Origin
Hazel Park, MI
Afternoon in Hazel Park on Friday
Local time
12:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hazel Park, MI to Lansing, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 32m
Distance
83.2 mi
134 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 26m
★
6 AM
1h 33m
8 AM
1h 47m
10 AM
1h 38m
12 PM
1h 36m
3 PM
1h 38m
5 PM
1h 46m
8 PM
1h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hazel Park, MI
Muhammad Rasyad
Trip Overview
This straightforward 83.2-mile drive from Hazel Park, MI, to Lansing, MI, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 32 minutes. With 97% of the journey on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I-96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, and Ransom E Olds Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $13, making it an economical option for a quick regional hop within the Midwest. You won't need to break this up, so you can enjoy the convenience of a single-day excursion. The overall feel is that of a functional, highway-focused drive connecting two Michigan cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.6 miles from Hazel Park, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 46m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 32m. Total distance: 83.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 97% of the drive utilizing major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 56.8 miles on I-96, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. You'll navigate through sections of the Walter P Reuther Freeway and Ransom E Olds Freeway as well, all contributing to a smooth and efficient journey. This isn't a route known for winding backroads; rather, it's designed for direct travel between your origin and destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.2 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I-75 North to I-696 East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the exit toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 61
Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
7
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I-75 North to I-696 East
Keep slight left at fork onto I-75 North to I-696 East toward I 696 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 696 West: Lansing
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway
Merge onto I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
37.5 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
76.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 106B
Toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 56.8 mi | 1h |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 18 mi | 19m |
| Ransom E Olds Freeway | 5.3 mi | 5m |
| I-75 North to I-696 East | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Walnut Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West 9 Mile Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Allegan Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 56.8 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hazel Park, MI and Lansing, MI.
1
Start on John R Road
411 ft
·
15 sec
·
John R Road
2
Turn right onto West 9 Mile Road
428 ft
·
15 sec
·
West 9 Mile Road
3
Turn right onto North Chrysler Drive
89 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Chrysler Drive
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 75 North
5
Merge onto I 75
0.5 mi
·
31 sec
·
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 61
Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I-75 North to I-696 East
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I-75 North to I-696 East
Toward I 696 West: Lansing
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 696
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 96
18 mi
·
19 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
39 mi
·
41 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 106B
Toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing
12
Merge onto I 496; US 127
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ransom E Olds Freeway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 496
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Ransom E Olds Freeway
Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Exit 6
Toward Downtown
15
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Walnut Street
16
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
412 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Allegan Street
17
Turn right onto Townsend Street
22 ft
·
1 sec
·
Townsend Street
18
Arrive at destination
Townsend Street
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of just over 1.5 hours, this trip offers excellent flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and be in Lansing before lunch, or head out in the afternoon. With no recommended stops, you can choose to make this a quick point-to-point drive or add your own brief breaks as needed. Keep an eye on fuel levels, though with a $13 estimated cost and relatively short distance, you likely won't need to worry about finding a gas station mid-route. A practical tip: since the bulk of the drive is on I-96, ensure you're aware of potential rush hour traffic around the Detroit metropolitan area if you're leaving during peak commuting times.
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 41.6 miles from Hazel Park, MI, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.8 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 18 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.6 miles or 46m 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 17m
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 Hazel Park, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hazel Park, MI
This is one driving day of about 83.2 miles and 1h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Hazel Park, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 56.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.6 mi from Hazel Park, MI · 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 41.6 miles from Hazel Park, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.01 one way
$26.01 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
29 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.28 | $28.56 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.01 | $32.02 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.37 | $36.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25 | 0 | $8.74 | $3.99 |
| Efficient EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.3 | 0 | $11.65 | $5.32 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Lansing, MI
Afternoon in Lansing on Friday
Local time
12:06 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Brighton, MI
42 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
21 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
1h 32m 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 Hazel Park, MI to Lansing, MI covers 83.2 miles and takes about 1h 32m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, Ransom E Olds Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.6 miles from Hazel Park, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.01 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 83.2 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.1 miles (I-75 North to I-696 East): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hazel Park, MI to Lansing, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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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