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Trip from Grand Rapids, MI to Newark, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 12m

Distance

121.4 mi

195 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 3m ★
6 AM
2h 13m
8 AM
2h 31m
10 AM
2h 19m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 20m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 7m

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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city in and seat of Kent County, Michigan, United States

Grand Rapids, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Newark, MI, MI

Newark, MI

Matthis Volquardsen

Trip Overview

The drive from Grand Rapids, MI to Newark, MI covers 121.4 miles and takes about 2h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 69, I 96, I 75 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.5 miles on I 69. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.98 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

60.7 miles from Grand Rapids, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 51.5 mi 52m
I 96 51.1 mi 54m
I 75 8 mi 8m
Gerald R Ford Freeway 3.9 mi 4m
Holly Road 2.4 mi 3m
Division Avenue North 0.4 mi 1m
Belford Road 0.2 mi <1m
Division Avenue Northeast 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 51.5 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids, MI and Newark, MI.

1

Start on Fulton Street West

57 ft · 9 sec · Fulton Street West
2

Turn left onto Division Avenue North

0.4 mi · 1 min · Division Avenue North
Use the left lane.
3

Continue on Division Avenue Northeast

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Division Avenue Northeast
4

Turn left onto Michigan Street Northeast

232 ft · 10 sec · Michigan Street Northeast
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec
Toward I 196 East: Lansing
6

Merge onto I 196

3.9 mi · 4 min · Gerald R Ford Freeway
7

Merge onto I 96

51 mi · 54 min · I 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Take the exit

2.5 mi · 2 min
Exit 89 Toward I 69 East: Flint
9

Merge onto I 69

52 mi · 52 min · I 69
10

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
12

Merge onto I 75; US 23

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 75; US 23
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

6.0 mi · 6 min · I 75
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 108 Toward Holly Road Use the slight right lane.
15

Turn right onto Holly Road

2.4 mi · 3 min · Holly Road
16

Turn left onto Belford Road

0.2 mi · 57 sec · Belford Road
17

Arrive at destination

Belford Road

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 60.7 miles from Grand Rapids, MI, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.5 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 27 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 60.7 miles or 1h 6m 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 46m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Grand Rapids, 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 Grand Rapids, MI

This is one driving day of about 121.4 miles and 2h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Grand Rapids, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 51.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Edgemont Park, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Edgemont Park, MI

61 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

Carlton, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Edgemont Park, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 60.7 miles from Grand Rapids, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Durand, Michigan

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.4

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19895411550

Visit website

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

1.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16169200209

Visit website

Courageous Coffee Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Portland, Michigan

0.6 mi

Lotus Brew Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

1.2 mi

Stomping Grounds Coffee Shop

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 95.4

Durand, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19895411550

Visit website

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

Lantern Coffee Bar and Lounge

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+16169200209

Visit website

Courageous Coffee Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 43.4

Portland, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+15179754213

Visit website

Lotus Brew Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+16164198613

Visit website

Schuil Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16169566815

Visit website

The Bradbury Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

Visit website

Baker's Beanery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 8.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16169573110

Visit website

Fireside Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 104.1

Swartz Creek, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18106359196

Visit website

Sip Coffee & Cocktails

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+16168053517

Visit website

Grand Rapids Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 8.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+16164019441

Visit website

Fish Ladder Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16164563696

Visit website

Camelot Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 8.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16164563232

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 112.8

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 52

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 8.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16169571580

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 112.8

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 69.4

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15178844800

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 118.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Division Avenue North

Turn left onto Division Avenue North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | Michigan Street Northeast

Turn left onto Michigan Street Northeast

Navigation decision point

7
109.7 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in

Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit

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 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
6
110.1 mi into trip | ~1h 57m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit

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

Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
7
118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 6m in

Take the exit toward Holly Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 108 Toward Holly Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$18.98 one way

$37.96 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $20.84 $41.68
premium $4.89 $23.36 $46.72
diesel $5.61 $26.80 $53.61

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 42.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.4 0 $12.75 $5.83
Efficient EV 30.4 0 $10.62 $4.86
EV Truck/SUV 48.6 0 $17.00 $7.77

Gas CO2

42 kg

EV CO2

14 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

Grand Rapids, MI

Afternoon in Grand Rapids on Saturday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Newark, MI

Afternoon in Newark on Saturday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°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

5 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

2h 12m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

121.4 mi in 2h 12m, mostly highway — 51.5 mi of that is on I 69.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.5 mi on I 69.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and I 96. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Division Avenue North.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 121.4 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: near the start (Division Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (Michigan Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 109.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Grand Rapids, MI to Newark, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.

Detroit

109.7 mi in | ~1h 56m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 12m. Total distance: 121.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 51.5 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Newark, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Division Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles (Michigan Street Northeast): Navigation decision point; at 109.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Newark, MI before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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