Origin
Lee, MI
Morning in Lee on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lee, MI to Lansing, 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
2h 18m
Distance
117.9 mi
190 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 9m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lee, MI
Dang vu hai
Trip Overview
Lee, MI to Lansing, MI is 117.9 miles and takes about 2h 18m via I 96, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. You'll mainly be on highways, making for a straightforward journey between these two points. Given the relatively short duration, this is an easy one-day trip, perfect for a quick transfer or an exploration of Michigan's capital.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.9 miles from Lee, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 43.2 mi | 46m |
| Gerald R Ford Freeway | 29.8 mi | 31m |
| Paul B. Henry Freeway | 18.4 mi | 19m |
| 56th Street | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| West Grand River Avenue | 5.7 mi | 8m |
| 118th Avenue | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| 66th Street | 3 mi | 4m |
| North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 43.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lee, MI and Lansing, MI.
1
Start on 56th Street
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
56th Street
2
Turn left onto 118th Avenue
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
118th Avenue
3
Turn right onto 66th Street
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
66th Street
4
Turn left onto M 89
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
124th Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
6
Merge onto I 196; US 31
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Gerald R Ford Freeway
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 196
20 mi
·
20 min
·
Gerald R Ford Freeway
Toward I 196: Grand Rapids
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 64
Toward M 6 East: Lansing
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on M 6
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Paul B. Henry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I-96 East: Lansing
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 96
43 mi
·
46 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto I 96 BL
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 96 BL
Exit 90
Toward BL I 96: Grand River Ave
13
Turn left onto I 96 BL
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
West Grand River Avenue
14
Turn right onto North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
15
Continue on North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
16
Continue on North Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
North Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
17
Turn left onto CL
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Allegan Street
18
Turn right onto Townsend Street
22 ft
·
1 sec
·
Townsend Street
19
Arrive at destination
Townsend Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time under 2.5 hours, this is a very manageable same-day trip. You could leave anytime in the morning or afternoon and still have plenty of daylight. Given the short distance, you don't need to worry about splitting the drive; however, it's always wise to be aware of your fuel gauge. The longest stretch without a major exit is 43.2 miles on I 96, so ensure you have at least a half-tank before embarking on that segment to avoid any unnecessary stops. Keep an eye on traffic as you approach Lansing, especially during peak commuting hours.
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 58.9 miles from Lee, MI, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.2 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 26 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.9 miles or 1h 8m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lansing, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lee, 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 Lee, MI
This is one driving day of about 117.9 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Lee, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 43.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.9 miles from Lee, 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 145 decision points cluster between mile 26.5 and 109.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
26.5 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway toward I 196: Grand Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 196: Grand Rapids
7
46.1 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the exit toward M 6 East: Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 64
Toward M 6 East: Lansing
7
65.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-96 East: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-96 East: Lansing
5
66 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
|
I 96
Merge onto I 96
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
109.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 2m in
|
I 96 BL
Take the exit onto I 96 BL toward BL I 96: Grand River Ave
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 90
Toward BL I 96: Grand River Ave
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.43 one way
$36.86 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.24 | $40.48 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.69 | $45.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.03 | $52.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.4 | 0 | $12.38 | $5.66 |
| Efficient EV | 29.5 | 0 | $10.32 | $4.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.2 | 0 | $16.51 | $7.55 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Lansing, MI
Morning in Lansing on Tuesday
Local time
8:21 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 14 mph
88% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Watch
Tornado Watch issued April 17 at 10:44PM EDT until April 18 at 3:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:36PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 18m 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?
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 78% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 96, Gerald R. Ford Freeway, and Paul B. Henry Freeway. Expect a consistent, high-speed experience for most of the 117.9 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 43.2 miles on I 96, offering a solid period of cruising. While primarily a highway profile, the approach into Lansing will naturally involve more freeway transitions and potential traffic.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.2 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Gerald R Ford Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.5 miles in near I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 117.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 26.5 miles (I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles: 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.
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 Lee, MI to Lansing, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 6 East: Lansing along the way.
M 6 East: Lansing
46.1 mi in
|
~54m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 2h 18m. Total distance: 117.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.2 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 Lansing, 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: at 26.5 miles (I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 65.3 miles: 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 Lansing, 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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