Grand Ledge Rest Area 825
0 mi from route
Trip from Troy, MI to Sandstone, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
174.9 mi
281 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Troy, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Sandstone, MI
Alfo Medeiros
Trip Overview
Troy, MI to Sandstone, MI is 174.9 miles and takes about 3h 45m via I 96 and US 127, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, single-day trip primarily through the Midwest region of Michigan. Expect a drive that balances highway speeds with some sections on main roads. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is ideal for a quick getaway or a convenient transit day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
87.4 miles from Troy, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 75.5 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 127 | 28.6 mi | 30m |
| Apple Avenue | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| South Warner Avenue | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| North Stone Road | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Comstock Avenue | 7.1 mi | 17m |
| Alpine Avenue Northwest | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| Bailey Road | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 75.5 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-96
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,937 veh/hr typical · worst 2,567
Quietest
2 AM
~135 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Troy, MI and Sandstone, MI.
1
Start on North Dickinson Avenue
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Dickinson Avenue
2
Continue on West 11 Mile Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West 11 Mile Road
3
Turn right onto Comstock Avenue
7.1 mi
·
17 min
·
Comstock Avenue
4
Turn left onto 4 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
4 Mile Road
5
Turn right onto North Green Avenue
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Green Avenue
6
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Jefferson Street
7
Continue on North Stone Road
7.7 mi
·
11 min
·
North Stone Road
8
Turn left onto M 82
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
9
Turn right onto M 82
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Stewart Avenue
10
Continue on M 82
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
South Warner Avenue
11
Continue on B-35
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Warner Avenue
12
Continue on B-35
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West 118th Street
13
Continue on B-35
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Luce Avenue
14
Continue on B-35
0.5 mi
·
39 sec
·
West 128th Street
15
Turn right onto B-35
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Alger Avenue
16
Continue on B-35
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Squires Road
17
Turn left onto Bailey Road
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Bailey Road
18
Turn right onto M 37
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Newaygo Road
19
Enter roundabout onto M 37; M 46
165 ft
·
1 sec
·
Apple Avenue
20
Continue on M 37; M 46
13 mi
·
17 min
·
Apple Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on M 37
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Alpine Avenue Northwest
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Merge onto I 96; M 37
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
I 96; M 37
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
9.8 mi
·
10 min
·
I 96
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
25
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 106A
Toward US 127 South: Jackson
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto US 127
29 mi
·
30 min
·
US 127
27
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
28
Merge onto I 94
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 94
29
Take the exit onto M 60
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
M 60
Toward M 60, I 94 Business: Spring Arbor, Jackson
30
Take the exit onto I 94 BL
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 94 BL
Toward I 94 BUS: Jackson
31
Continue on I 94 BL
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West Michigan Avenue
32
Turn left onto South Sandstone Road
274 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Sandstone Road
33
Arrive at destination
South Sandstone Road
Trip Plan
For this 3h 45m drive, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Sandstone, MI, with flexibility for an early arrival or a brief stop. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this in a single day, making a mid-morning departure a good option. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially before departing the main highway stretches, as services can be more spaced out on the final leg. Consider packing snacks and drinks to maximize your time on the road, as the longest stretch is over 75 miles.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 87.4 miles from Troy, MI, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.5 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 38 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.4 miles or 2h 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 3h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sandstone, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Troy, 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 Troy, MI
This is one driving day of about 174.9 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Troy, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 75.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
87 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 87.4 miles from Troy, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 75.5 miles.
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.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Holt Rest Area 810
0.1 mi from route
Portland Rest Area 531
0.1 mi from route
Saranac Rest Area 532
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
ONE9 Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Jackson Rest Area 820
0.3 mi from route
Sandstone Rest Area 819
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.1 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 63.5 and 170.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
63.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
63.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
I 96; M 37
Merge onto I 96; M 37
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
129.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
|
I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 East: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
7
139.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
Take the exit toward US 127 South: Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 106A
Toward US 127 South: Jackson
5
170.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
|
M 60
Take the exit onto M 60 toward M 60, I 94 Business: Spring Arbor, Jackson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward M 60, I 94 Business: Spring Arbor, Jacks...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.83 one way
$51.66 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $28.51 | $57.03 |
| premium | $4.72 | $32.47 | $64.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $33.02 | $66.05 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.36 | $8.40 |
| Efficient EV | 43.7 | 0 | $15.30 | $7.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70 | 0 | $24.49 | $11.19 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Origin
Troy, MI
Late night in Troy on Monday
Local time
3:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 2 to 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:37PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Destination
Sandstone, MI
Late night in Sandstone on Monday
Local time
3:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Patchy Smoke
N 2 to 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:37PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids 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
4 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
3h 45m 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 predominantly highway-focused, with 61% of the journey on interstates and major highways. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch of 75.5 miles on I 96, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to US 127 and then Apple Avenue, the character shifts slightly, though it remains a largely efficient route. The road generally maintains a steady feel, making it a predictable and uncomplicated driving experience.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.5 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 127. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63.5 miles in.
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 21 significant decision points across 174.9 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 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.9 miles (I 96; M 37): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.6 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
971 ft
748 ft
Total Climb
365 ft
Total Descent
219 ft
Highest Point
971 ft
~174.9 mi in
Elevation Range
223 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Troy, MI
Full guide →Troy is a city in Michigan and a suburb of Detroit.
Top landmarks
- • Brooks Farm — also known as the William Brooks Farm, historic farmsite in Troy, Michigan, U.S
Arriving in Sandstone, MI
Full guide →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 3h 45m. Total distance: 174.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.5 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Sandstone, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 63.9 miles (I 96; M 37): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.6 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Sandstone, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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