Origin
Akron, MI
Night in Akron on Tuesday
Local time
10:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Akron, MI to Grand Rapids, MI
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
3h 10m
Distance
147.6 mi
238 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 59m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 34m
10 AM
3h 19m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 20m
5 PM
3h 33m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Akron, MI
fish socks
Grand Rapids, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Akron, MI to Grand Rapids, MI covers 147.6 miles and takes about 3h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on M 46, Howard City Edmore Road Northeast, Gratiot Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 34 miles on M 46. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.42 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.8 miles from Akron, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 37m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 10m drive with frequent turns across 147.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
M 46 is the longest continuous segment at about 34 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
943 ft
605 ft
Total Climb
360 ft
Total Descent
362 ft
Highest Point
943 ft
~94.9 mi in
Elevation Range
339 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 30.3 miles in near M 46 / East Holland Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 147.6 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 30.3 miles (M 46 / East Holland Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 112.4 miles (M 46): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
30.3 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
M 46 / East Holland Avenue
Enter roundabout onto M 46 / East Holland Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
112.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
M 46
Take the exit onto M 46 toward US 131 South: Grand Rapids
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 131 South: Grand Rapids
7
146.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
Take the exit toward I 196 East: Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 86A
Toward I 196 East: Lansing
9
146.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m 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
8
146.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Downtown
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| M 46 | 34 mi | 35m |
| Howard City Edmore Road Northeast | 21 mi | 29m |
| Gratiot Road | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| West Monroe Road | 11 mi | 15m |
| East Monroe Road | 10.4 mi | 14m |
| Holland Avenue | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Howard City Edmore Road | 9.1 mi | 12m |
| North Vassar Road | 8 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
M 46
— 34 mi, about 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Akron, MI and Grand Rapids, MI.
1
Start on Main Street
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Main Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto M 138
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Beach Street
3
Continue on M 138
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Akron Road
4
Turn slight left onto M 138
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Thomas Road
5
Continue on M 138
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
North Main Street
6
Turn right onto M 138
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Center Street
7
Continue on M 138
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Fairgrove Road
8
Turn left onto North Vassar Road
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
North Vassar Road
9
Turn right onto M 46
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West Sanilac Road
10
Continue on M 46
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
Holland Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto M 46
114 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
12
Continue on M 46
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
13
Enter roundabout onto M 46
106 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
14
Continue on M 46
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Holland Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn slight right onto M 46
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Remington Street
16
Turn left onto M 46
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Avenue
17
Continue on M 46
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Williams Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Gratiot Avenue
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on M 46
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Gratiot Road
20
Continue on M 46
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Saginaw Street
21
Continue on M 46
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
North Saginaw Street
22
Continue on M 46
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Gratiot Road
23
Continue on M 46
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Saginaw Street
24
Continue on M 46
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Saginaw Street
25
Continue on M 46
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Gratiot Road
26
Continue on M 46
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
East Monroe Road
27
Continue on M 46
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Saginaw Street
28
Continue on M 46
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
East Monroe Road
29
Continue on M 46
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Washington Street
30
Continue on US 127 BUS; M 46
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Washington Avenue
31
Continue on US 127 BUS; M 46
11 mi
·
15 min
·
West Monroe Road
32
Continue on M 46
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
Northwest Monroe Road
33
Continue on M 46
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Howard City Edmore Road
34
Continue on M 46
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
35
Continue on M 46
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Howard City-Edmore Road
36
Continue on M 46
21 mi
·
29 min
·
Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
37
Continue on M 46
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Edgar Road
38
Take the exit onto M 46
34 mi
·
35 min
·
M 46
Toward US 131 South: Grand Rapids
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Exit 86A
Toward I 196 East: Lansing
Use the slight left lane.
40
Merge onto I 196
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Gerald R Ford Freeway
41
Take the exit
450 ft
·
11 sec
Exit 77C
Toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork
416 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on Ottawa Avenue Northwest
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ottawa Avenue Northwest
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Turn left onto Monroe Center Street Northwest
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Monroe Center Street Northwest
45
Turn right onto Division Avenue North
184 ft
·
10 sec
·
Division Avenue North
46
Turn right onto Fulton Street West
57 ft
·
1 sec
·
Fulton Street West
47
Arrive at destination
Fulton Street West
Trip Plan
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 73.8 miles from Akron, MI, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34 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 80 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.8 miles or 1h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 40m
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 Akron, 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 Akron, MI
This is one driving day of about 147.6 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Akron, 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 M 46 for about 34 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.8 mi from Akron, MI · 1h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.8 miles from Akron, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Grand Rapids, MI
The final approach into Grand Rapids, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Grand Rapids, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.42 one way
$44.84 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $24.71 | $49.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $27.86 | $55.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.79 | $65.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.50 | $7.08 |
| Efficient EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.92 | $5.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59 | 0 | $20.66 | $9.45 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Grand Rapids, MI
Night in Grand Rapids on Tuesday
Local time
10:35 PM
EDT
Current temp
45°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
23 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
3h 10m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Akron, MI to Grand Rapids, MI covers 147.6 miles and takes about 3h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are M 46, Howard City Edmore Road Northeast, Gratiot Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.8 miles from Akron, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.42 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 147.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 30.3 miles (M 46 / East Holland Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 112.4 miles (M 46): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 146.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Akron, MI to Grand Rapids, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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