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Trip from North Branch, MI to Lansing, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 50m

Distance

90.6 mi

146 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 43m ★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 57m
5 PM
2h 6m
8 PM
1h 46m

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 North Branch, MI, MI

North Branch, MI

Tom Fisk

Trip Overview

The drive from North Branch, MI to Lansing, MI covers 90.6 miles and takes about 1h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 69, North Lapeer Road, I 69 BL for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.7 miles on I 69. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.16 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

45.3 miles from North Branch, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 59.7 mi 1h 1m
North Lapeer Road 10.8 mi 16m
I 69 BL 6.8 mi 11m
North Branch Road 5.8 mi 8m
North Main Street 2.1 mi 4m
Ransom E Olds Freeway 1.9 mi 1m
South Lapeer Road 0.6 mi <1m
South Walnut Street 0.4 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 59.7 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on M 90

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Huron Street
2

Continue on M 90

5.8 mi · 8 min · North Branch Road
3

Turn left onto M 24

11 mi · 16 min · North Lapeer Road
4

Continue on M 24

2.1 mi · 4 min · North Main Street
5

Continue on M 24

0.6 mi · 54 sec · South Lapeer Road
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 69 West: Flint Use the slight right lane.
7

Merge onto I 69

60 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 69
8

Take the exit onto I 69 BL

6.8 mi · 11 min · I 69 BL
Toward BL I 69: East Lansing Use the slight right lane.
9

Turn straight onto I 69 BL; M 43

0.2 mi · 36 sec · East Grand River Avenue
Use the left lane.
10

Turn left onto North Howard Avenue

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Howard Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
11

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 127 South
12

Merge onto US 127

0.4 mi · 26 sec · US 127
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 77 Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 496

1.9 mi · 1 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 6 Toward Downtown
16

Turn right onto South Walnut Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Walnut Street
17

Turn right onto West Allegan Street

412 ft · 12 sec · West Allegan Street
18

Turn right onto Townsend Street

22 ft · 1 sec · Townsend Street
19

Arrive at destination

Townsend Street

Trip Plan

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 45.3 miles from North Branch, MI, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.7 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 20 miles or 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 45.3 miles or 57m 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 26m

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 North Branch, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from North Branch, MI

This is one driving day of about 90.6 miles and 1h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from North Branch, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 59.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flint, MI

45 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

Lapeer, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flint, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 45.3 miles from North Branch, 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

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 58.2

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19895411550

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

The Hob Nob

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 90.6

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15173726899

Visit website

Blue Owl Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

0.9 mi

Moka & Co

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

East Lansing, Michigan

1.2 mi

Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 58.2

Durand, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19895411550

Visit website

The Hob Nob

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 90.6

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15173726899

Visit website

Blue Owl Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.6

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15175756836

Visit website

Moka & Co

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 84.1

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15176790533

Visit website

Fireside Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.3

Swartz Creek, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18106359196

Visit website

Foster Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 84.1

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15176790303

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 84.1

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–9 pm

+15176577034

Visit website

Strange Matter Coffee Eastside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.6

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15172245495

Visit website

Poindexter Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 84.1

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+15173480900

Visit website

Woodbury Rest Area 830

0.2 mi from route

Swartz Creek Rest Area 627

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

1 mi from route

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 38.8

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 38.8

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 84.1

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15178844800

Visit website

For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 32.4

Burton, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+18107367100

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 45.3

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 19.5 and 89.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
19.5 mi into trip | ~30m in

Take the ramp toward I 69 West: Flint

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 69 West: Flint
6
79.6 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in | I 69 BL

Take the exit onto I 69 BL toward BL I 69: East Lansing

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward BL I 69: East Lansing
6
86.5 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | North Howard Avenue

Turn left onto North Howard Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
7
87.3 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in

Take the exit toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 77 Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing
5
89.8 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 6 Toward Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.16 one way

$28.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 32 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $15.55 $31.10
premium $4.89 $17.44 $34.87
diesel $5.61 $20.00 $40.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 27.2 0 $9.51 $4.35
Efficient EV 22.7 0 $7.93 $3.62
EV Truck/SUV 36.2 0 $12.68 $5.80

Gas CO2

32 kg

EV CO2

11 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

North Branch, MI

Evening in North Branch on Sunday

Local time

6:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lansing, MI

Evening in Lansing on Sunday

Local time

6:04 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

14 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 50m 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?

90.6 mi in 1h 50m, mostly highway — 59.7 mi of that is on I 69.

76% 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: 59.7 mi on I 69.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and North Lapeer Road. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 19.5 miles in.

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 90.6 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 19.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 79.6 miles (I 69 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.5 miles (North Howard Avenue): 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.

On the drive from North Branch, MI to Lansing, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bl I 69: East Lansing along the way.

Bl I 69: East Lansing

79.6 mi in | ~1h 32m | via I 69 BL

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 50m. Total distance: 90.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 50m 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 59.7 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 4 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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.

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: at 19.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 79.6 miles (I 69 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.5 miles (North Howard Avenue): 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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