If you are planning a trip from Carrollton to Lansing, you can expect a manageable 74.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a one-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $11 for fuel should cover your travel costs, making this an economical choice for a quick getaway. You will stay within the Midwest region for the entire trip, traveling between these two Michigan hubs. Since there are no required stops, you have the flexibility to drive straight through or build your own schedule. It is a straightforward, practical connection that links these two areas without the complexity of a multi-day trek.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
37.3 miles from Carrollton, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
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Drive Character
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing local roads with more efficient highway travel. You will spend about 49% of your time on highways, providing a nice contrast to the slower local sections like Sheridan Road and East Road. The most significant portion of the trip is a 27.5-mile stretch on I-69, which allows you to cover ground quickly before returning to more varied road types. Because the drive is relatively short, the transition between these different road personalities is quick and keeps the experience from feeling monotonous. Expect a functional drive that blends the steady pace of the interstate with the more grounded feel of local Michigan routes.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.5 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
888 ft588 ft
Total Climb
316 ft
Total Descent
50 ft
Highest Point
888 ft
~59.1 mi in
Elevation Range
300 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Mapleridge Road.
Route Complexity7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 74.6 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: near the start (Mapleridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 63.6 miles (I 69 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.6 miles (North Howard Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Mapleridge Road
Turn left onto Mapleridge Road
Navigation decision point
6
63.6 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
6
70.6 mi into trip|~1h 33m in|North Howard Avenue
Turn left onto North Howard Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
71.4 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
5
73.8 mi into trip|~1h 38m in
Take the exit toward Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 6
Toward Downtown
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Carrollton, MI to Lansing, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bl I 69: East Lansing along the way.
Bl I 69: East Lansing
63.6 mi in|~1h 21m|via I 69 BL
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 69
27.5 mi
27m
Sheridan Road
14.9 mi
20m
East Road
8.3 mi
11m
I 69 BL
6.8 mi
11m
South Sheridan Road
3.3 mi
4m
South Washington Avenue
2.9 mi
4m
Albee Road
1.9 mi
2m
Ransom E Olds Freeway
1.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 27.5 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, MI and Lansing, MI.
1
Start on Jackson Street
196 ft·13 sec·Jackson Street
2
Turn left onto Mapleridge Road
0.2 mi·45 sec·Mapleridge Road
3
Turn right onto Carrollton Road
1.2 mi·2 min·Carrollton Road
4
Turn right onto Weiss Street
0.3 mi·54 sec·Weiss Street
5
Turn left onto Schaefer Street
0.3 mi·43 sec·Schaefer Street
6
Continue on Hill Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·Hill Street
7
Turn left onto West Genesee Avenue
0.5 mi·49 sec·West Genesee Avenue
8
Continue on Genesee Street
458 ft·9 sec·Genesee Street
9
Continue on East Genesee Avenue
475 ft·13 sec·East Genesee Avenue
10
Turn right onto M 13
2.9 mi·4 min·South Washington Avenue
11
Turn straight onto M 13
0.6 mi·50 sec·East Street
12
Continue on M 13
8.3 mi·11 min·East Road
13
Turn straight onto M 13
1.9 mi·2 min·Albee Road
14
Turn straight onto M 13
15 mi·20 min·Sheridan Road
15
Continue on M 13
1.0 mi·1 min·North Sheridan Avenue
16
Continue on M 13
3.3 mi·4 min·South Sheridan Road
17
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
18
Merge onto I 69
27 mi·27 min·I 69
19
Take the exit onto I 69 BL
6.8 mi·11 min·I 69 BL
Toward BL I 69: East LansingUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto I 69 BL; M 43
0.2 mi·36 sec·East Grand River Avenue
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left onto North Howard Avenue
0.2 mi·27 sec·North Howard Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward US 127 South
23
Merge onto US 127
0.4 mi·26 sec·US 127
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 77Toward I 496 West: Downtown LansingUse the slight right lane.
25
Merge onto I 496
1.9 mi·1 min·Ransom E Olds Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Exit 6Toward Downtown
27
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
0.4 mi·1 min·South Walnut Street
28
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
412 ft·12 sec·West Allegan Street
29
Turn right onto Townsend Street
22 ft·1 sec·Townsend Street
30
Arrive at destination
Townsend Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to leave during off-peak hours if you want to avoid potential congestion, though the 1 hour and 40 minute duration is generally predictable. With no mandatory stops built into the itinerary, you can easily fuel up before you leave Carrollton to ensure you stay within your $11 budget without needing to hunt for gas along the way. Pay close attention to your transitions between the local roads and the I-69 corridor to maintain a consistent flow. Use the lack of required stops to your benefit by planning your own breaks whenever you feel the need to stretch your legs.
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 37.3 miles from Carrollton, MI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.5 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 74.6 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.3 miles or 55m 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 21m
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 Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, MI
This is one driving day of about 74.6 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carrollton, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 27.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.3 mi from Carrollton, MI
· 55m into the drive
The midpoint is around 37.3 miles from Carrollton, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Lansing, 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
$11.66 one way
$23.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg26 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$12.81
$25.61
premium
$4.89
$14.36
$28.71
diesel
$5.61
$16.47
$32.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 65% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.4
0
$7.83
$3.58
Efficient EV
18.7
0
$6.53
$2.98
EV Truck/SUV
29.8
0
$10.44
$4.77
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 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.
Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago
Origin
Carrollton, MI
Late night
in Carrollton on Wednesday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
ESE 6 to 10 mph45% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 3:54PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 1:39PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Destination
Lansing, MI
Late night
in Lansing on Wednesday
Local time
3:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Rain Showers Likely
SE 6 to 12 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 3:54PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 11 at 1:39PM EDT until April 15 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette 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
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 40m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carrollton, MI to Lansing, MI covers 74.6 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69, Sheridan Road, East Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.3 miles from Carrollton, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.66 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 is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 74.6 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: near the start (Mapleridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 63.6 miles (I 69 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.6 miles (North Howard Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Carrollton, MI to Lansing, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bl I 69: East Lansing along the way.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 588 ft to 888 ft elevation with about 316 ft of total climbing.
