Origin
Lansing, MI
Morning in Lansing on Tuesday
Local time
6:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lansing, MI to Lake Orion, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
85.7 mi
138 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 45m
8 AM
2h 1m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 49m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
2h 0m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Orion, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lansing to Lake Orion is 85.7 miles and takes about 1h 45m via I 69 BL and I 75, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Michigan, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a simple choice for a quick trip. You'll find it easy to navigate and get to your destination without much fuss. Plan for a smooth ride with minimal complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
42.8 miles from Lansing, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 BL | 38.3 mi | 39m |
| I 75 | 27.2 mi | 29m |
| East Saginaw Street | 7 mi | 11m |
| Clarkston Road | 4 mi | 6m |
| West Clarkston Road | 3.9 mi | 6m |
| Sashabaw Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Lapeer Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Saginaw Highway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 69 BL
— 38.3 mi, about 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing, MI and Lake Orion, 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 right at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
14
Merge onto I 75; US 23
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 75; US 23
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
25 mi
·
27 min
·
I 75
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 89
Toward Sashabaw Road
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn left onto Sashabaw Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Sashabaw Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Clarkston Road
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Clarkston Road
19
Enter roundabout onto West Clarkston Road
110 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Clarkston Road
20
Continue on West Clarkston Road
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clarkston Road
21
Turn left onto Parkview Boulevard
289 ft
·
19 sec
·
Parkview Boulevard
22
Turn left
161 ft
·
13 sec
23
At end of road, turn right onto M 24
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lapeer Road
24
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Broadway Street
25
Arrive at destination
South Broadway Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1h 45m duration, this trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by late morning, or head out in the afternoon. The $13 fuel cost suggests efficient travel, so you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling stops. The longest stretch is 38.3 miles on I 69 BL, so keep an eye on your fuel level before starting that segment. Since it's a same-day trip, aim to leave when traffic is lightest to make the most of your time.
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 42.8 miles from Lansing, MI, or about 50m 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.8 miles or 50m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lake Orion, 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 85.7 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 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
43 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
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 75.4 — 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
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 right at fork toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
7
75 mi into trip
|
~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward Sashabaw Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 89
Toward Sashabaw Road
6
75.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
Sashabaw Road
Turn left onto Sashabaw Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.40 one way
$26.80 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.71 | $29.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.49 | $32.98 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.92 | $37.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.7 | 0 | $9.00 | $4.11 |
| Efficient EV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.50 | $3.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.3 | 0 | $12.00 | $5.48 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Destination
Lake Orion, MI
Morning in Lake Orion on Tuesday
Local time
6:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°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
19 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 45m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 76% of the 85.7 miles on high-speed roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 38.3 miles on I 69 BL before merging onto I 75. Expect to encounter numerous exits as you transition between these main arteries. The final portion of the trip will likely involve navigating more local surface streets as you approach Lake Orion.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 BL and I 75. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.7 miles you will encounter 20 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 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
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 Lansing, MI to Lake Orion, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
Detroit
47 mi in
|
~54m
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 45m. Total distance: 85.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). 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 Lake Orion, 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 47 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 47.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lake Orion, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lake Orion, MI
More trips to Lake Orion, MI
Explore more options from Lansing, MI or browse trips ending in Lake Orion, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.