Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
44m
Distance
38.3 mi
62 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Rapids, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Muskegon Heights, MI
fish socks
The drive from Grand Rapids, MI to Muskegon Heights, MI covers 38.3 miles and takes about 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 96, US 131, South Getty Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 31.7 miles on I 96. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.99 one way before food or hotel costs.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 44m. Total distance: 38.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 44m highway drive covering 38.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 96 and US 131. The longest continuous stretch is about 31.7 miles on I 96.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
179 ft
Total Descent
191 ft
Highest Point
787 ft
~5.5 mi in
Elevation Range
169 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 131. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 9 decision points packed into just 38.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 44m.
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 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward US 131 North: Cadillac
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 131
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 96, M 37: Muskegon, Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96: Muskegon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Grand Rapids, MI and Muskegon Heights, MI, road signs point toward M 37: Muskegon and Lansing.
M 37: Muskegon
Lansing
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 31.7 mi | 34m |
| US 131 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| South Getty Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East Broadway Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Fulton Street West | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Market Avenue Southwest | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids, MI and Muskegon Heights, MI.
Start on Fulton Street West
Turn left onto Market Avenue Southwest
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 131
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 96
Turn right onto South Getty Street
Turn left onto East Broadway Avenue
Arrive at destination
Regular Gas
$5.99 one way
$11.98 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.57 | $13.15 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.37 | $14.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.46 | $16.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.02 | $1.84 |
| Efficient EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.35 | $1.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.36 | $2.45 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Grand Rapids on Saturday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Muskegon Heights on Saturday
Local time
12:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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