m

Distance

98.8 mi

159 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 48m

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

Downtown Ferrysburg, MI, MI

Ferrysburg, MI

Gupta Sahil

Trip Overview

This 98.8-mile drive from Lansing to Ferrysburg, Michigan, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 52 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's an economical option for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes I-96, making it a highly efficient journey through the Midwest region. You'll find this drive to be direct and uncomplicated, perfect for when you want to reach your destination without much fuss. Considering its short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

49.4 miles from Lansing, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 81.3 mi 1h 27m
Cleveland Street 4.8 mi 6m
Ransom E Olds Freeway 4.5 mi 4m
I 69 2.9 mi 3m
East Savidge Street 2 mi 4m
I 496 1.2 mi 1m
South Walnut Street 0.4 mi 1m
3rd Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 81.3 mi, about 1h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lansing, MI and Ferrysburg, 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 Rapids Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37

28 mi · 29 min · I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 22 sec
Exit 9 Toward M 104, M 231: Spring Lake, Grand Haven Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12

Continue on M 104

4.8 mi · 6 min · Cleveland Street
13

Continue on M 104

2.0 mi · 4 min · East Savidge Street
Use the right lane.
14

Turn slight right onto M 104

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Pine Street
Toward US 31 North: Muskegon
15

Turn left onto M 104

0.4 mi · 55 sec · 3rd Street
16

Continue on 174th Avenue

0.2 mi · 29 sec · 174th Avenue
17

Turn right

64 ft · 4 sec
18

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the efficient 1 hour and 52-minute duration, you have the flexibility to leave Lansing at your convenience. Since the longest stretch on I-96 is 81.3 miles, plan for a single fuel stop if your vehicle's range is less than that, though with a total trip cost of only $15, it's an inexpensive fill-up. Keep an eye on your mileage, as the transition from I-96 to local roads like Cleveland Street in Ferrysburg will signal your approach to the destination. This direct route means you can depart later in the day and still arrive well before evening.

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 49.4 miles from Lansing, MI, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.3 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 22 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 49.4 miles or 54m 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 28m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lansing, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lansing, MI

This is one driving day of about 98.8 miles and 1h 52m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lansing, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 81.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and seat of Kent County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grand Rapids, MI

49 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

Portland, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Forest Hills, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.4 miles from Lansing, 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 81.3 miles.

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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 91 — 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

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
91 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in

Take the exit toward M 104, M 231: Spring Lake, Grand Haven

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 9 Toward M 104, M 231: Spring Lake, Grand Haven

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.45 one way

$30.89 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.96 $33.92
premium $4.89 $19.01 $38.03
diesel $5.61 $21.81 $43.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.6 0 $10.37 $4.74
Efficient EV 24.7 0 $8.65 $3.95
EV Truck/SUV 39.5 0 $13.83 $6.32

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 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 20, 2026

Origin

Lansing, MI

Morning in Lansing on Tuesday

Local time

9:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ferrysburg, MI

Morning in Ferrysburg on Tuesday

Local time

9:45 AM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

54°F

Grand Rapids, MI

49 mi in

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

21 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

1h 52m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this 98.8-mile journey. With 91% of the drive on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I-96, including an uninterrupted stretch of 81.3 miles. The Ransom E Olds Freeway also contributes to this high-speed profile. This road character means you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and limited opportunities for spontaneous stops along the main thoroughfare. It's a route designed for covering ground efficiently rather than for leisurely sightseeing.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.3 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Cleveland Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Allegan Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 98.8 miles you will encounter 12 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 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.

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 Ferrysburg, MI, road signs point toward Grand Rapids, M 37 North: Muskegon, M 104, M 231: Spring Lake and Grand Haven.

Grand Rapids

5.6 mi in | ~7m | via I 496

M 37 North: Muskegon

63.4 mi in | ~1h 9m | via I 96; M 37

M 104

91 mi in | ~1h 39m

M 231: Spring Lake

91 mi in | ~1h 39m

Grand Haven

91 mi in | ~1h 39m

About the Cities

Starting in Lansing, MI

Full guide →

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.

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 1h 52m. Total distance: 98.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81.3 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 Ferrysburg, 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 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.

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