Origin
Lansing, MI
Late night in Lansing on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lansing, MI to Portland, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
29m
Distance
24.4 mi
39 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 30m
8 AM
0h 35m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 31m
3 PM
0h 32m
5 PM
0h 35m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Portland, MI
Brett Sayles
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transit between Lansing and Portland, Michigan, you are looking at a very manageable 24.4-mile trip. This drive typically takes about 29 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. Navigating primarily via I-96, the Ransom E. Olds Freeway, and I-69, you will find the journey straightforward and efficient. With an estimated fuel cost of just $4, it is an economical way to move between these two Midwestern locations. Because the entire route remains within Michigan, you can expect a familiar landscape throughout the brief transit. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a short excursion, this route offers a reliable, no-fuss connection.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 13.4 mi | 14m |
| Ransom E Olds Freeway | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| I 69 | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| I 496 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| East Grand River Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| South Walnut Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Saint Joseph Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Maple Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 13.4 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing, MI and Portland, 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
13 mi
·
14 min
·
I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 77
Toward Portland
11
Turn right onto East Grand River Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Grand River Avenue
12
Turn left onto Maple Street
477 ft
·
18 sec
·
Maple Street
13
Turn right onto East Bridge Street
83 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Bridge Street
14
Arrive at destination
East Bridge Street
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 24.4 — 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 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...
5
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
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
5
23.1 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward Portland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 77
Toward Portland
5
24.4 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
East Bridge Street
Turn right onto East Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.81 one way
$7.63 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.19 | $8.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.70 | $9.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.39 | $10.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.56 | $1.17 |
| Efficient EV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.14 | $0.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.8 | 0 | $3.42 | $1.56 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Portland, MI
Late night in Portland on Sunday
Local time
3:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°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
4 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
29m 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 highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 90% of this drive is spent on major roadways. You will spend the bulk of your time at highway speeds, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 13.4 miles along I-96. The road profile is functional rather than scenic, designed specifically for rapid point-to-point transit. You won't encounter technical curves or winding local roads here; instead, the trip maintains a steady, consistent pace from start to finish. Behind the wheel, the character of this drive is defined by its predictability and speed, allowing you to reach your destination in under half an hour.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 13.4 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 early in the drive near West Allegan Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 24.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 29m.
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.
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 Portland, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Rapids along the way.
Grand Rapids
5.6 mi in
|
~7m
|
via I 496
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 29m. Total distance: 24.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 13.4 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 Portland, 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Portland, 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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