Origin
Oak Park, MI
Morning in Oak Park on Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Oak Park, 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 11m
Distance
58.3 mi
94 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oak Park, MI
Dominik Gryzbon
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Oak Park to Lansing, expect a straightforward journey covering approximately 53.7 miles. This trip typically takes about 1 hour and 1 minute, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via Oak Street, West Michigan Avenue, and South Washington Avenue rather than major interstate highways. With a fuel budget of roughly $8, it is a highly economical route for those looking to travel across the Midwest region. Since the drive is short, you have plenty of flexibility to head out and return on your own schedule without feeling rushed.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 35.5 mi | 38m |
| East Michigan Avenue | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| I 496 | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| West Michigan Avenue | 4 mi | 7m |
| I 94 | 3.6 mi | 3m |
| West Hamblin Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Walnut Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Oak Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 35.5 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Oak Park, MI and Lansing, MI.
1
Start on Wellington Avenue
36 ft
·
7 sec
·
Wellington Avenue
2
Turn left onto Oak Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Oak Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto M 89
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
West Michigan Avenue
4
Turn right onto M 89
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Washington Avenue
5
Turn left onto West Hamblin Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Hamblin Avenue
6
Continue on I 94 BL
352 ft
·
8 sec
·
Hamblin Street
7
Turn right onto I 94 BL
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Michigan Avenue
8
Turn right onto I 94 BL
55 ft
·
4 sec
·
I 94 BL
9
Continue on I 94 BL; M 96
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
East Columbia Avenue
10
Merge onto I 94 BL; M 96
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
East Michigan Avenue
11
Turn sharp left onto I 94 BL; M 311
349 ft
·
6 sec
·
11 Mile Road
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
13
Merge onto I 94
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
I 94
14
Take the exit onto I 94 BL
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 94 BL
Toward I 69: Fort Wayne, Lansing
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 69 North: Lansing
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 69 North
18
Merge onto I 69
35 mi
·
38 min
·
I 69
19
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 95
Toward I 496: Downtown Lansing
20
Continue on I 496
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
I 496
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 6
Toward Downtown
22
Turn straight onto West Malcolm X Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Malcolm X Street
23
Turn left onto South Walnut Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Walnut Street
24
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
412 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Allegan Street
25
Turn right onto Townsend Street
22 ft
·
1 sec
·
Townsend Street
26
Arrive at destination
Townsend Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Oak Park, 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 10.7 and 15.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road
Turn sharp left onto I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
10.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East: Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
5
14.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 94 BL
Take the exit onto I 94 BL toward I 69: Fort Wayne, Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69: Fort Wayne, Lansing
5
15.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 North: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 69 North: Lansing
5
15.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 69 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 69 North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.11 one way
$18.23 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.01 | $20.01 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.22 | $22.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.87 | $25.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.5 | 0 | $6.12 | $2.80 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.10 | $2.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.3 | 0 | $8.16 | $3.73 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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 Sunday
Local time
10:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
2 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
1h 11m 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 turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate experience, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because you will be sticking to local roads, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience that requires your full attention at intersections. There is no single longest stretch of uninterrupted road, so the pace remains consistent and grounded in local traffic patterns. You will notice the drive feels intimate and grounded as you transition between these Michigan communities. It is a practical alternative for drivers who prefer avoiding the monotony of heavy highway traffic in favor of a more direct, localized path.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 35.5 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and East Michigan Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.7 miles in near I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.3 miles you will encounter 19 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 10.7 miles (I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 14.6 miles (I 94 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 11m. Total distance: 58.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 35.5 miles on I 69. 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.
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 10.7 miles (I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 10.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 14.6 miles (I 94 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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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