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Trip from Grand Rapids, MI to Springport, MI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 32m

Distance

235.5 mi

379 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 19m ★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 24m

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

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

Grand Rapids, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Springport, MI, MI

Springport, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

The drive from Grand Rapids, MI to Springport, MI covers 235.5 miles and takes about 4h 32m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 131, M 72, South Mount Tom Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.8 miles on US 131. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.82 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

117.8 miles from Grand Rapids, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 32m. Total distance: 235.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (53%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

The drive from Grand Rapids, MI to Springport, MI covers 235.5 miles and takes about 4h 32m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 131 is the longest continuous segment at about 94.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 32m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 131): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.9 miles: Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

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

7
0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 131 North: Cadillac

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward US 131 North: Cadillac
5
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 131

Merge onto US 131

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane.
5
128.9 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in

Take the ramp toward US 127 North: Grayling

Navigation decision point

Toward US 127 North: Grayling
5
151.4 mi into trip | ~2h 47m in | BL I 75

Take the exit onto BL I 75 toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City

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

Toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayl...
6
204.6 mi into trip | ~3h 53m in | M 65; M 72 / Curran Road

Turn right onto M 65; M 72 / Curran Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Grand Rapids, MI and Springport, MI, road signs point toward M 55 East: Lake City, M 72: Downtown Grayling and Traverse City.

M 55 East: Lake City

95.5 mi in | ~1h 37m

M 72: Downtown Grayling

151.4 mi in | ~2h 47m | via BL I 75

Traverse City

151.4 mi in | ~2h 47m | via BL I 75

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 131 94.8 mi 1h 36m
M 72 22.3 mi 27m
South Mount Tom Road 20.5 mi 26m
US 127 18.3 mi 18m
West Houghton Lake Road 17.9 mi 24m
South Down River Road 17.1 mi 19m
State Highway 65 6 mi 7m
Park Road 5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 131 — 94.8 mi, about 1h 36m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Fulton Street West

0.3 mi · 58 sec · Fulton Street West
2

Turn left onto Market Avenue Southwest

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Market Avenue Southwest
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward US 131 North: Cadillac Use the right lane.
4

Merge onto US 131

95 mi · 1 hr 36 min · US 131
Use the slight left lane.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward M 55 East: Lake City
6

Turn right onto M 55

1.5 mi · 2 min · East M-55 Highway
7

Continue on M 55

4.6 mi · 6 min · West Watergate Road
8

Continue on M 55

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Blue Road
9

Turn left onto M 66; M 55

3.5 mi · 4 min · South Morey Road
10

Continue on M 66; M 55

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Lakeshore Drive
11

Continue on M 66; M 55

0.1 mi · 11 sec · South Shore Drive
12

Continue on M 66; M 55

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lake Shore Drive
13

Continue on M 66; M 55

0.5 mi · 50 sec · Main Street
14

Turn right onto M 55

18 mi · 24 min · West Houghton Lake Road
15

Continue on West Lake City Road

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Lake City Road
16

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec
Toward US 127 North: Grayling
17

Merge onto US 127

18 mi · 18 min · US 127
18

Merge onto I 75

3.8 mi · 3 min · I 75
19

Take the exit onto BL I 75

1.0 mi · 2 min · BL I 75
Toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City
20

Turn sharp right onto M 72

0.5 mi · 34 sec · Huron Street
21

Continue on M 72

17 mi · 19 min · South Down River Road
22

Continue on M 72

5.0 mi · 5 min · Park Road
23

Continue on M 72

3.0 mi · 3 min · Cripps Road
24

Continue on M 72

4.5 mi · 5 min · Ryno Road
25

Continue on M 72

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 8th Street
26

Turn left onto M 33; M 72

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Morenci Avenue
27

Continue on M 33; M 72

21 mi · 26 min · South Mount Tom Road
28

Turn right onto M 65; M 72

1.0 mi · 1 min · Curran Road
Use the right lane.
29

Continue on M 65; M 72

6.0 mi · 7 min · State Highway 65
30

Turn left onto M 72

22 mi · 27 min · M 72
31

Turn sharp right onto US 23

1.4 mi · 2 min · South State Street
32

Turn left onto Springport Road

449 ft · 21 sec · Springport Road
33

Turn right onto South Lake Huron Shore Road

0.1 mi · 26 sec · South Lake Huron Shore Road
34

Arrive at destination

South Lake Huron Shore Road

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 117.8 miles from Grand Rapids, MI, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.8 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 52 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 117.8 miles or 2h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springport, 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 235.5 miles and 4h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Grand Rapids, 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 US 131 for about 94.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 117.8 mi from Grand Rapids, MI · 2h 9m into the drive

city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is the county seat of Wexford County

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cadillac, MI

118 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

Howard City, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grayling, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.8 miles from Grand Rapids, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 131 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.8 miles.

Arriving in Springport, MI

The final approach into Springport, 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 Springport, 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

$36.82 one way

$73.64 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $40.42 $80.85
premium $4.89 $45.32 $90.64
diesel $5.61 $52.00 $103.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$37

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 70.6 0 $24.73 $11.30
Efficient EV 58.9 0 $20.61 $9.42
EV Truck/SUV 94.2 1 $32.97 $15.07

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

28 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 Thursday

Local time

12:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Springport, MI

Afternoon in Springport on Thursday

Local time

12:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

35°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

12 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

4h 32m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Grand Rapids, MI to Springport, MI covers 235.5 miles and takes about 4h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 131, M 72, South Mount Tom Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.8 miles from Grand Rapids, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.82 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 32m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 131): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 128.9 miles: Navigation decision point.
Between Grand Rapids, MI and Springport, MI, road signs point toward M 55 East: Lake City, M 72: Downtown Grayling and Traverse City.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Springport, MI to Grand Rapids, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

235.5 mi 4h 33m

Explore more options from Grand Rapids, MI or browse trips ending in Springport, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.

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