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Trip from Auburn Hills, MI to Lansing, MI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

1h 39m

Distance

85.7 mi

138 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 32m ★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 45m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 54m
8 PM
1h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Auburn Hills, MI, MI

Auburn Hills, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

The drive from Auburn Hills, MI to Lansing, MI covers 85.7 miles and takes about 1h 39m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Chevrolet-Buick Freeway, I 75, I 69 BL for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 37.2 miles on Chevrolet-Buick Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.40 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

42.8 miles from Auburn Hills, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 85.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 1h 39m highway drive covering 85.7 miles, with most of the trip on Chevrolet-Buick Freeway and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 37.2 miles on Chevrolet-Buick Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 37.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Chevrolet-Buick Freeway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 75 BL.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.7 miles you will encounter 21 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 0.7 miles (I 75 BL): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 75 BL

Take the ramp onto I 75 BL toward I 75: Flint, Detroit

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 75: Flint, Detroit
7
35.9 mi into trip | ~40m in

Take the exit toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
7
36.2 mi into trip | ~41m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
6
74.6 mi into trip | ~1h 21m 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
7
82.4 mi into trip | ~1h 34m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Auburn Hills, MI and Lansing, MI, road signs point toward Port Huron, Flint and Bl I 69: East Lansing.

Port Huron

35.9 mi in | ~40m

Flint

36.2 mi in | ~41m

Bl I 69: East Lansing

74.6 mi in | ~1h 21m | via I 69 BL

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway 37.2 mi 37m
I 75 34.3 mi 36m
I 69 BL 6.8 mi 11m
Ransom E Olds Freeway 1.9 mi 1m
I 75 BL 0.7 mi 1m
South Walnut Street 0.4 mi 1m
US 127 0.4 mi <1m
Shimmons Road 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Chevrolet-Buick Freeway — 37.2 mi, about 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Auburn Hills, MI and Lansing, MI.

1

Start on Shimmons Road

0.3 mi · 1 min · Shimmons Road
2

Continue

280 ft · 16 sec
3

Turn right onto I 75 BL

0.3 mi · 30 sec · South Lapeer Road
4

Take the ramp onto I 75 BL

0.7 mi · 1 min · I 75 BL
Toward I 75: Flint, Detroit Use the slight right lane.
5

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 75 North: Flint
6

Merge onto I 75

29 mi · 31 min · I 75
7

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

4.9 mi · 5 min · I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
10

Keep slight left at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min
Toward I 69 West: Lansing
11

Merge onto I 69

37 mi · 37 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
12

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.
13

Turn straight onto I 69 BL; M 43

0.2 mi · 36 sec · East Grand River Avenue
Use the left lane.
14

Turn left onto North Howard Avenue

0.2 mi · 27 sec · North Howard Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
15

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 127 South
16

Merge onto US 127

0.4 mi · 26 sec · US 127
17

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 77 Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto I 496

1.9 mi · 1 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 6 Toward Downtown
20

Turn right onto South Walnut Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · South Walnut Street
21

Turn right onto West Allegan Street

412 ft · 12 sec · West Allegan Street
22

Turn right onto Townsend Street

22 ft · 1 sec · Townsend Street
23

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 42.8 miles from Auburn Hills, MI, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37.2 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 19 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.8 miles or 49m 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 19m

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 Auburn Hills, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Auburn Hills, MI

This is one driving day of about 85.7 miles and 1h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Auburn Hills, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Chevrolet-Buick Freeway for about 37.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 42.8 mi from Auburn Hills, MI · 49m into the drive

city in Michigan, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corunna, MI

43 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.

Popular next leg

Corunna, MI to Lansing, MI

35.7 mi · 47m

Pacing Suggestions

Springfield, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Flint, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.8 miles from Auburn Hills, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lansing, MI

The final approach into Lansing, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.40 one way

$26.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $14.71 $29.42
premium $4.89 $16.49 $32.98
diesel $5.61 $18.92 $37.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 25.7 0 $9.00 $4.11
Efficient EV 21.4 0 $7.50 $3.43
EV Truck/SUV 34.3 0 $12.00 $5.48

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Auburn Hills, MI

Afternoon in Auburn Hills on Thursday

Local time

1:37 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lansing, MI

Afternoon in Lansing on Thursday

Local time

1:37 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

1 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 39m 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 Auburn Hills, MI to Lansing, MI covers 85.7 miles and takes about 1h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Chevrolet-Buick Freeway, I 75, I 69 BL. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.8 miles from Auburn Hills, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.40 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.7 miles you will encounter 21 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 75 BL): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Auburn Hills, MI and Lansing, MI, road signs point toward Port Huron, Flint and Bl I 69: East Lansing.

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