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Trip from Linden, MI to Grand Rapids, 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

2h 12m

Distance

106.7 mi

172 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 3m ★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m

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 Linden, MI, MI

Linden, MI

fish socks

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

Grand Rapids, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 106.7-mile drive from Linden to Grand Rapids, Michigan, is easily manageable in just over two hours, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily travel on I-96 and I-69, with a brief portion on Beard Road, offering a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $16, this is an economical option for a quick getaway. The route stays within the Midwest region, making for a familiar drive through Michigan. It’s a simple, direct journey that requires no overnight stops, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

53.4 miles from Linden, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 52.1 mi 55m
Beard Road 19.6 mi 26m
I 69 15.1 mi 15m
Silver Lake Road 8.3 mi 14m
Gerald R Ford Freeway 3.3 mi 3m
Lansing Road 1.5 mi 2m
West Broad Street 0.9 mi 2m
Byron Road 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 52.1 mi, about 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Linden, MI and Grand Rapids, MI.

1

Start on South Bridge Street

111 ft · 12 sec · South Bridge Street
2

Turn left onto West Broad Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · West Broad Street
3

Continue on Silver Lake Road

8.3 mi · 14 min · Silver Lake Road
4

Turn left onto Byron Road

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Byron Road
5

Turn right onto Beard Road

20 mi · 26 min · Beard Road
6

Turn left onto Lansing Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Lansing Road
7

Turn right onto Woodbury Road

0.4 mi · 58 sec · Woodbury Road
Use the straight lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 55 sec
9

Merge onto I 69

7.9 mi · 8 min · I 69
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 25 sec
Toward US 127: Clare, Lansing Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 39 sec
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 39 sec
13

Merge onto I 69

7.2 mi · 7 min · I 69
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Exit 81 Toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
15

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 81 Toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
16

Merge onto I 96

52 mi · 55 min · I 96
Use the slight right lane.
17

Keep slight left at fork onto I 196

3.3 mi · 3 min · Gerald R Ford Freeway
Exit 37 Toward I 196: Downtown Grand Rapids, Holland
18

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 77C Toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown Use the slight right lane.
19

Continue on Ottawa Avenue Northwest

0.4 mi · 1 min · Ottawa Avenue Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Turn left onto Monroe Center Street Northwest

0.2 mi · 31 sec · Monroe Center Street Northwest
21

Turn right onto Division Avenue North

184 ft · 10 sec · Division Avenue North
22

Turn right onto Fulton Street West

57 ft · 1 sec · Fulton Street West
23

Arrive at destination

Fulton Street West

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 2-hour duration, you can easily tackle this route in a single day, leaving whenever suits you best. Consider an early departure to maximize your time in Grand Rapids or a mid-morning start to avoid any potential commuter traffic. With only 106.7 miles and a fuel cost around $16, you won't need frequent fuel stops, but it's always wise to check your gauge before leaving Linden. Keep an eye out for the transition onto Beard Road, as it's a brief but notable change in the road's character before you rejoin the interstates for the remainder of your trip.

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 53.4 miles from Linden, MI, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.1 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 23 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 53.4 miles or 1h 12m 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 Grand Rapids, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Linden, 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 Linden, MI

This is one driving day of about 106.7 miles and 2h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Linden, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 52.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Edgemont Park, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Edgemont Park, MI

53 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

Haslett, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grand Ledge, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.4 miles from Linden, 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

Best coffee break · home stretch

Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16169200209

Visit website

Lotus Brew Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

1.2 mi

The Bradbury Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

1 mi

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16169200209

Visit website

Lotus Brew Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16164198613

Visit website

The Bradbury Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

Visit website

Schuil Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16169566815

Visit website

Courageous Coffee Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Portland, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+15179754213

Visit website

Baker's Beanery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16169573110

Visit website

Sip Coffee & Cocktails

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

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

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16168053517

Visit website

North End Coffee Cafe Bake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Fenton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+18102080665

Visit website

Fish Ladder Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16164563696

Visit website

Grand Rapids Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+16164019441

Visit website

Camelot Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16164563232

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Fenton, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18102151088

Visit website

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16169571580

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

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 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 31.1 and 105.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
31.1 mi into trip | ~47m in | Woodbury Road

Turn right onto Woodbury Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
39.8 mi into trip | ~57m in

Take the exit toward US 127: Clare, Lansing

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 US 127: Clare, Lansing
6
48.8 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 81 Toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
7
102.3 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway toward I 196: Downtown Grand Rapids, Holland

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

Exit 37 Toward I 196: Downtown Grand Rapids, Holland
8
105.6 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 77C Toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.68 one way

$33.36 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $18.32 $36.63
premium $4.89 $20.53 $41.07
diesel $5.61 $23.56 $47.12

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: 37.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32 0 $11.20 $5.12
Efficient EV 26.7 0 $9.34 $4.27
EV Truck/SUV 42.7 0 $14.94 $6.83

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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

Linden, MI

Morning in Linden on Tuesday

Local time

8:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Grand Rapids, MI

Morning in Grand Rapids on Tuesday

Local time

8:15 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°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

3 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 12m 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 drive, with 66% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I-96 and I-69. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 52.1 miles on I-96, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. While much of the route is on faster roads, there's a segment on Beard Road that might offer a slight shift in scenery before rejoining the interstate system. This profile suggests a drive where efficiency is key, with minimal complex road navigation.

66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.1 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Beard Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.1 miles in near Woodbury Road.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 106.7 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 31.1 miles (Woodbury Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

891 ft 639 ft

Total Climb

160 ft

Total Descent

395 ft

Highest Point

891 ft

~22.9 mi in

Elevation Range

252 ft

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 Linden, MI to Grand Rapids, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Lansing along the way.

Lansing

39.8 mi in | ~57m

About the Cities

Arriving in Grand Rapids, MI

Full guide →

Not to be confused with Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Grand Rapids is in West Michigan, in the United States. Grand Rapids is the second largest city in Michigan with a population of just under 200,000 in the city limits (2018), and nearly 570,000 in the surrounding county (2010). The federal West Michigan metropolitan area, which includes Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Holland (and some intervening farmland), has 1.4 million people (2010).

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 12m. Total distance: 106.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 52.1 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 Grand Rapids, 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 31.1 miles (Woodbury Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Grand Rapids, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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