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Trip from Grand Rapids, MI to Suttons Bay, MI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

3h 4m

Distance

158 mi

254 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 11m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m

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 Suttons Bay, MI, MI

Suttons Bay, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

The drive from Grand Rapids, MI to Suttons Bay, MI covers 158 miles and takes about 3h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 131, South West Bay Shore Drive, East M 113 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.4 miles on US 131. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.70 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

79 miles from Grand Rapids, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 158 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 3h 4m highway drive covering 158 miles, with most of the trip on US 131 and South West Bay Shore Drive. The longest continuous stretch is about 115.4 miles on US 131.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 115.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 131 and South West Bay Shore Drive. 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 3h 4m drive. You will face about 12 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 128.2 miles (CR 611 / South Garfield Road): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 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
128.2 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | CR 611 / South Garfield Road

At end of road, turn right onto CR 611 / South Garfield Road

Navigation decision point

5
140 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | East Eighth Street

Turn left onto East Eighth Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
141.4 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | South Union Street

Turn right onto South Union Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 131 115.4 mi 1h 58m
South West Bay Shore Drive 14.8 mi 21m
East M 113 8.7 mi 11m
South Garfield Road 6.7 mi 9m
North Garfield Road 3.5 mi 5m
Voice Road 2 mi 3m
South Garfield Avenue 1.8 mi 3m
Clark Road 1.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 131 — 115.4 mi, about 1h 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids, MI and Suttons Bay, 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

115 mi · 1 hr 58 min · US 131
Use the slight left lane.
5

Turn left onto M 113

8.7 mi · 11 min · East M 113
6

Turn right onto Clark Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Clark Road
7

Continue on Voice Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · Voice Road
8

At end of road, turn right onto CR 611

6.7 mi · 9 min · South Garfield Road
9

Enter roundabout onto CR 611

79 ft · 4 sec · North Garfield Road
10

Continue on CR 611

3.5 mi · 5 min · North Garfield Road
11

Continue on CR 611

1.8 mi · 3 min · South Garfield Avenue
12

Turn left onto East Eighth Street

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Eighth Street
Use the left lane.
13

Turn right onto South Union Street

0.4 mi · 57 sec · South Union Street
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto US 31; M 37; M 72

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Grandview Parkway
Use the left lane.
15

Continue on M 22

15 mi · 21 min · South West Bay Shore Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
16

Continue on M 22

442 ft · 14 sec · North Saint Josephs Avenue
17

Turn right onto East Madison Street

166 ft · 10 sec · East Madison Street
18

Turn left onto North Front Street

339 ft · 14 sec · North Front Street
19

Arrive at destination

North Front Street

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 79 miles from Grand Rapids, MI, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.4 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 35 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79 miles or 1h 22m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suttons Bay, 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 158 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 115.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 79 mi from Grand Rapids, MI · 1h 22m into the drive

Downtown Mayfield, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mayfield, MI

79 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

Cedar Springs, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Rapids, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79 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 115.4 miles.

Arriving in Suttons Bay, MI

The final approach into Suttons Bay, 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 Suttons Bay, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Near the start, short detour

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

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

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

Hive Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Suttons Bay, Michigan

0 mi

Lotus Brew Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

1.2 mi

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

Factory Man Roasting House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 135.5

Traverse City, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12314992122

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

Hive Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 158

Suttons Bay, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12318664406

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

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

MoJo's Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 124.2

Kingsley, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+12316334495

Visit website

The Backroom @ Toppings

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.4

Big Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+12315989438

Visit website

Belle's Coffeehouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.4

Big Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12312870332

Visit website

Quickwater Coffee Roasters | Rockford

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 11.3

Rockford, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+16162551125

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

Pinball Land

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 11.3

Rockford, Michigan

Hours: 2–8 pm

Visit website

World's Largest Cherry Pie Pan

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 135.5

Traverse City, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+12319470692

Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 135.5

Traverse City, Michigan

+12319225270

Visit website

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16169571580

Visit website

Great Lakes Children's Museum

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 135.5

Traverse City, Michigan

Hours: 9:30 am–4:30 pm

+12319324526

Visit website

Grand Traverse County Civic Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 135.5

Traverse City, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–8 pm

+12319224818

Visit website

Dennos Museum Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 135.5

Traverse City, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+12319951055

Visit website

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

National Lakeshore

Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacula...

19 mi from route ~47 min detour $25 near mile 158
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.70 one way

$49.40 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.12 $54.24
premium $4.89 $30.41 $60.81
diesel $5.61 $34.88 $69.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.4 0 $16.59 $7.58
Efficient EV 39.5 0 $13.83 $6.32
EV Truck/SUV 63.2 0 $22.12 $10.11

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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

Evening in Grand Rapids on Thursday

Local time

6:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Suttons Bay, MI

Evening in Suttons Bay on Thursday

Local time

6:08 PM

EDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

41°F

Mayfield, MI

79 mi in

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

11 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

3h 4m 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 Grand Rapids, MI to Suttons Bay, MI covers 158 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 131, South West Bay Shore Drive, East M 113. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79 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 $24.70 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 4m drive. You will face about 12 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 128.2 miles (CR 611 / South Garfield Road): Navigation decision point.
The route from Grand Rapids, MI to Suttons Bay, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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