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Trip from Kent City, MI to Lansing, MI

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

Drive Time

1h 40m

Distance

83.1 mi

134 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

28 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 33m ★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m

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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Downtown Kent City, MI, MI

Kent City, MI

Emre

Trip Overview

The drive from Kent City, MI to Lansing, MI covers 83.1 miles and takes about 1h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 96, M-37, West Grand River Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 58.9 miles on I 96. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.99 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

41.5 miles from Kent City, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 58.9 mi 1h 3m
M-37 8.7 mi 11m
West Grand River Avenue 5.7 mi 8m
Alpine Avenue Northwest 5.2 mi 7m
North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard 1.6 mi 3m
South Ball Creek Road 0.6 mi 1m
West Allegan Street 0.6 mi 1m
Phelps Avenue Northwest 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 58.9 mi, about 1h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kent City, MI and Lansing, MI.

1

Start on North Main Street

0.2 mi · 36 sec · North Main Street
2

Turn left onto South Ball Creek Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Ball Creek Road
3

Turn right onto Phelps Avenue Northwest

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Phelps Avenue Northwest
4

Turn left onto M 37

8.7 mi · 11 min · M-37
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on M 37

5.2 mi · 7 min · Alpine Avenue Northwest
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Use the left lane.
7

Merge onto I 96; M 37

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 96; M 37
Use the straight / right lanes.
8

Take the exit onto I 96 BL

0.4 mi · 48 sec · I 96 BL
Exit 90 Toward BL I 96: Grand River Ave
9

Turn left onto I 96 BL

5.7 mi · 8 min · West Grand River Avenue
10

Turn right onto North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
11

Continue on North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
12

Continue on North Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

0.3 mi · 39 sec · North Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
13

Turn left onto CL

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Allegan Street
14

Turn right onto Townsend Street

22 ft · 1 sec · Townsend Street
15

Arrive at destination

Townsend Street

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 41.5 miles from Kent City, MI, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.9 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 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41.5 miles or 50m 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 21m

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 Kent City, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Kent City, MI

This is one driving day of about 83.1 miles and 1h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Kent City, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 58.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Forest Hills, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Forest Hills, MI

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

Grand Rapids, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Forest Hills, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.5 miles from Kent City, 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

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.7

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

The Hob Nob

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 83.1

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15173726899

Visit website

Blue Owl Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

0.9 mi

Strange Matter Coffee Eastside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

1.7 mi

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 23.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

The Hob Nob

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 83.1

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+15173726899

Visit website

Blue Owl Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.1

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+15175756836

Visit website

Strange Matter Coffee Eastside

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.1

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+15172245495

Visit website

Koffee Haus

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.9

Sparta, MI

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16162055248

Visit website

Courageous Coffee Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 59.3

Portland, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+15179754213

Visit website

The Urban Cup

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 83.1

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+15175745617

Hooked

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.1

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+15177211330

Visit website

Château Coffee Co.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 83.1

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15175804913

Visit website

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 23.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+16169571580

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 71.2

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

Grand Rapids Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 29.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+16164019441

Visit website

Camelot Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 23.7

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16164563232

Visit website

Fish Ladder Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 17.8

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+16164563696

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 82.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | M 37 / M-37

Turn left onto M 37 / M-37

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
15.2 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit

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

Use the left lane.
5
15.5 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 96; M 37

Merge onto I 96; M 37

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

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
74.5 mi into trip | ~1h 25m in | I 96 BL

Take the exit onto I 96 BL toward BL I 96: Grand River Ave

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 90 Toward BL I 96: Grand River Ave
4
82.5 mi into trip | ~1h 39m in | CL / West Allegan Street

Turn left onto CL / West Allegan Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.99 one way

$25.98 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $14.26 $28.53
premium $4.89 $15.99 $31.98
diesel $5.61 $18.35 $36.69

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.

EV Charging Along Route

28 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Family Fare Supermarket - Tesla Supercharger

Grand Rapids, MI

Tesla

8 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Grand Rapids, MI

Tesla

8 DCFC

Walker, MI

Walker, MI

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

Meijer #20 (Grand Rapids, MI)

Grand Rapids, MI

Electrify America

6 DCFC

Lafontaine Ford of Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, MI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Walker, MI

Tesla

4 DCFC

FasCharge 5725 Admiral Marathon Walker

Walker, MI

RED_E

4 DCFC

Fox Ford

Grand Rapids, MI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 12 Tesla: 3 Non-Networked: 3 FORD_CHARGE: 2 Electrify America: 2 EV Connect: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 RED_E: 1 CHARGIE: 1 Blink Network: 1 eVgo Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.9 0 $8.73 $3.99
Efficient EV 20.8 0 $7.27 $3.32
EV Truck/SUV 33.2 0 $11.63 $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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Kent City, MI

Afternoon in Kent City on Saturday

Local time

1:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lansing, MI

Afternoon in Lansing on Saturday

Local time

1:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

46°F

Forest Hills, 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

2 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 40m 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?

This is a 1h 40m highway drive covering 83.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 96 and M-37. The longest continuous stretch is about 58.9 miles on I 96.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 58.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and M-37. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near M 37 / M-37.

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 1h 40m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (M 37 / M-37): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles (I 96; M 37): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 83.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (71%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Kent City, MI to Lansing, MI covers 83.1 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 96, M-37, West Grand River Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 41.5 miles from Kent City, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.99 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 is a straightforward 1h 40m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (M 37 / M-37): Lane positioning matters here; at 15.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles (I 96; M 37): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Kent City, 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, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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