Trip from Ann Arbor, MI to Cedar Springs, MI

Drive Time

2h 47m

Distance

146.4 mi

236 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 37m ★

6 AM

2h 48m

8 AM

3h 10m

10 AM

2h 55m

12 PM

2h 53m

3 PM

2h 57m

5 PM

3h 8m

8 PM

2h 41m

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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Ann Arbor, MI

fish socks

Cedar Springs, MI

Julia Zaporozhchenko

Trip Overview

Connecting Ann Arbor to Cedar Springs, this 146.4-mile journey takes approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You will primarily navigate via I-96, US-23 BUS, and Northland Drive Northeast as you traverse the heart of the Midwest. Budgeting about $22 for fuel covers the trip comfortably, allowing you to focus on the transition from the Ann Arbor area to Cedar Springs. Because the travel time is under three hours, you won't need to worry about an overnight split unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a straightforward, highway-focused route that gets you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.

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

73.2 miles from Ann Arbor, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a drive dominated by highway travel, with 85% of your time spent on high-speed roads. The route features a significant 109-mile stretch on I-96, providing a long, uninterrupted segment where you can settle into a steady rhythm. While the highway sections are efficient, the character of the drive shifts slightly as you transition onto Northland Drive Northeast to reach your destination. You will experience a mix of fast-paced interstate driving followed by the transition to local roadways near Cedar Springs. This combination ensures you spend most of your journey moving quickly before finishing with a more relaxed pace.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 109 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 23 BUS. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near US 23 BUS.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 146.4 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 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3.1 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 23 BUS

Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS toward US 23 North: Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward US 23 North: Flint

17.9 mi into trip | ~22m in

Take the exit toward I 96 West: Lansing

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

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 60B Toward I 96 West: Lansing

18.3 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 West: Lansing, Brighton, Spencer Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 96 West: Lansing, Brighton, Spencer Ro...

74.9 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in | I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids

127.8 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Take the exit toward M 44, M 37 South: East Beltline Avenue

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

Use the none / slight right lanes. Exit 38 Toward M 44, M 37 South: East Beltline Avenue

Towns Along This Route

Between Ann Arbor, MI and Cedar Springs, MI, road signs point toward Brighton and M 44.

Brighton

18.3 mi in | ~22m

M 44

127.8 mi in | ~2h 20m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 96	109 mi	1h 56m
US 23 BUS	14.9 mi	16m
Northland Drive Northeast	7.7 mi	10m
East Beltline Avenue Northeast	5.7 mi	7m
Wolverine Boulevard Northeast	4.1 mi	5m
North Main Street	1.2 mi	2m
M 14	1.1 mi	1m
South Main Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 96 — 109 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Cedar Springs, MI.

Start on South State Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · South State Street

Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Huron Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto US 23 BUS

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp onto US 23 BUS

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 23 BUS

Toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit

Merge onto M 14; US 23 BUS

1.1 mi · 1 min · M 14; US 23 BUS

Use the none lane.

Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS

15 mi · 15 min · US 23 BUS

Toward US 23 North: Flint Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec

Exit 60B Toward I 96 West: Lansing Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 96 West: Lansing, Brighton, Spencer Road Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 96 West: Lansing

Merge onto I 96

1.2 mi · 1 min · I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

55 mi · 58 min · I 96

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

53 mi · 56 min · I 96

Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec

Exit 38 Toward M 44, M 37 South: East Beltline Avenue Use the none / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto M 44

5.7 mi · 7 min · East Beltline Avenue Northeast

Use the none lane.

Continue on M 44

1.8 mi · 2 min · Northland Drive Northeast

Use the none lane.

Continue on M 44

4.1 mi · 5 min · Wolverine Boulevard Northeast

Use the none lane.

Continue on Northland Drive Northeast

5.9 mi · 8 min · Northland Drive Northeast

Continue on South Main Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Turn left onto West Cherry Street Northeast

136 ft · 10 sec · West Cherry Street Northeast

Turn left

193 ft · 14 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience without needing an elaborate itinerary. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 146.4-mile drive, keeping in mind that the longest leg is the 109-mile stretch on I-96. Check your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to ensure you stay within your $22 budget and avoid unnecessary detours. Keep a close eye on your GPS as you transition from the major highway system onto Northland Drive Northeast to ensure a smooth arrival in Cedar Springs. Because the duration is under three hours, you can easily manage the entire route in one go while staying refreshed.

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 73.2 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 1h 21m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109 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 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.2 miles or 1h 21m 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 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cedar Springs, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, MI

This is one driving day of about 146.4 miles and 2h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ann Arbor, 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 109 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73.2 mi from Ann Arbor, MI · 1h 21m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chicago, IL

73 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

Evanston, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chicago, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.2 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109 miles.

Arriving in Cedar Springs, MI

The final approach into Cedar Springs, 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 Cedar Springs, MI.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.24 one way

$44.47 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$24.51	$49.03
premium	$4.80	$27.64	$55.27
diesel	$5.64	$32.53	$65.05

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: 51.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	43.9	$15.37	$7.03
Efficient EV	36.6	$12.81	$5.86
EV Truck/SUV	58.6	$20.50	$9.37

Gas CO2

51 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Ann Arbor, MI

Evening in Ann Arbor on Sunday

Local time

5:23 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cedar Springs, MI

Evening in Cedar Springs on Sunday

Local time

5:23 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

2h 47m 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 Ann Arbor, MI to Cedar Springs, MI covers 146.4 miles and takes about 2h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 96, US 23 BUS, Northland Drive Northeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 73.2 miles from Ann Arbor, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.24 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Ann Arbor, MI and Cedar Springs, MI, road signs point toward Brighton and M 44.

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Trip from Ann Arbor, MI to Cedar Springs, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cedar Springs, MI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ann Arbor, MI

Cedar Springs, MI

Same local time

Very similar conditions

2h 47m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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