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Trip from Lansing, MI to Kingston, 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 11m

Distance

107.7 mi

173 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$17

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 2m ★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m

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 Kingston, MI, MI

Kingston, MI

Tuấn Kiệt Jr.

Trip Overview

This 107.7-mile drive from Lansing to Kingston, Michigan, is a manageable one-day adventure, taking approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $17, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest region. The route primarily utilizes I-69 BL, Sanilac Road, and I-75, offering a mixed driving experience. Since there are no recommended overnight stops, you can easily complete this trip within a single day, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. This journey is straightforward and efficient, making it ideal for those seeking a simple and direct route.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

53.9 miles from Lansing, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 BL 38.3 mi 39m
Sanilac Road 25.3 mi 28m
I 75 18.8 mi 20m
East Saginaw Street 7 mi 11m
South Gera Road 4.4 mi 6m
Gera Road 4.2 mi 6m
South Main Street 2.3 mi 5m
Holland Avenue 2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 69 BL — 38.3 mi, about 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Townsend Street

22 ft · 3 sec · Townsend Street
2

Turn right onto West Allegan Street

0.2 mi · 32 sec · West Allegan Street
3

Turn left onto Washington Square South

339 ft · 11 sec · Washington Square South
4

Enter roundabout onto East Michigan Avenue

20 ft · 1 sec · East Michigan Avenue
5

Continue on East Michigan Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Michigan Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Turn left onto I 96 BL

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Larch Street
7

Turn right onto I 69 BL; M 43

1.9 mi · 3 min · East Saginaw Street
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69 BL

5.0 mi · 7 min · East Saginaw Street
9

Continue on I 69 BL

0.7 mi · 1 min · Saginaw Highway
10

Take the ramp onto I 69 BL

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 69 BL
11

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 BL

38 mi · 38 min · I 69 BL
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 North, US 23 North: Saginaw
14

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · this road
Toward I 75 North, US 23 North: Saginaw
15

Merge onto I 75; US 23

19 mi · 20 min · I 75; US 23
16

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 136 Toward M 54, M 83: Birch Run, Frankenmuth
17

Turn right onto M 54; M 83

1.9 mi · 2 min · Birch Run Road
18

Turn left onto M 83

4.2 mi · 6 min · Gera Road
19

Continue on M 83

2.3 mi · 5 min · South Main Street
20

Continue on M 83

4.4 mi · 6 min · South Gera Road
21

Turn right onto M 46

2.0 mi · 2 min · Holland Avenue
22

Continue on M 46

25 mi · 28 min · Sanilac Road
23

Continue on M 46

0.5 mi · 39 sec · State Street
24

Turn left onto Washington Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Washington Street
25

Arrive at destination

Washington Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour duration and 107.7-mile distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day. Consider departing Lansing in the morning to maximize your time in Kingston, or leave later in the day for a relaxed afternoon arrival. With a fuel cost of around $17, keeping your tank topped up won't be a major expense. There are no specified stops, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point or when you feel the need to stretch your legs. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to signage as you transition between I-69 BL and Sanilac Road, as this is where the driving character shifts most noticeably.

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 53.9 miles from Lansing, MI, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 38.3 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 24 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 53.9 miles or 1h 3m 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 48m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingston, 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.

+

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 Lansing, MI

This is one driving day of about 107.7 miles and 2h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Lansing, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 BL for about 38.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flint, MI

54 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.

Popular next leg

Flint, MI to Kingston, MI

56.4 mi · 1h 17m

Pacing Suggestions

Owosso, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flint, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.9 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Durand, Michigan

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 30.8

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19895411550

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

The Hob Nob

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15173726899

Visit website

Blue Owl Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

0.9 mi

Strange Matter Coffee Eastside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

1.7 mi

Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 30.8

Durand, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19895411550

Visit website

The Hob Nob

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15173726899

Visit website

Blue Owl Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15175756836

Visit website

Strange Matter Coffee Eastside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15172245495

Visit website

The Urban Cup

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+15175745617

Hooked

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+15177211330

Visit website

Fireside Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 46.2

Swartz Creek, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18106359196

Visit website

Château Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15175804913

Visit website

Blue Owl Coffee East Lansing

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–5 pm

+15176796959

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 46.2

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Michigan Heroes Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 77

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19896528005

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 46.2

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 7.7

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15178844800

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 66.8 — 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 right onto West Allegan Street

Navigation decision point

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | Washington Square South

Turn left onto Washington Square South

Navigation decision point

7
47 mi into trip | ~54m in

Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
6
47.4 mi into trip | ~55m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North, US 23 North: Saginaw

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75 North, US 23 North: Saginaw
6
66.8 mi into trip | ~1h 17m in

Take the exit toward M 54, M 83: Birch Run, Frankenmuth

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

Exit 136 Toward M 54, M 83: Birch Run, Frankenmuth

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.84 one way

$33.68 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 38 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $18.49 $36.97
premium $4.89 $20.73 $41.45
diesel $5.61 $23.78 $47.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$17

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32.3 0 $11.31 $5.17
Efficient EV 26.9 0 $9.42 $4.31
EV Truck/SUV 43.1 0 $15.08 $6.89

Gas CO2

38 kg

EV CO2

13 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 16, 2026

Origin

Lansing, MI

Late night in Lansing on Sunday

Local time

3:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

W 10 mph 79% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:21PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued April 16 at 1:53PM EDT until April 17 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Destination

Kingston, MI

Late night in Kingston on Sunday

Local time

3:41 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

10 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 11m 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?

The drive features a 53% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster-paced roads, but also encounter more local stretches. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 38.3 miles on I-69 BL, offering a solid period of consistent travel. The profile is described as a 'Mixed drive,' suggesting a blend of interstate cruising and potentially some winding or slower-paced sections as you navigate through various Michigan landscapes. Expect the road to evolve, transitioning from more urban or suburban access roads to open highway and then possibly quieter county roads.

53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 38.3 mi on I 69 BL.

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 16 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 107.7 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.2 miles (Washington Square South): Navigation decision point; at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 Kingston, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M 54, M 83: Birch Run and Frankenmuth.

Detroit

47 mi in | ~54m

M 54

66.8 mi in | ~1h 17m

M 83: Birch Run

66.8 mi in | ~1h 17m

Frankenmuth

66.8 mi in | ~1h 17m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 107.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

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

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 38.3 miles on I 69 BL. 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 Kingston, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (West Allegan Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Washington Square South): Navigation decision point; at 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Kingston, 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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