Origin
Lansing, MI
Afternoon in Lansing on Saturday
Local time
1:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lansing, MI to Highland, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 9m
Distance
53.4 mi
86 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 4m
★
6 AM
1h 10m
8 AM
1h 21m
10 AM
1h 13m
12 PM
1h 12m
3 PM
1h 14m
5 PM
1h 20m
8 PM
1h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highland, MI
Francesco Ungaro
Trip Overview
Lansing to Highland is 53.4 miles and takes about 1 hour 9 minutes via I 96, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Michigan. It's a straightforward, highway-focused journey, making it an easy day trip or a quick leg of a longer adventure. Given its short duration and low estimated fuel cost, this route is ideal for a spontaneous drive or when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 9m. Total distance: 53.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the route utilizing major highways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 96, experiencing a consistent highway pace for up to 26.2 miles at a stretch. The route primarily follows I 96 and I 96 BL, with a segment on US 127, maintaining a high-speed character for most of the journey. Expect a smooth, predictable drive without significant changes in road type or speed.
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 26.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and I 96 BL. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 53.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles (I 496): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles (I 96 BL; M 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 496 EAST, US 127 SOUTH
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 496 EAST, US 127 SOUTH
7
6.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 496
Take the exit onto I 496 toward I 96 East: Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 73A
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
8
33.2 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 96 BL; M 59
Take the exit onto I 96 BL; M 59 toward I 96 Business, M 59: Howell, Pontiac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 133
Toward I 96 Business, M 59: Howell, Pontiac
6
53.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
North Milford Road
Turn right onto North Milford Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
53.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lansing, MI and Highland, MI, road signs point toward M 59: Howell and Pontiac.
M 59: Howell
33.2 mi in
|
~40m
|
via I 96 BL; M 59
Pontiac
33.2 mi in
|
~40m
|
via I 96 BL; M 59
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| I 96 BL | 20 mi | 28m |
| US 127 | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| East Michigan Avenue | 2.1 mi | 5m |
| I 496 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Howard Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Milford Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Allegan Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 26.2 mi, about 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing, MI and Highland, MI.
1
Start on Townsend Street
22 ft
·
3 sec
·
Townsend Street
2
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
West Allegan Street
3
Turn left onto Washington Square South
339 ft
·
11 sec
·
Washington Square South
4
Enter roundabout onto East Michigan Avenue
20 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Michigan Avenue
5
Continue on East Michigan Avenue
2.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Michigan Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto South Howard Avenue
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
South Howard Avenue
7
Take the ramp
440 ft
·
10 sec
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 496 EAST, US 127 SOUTH
9
Merge onto US 127
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
US 127
10
Take the exit onto I 496
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 496
Exit 73A
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 96
26 mi
·
28 min
·
I 96
12
Take the exit onto I 96 BL; M 59
20 mi
·
28 min
·
I 96 BL; M 59
Exit 133
Toward I 96 Business, M 59: Howell, Pontiac
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto North Milford Road
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Milford Road
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left
173 ft
·
12 sec
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.7 mi from Lansing, MI · 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.7 miles from Lansing, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Highland, MI
The final approach into Highland, 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
$8.35 one way
$16.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.17 | $18.33 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.28 | $20.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.79 | $23.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16 | 0 | $5.61 | $2.56 |
| Efficient EV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.67 | $2.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.4 | 0 | $7.48 | $3.42 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Highland, MI
Afternoon in Highland on Saturday
Local time
1:07 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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 9m 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 Lansing, MI to Highland, MI covers 53.4 miles and takes about 1h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 96, I 96 BL, US 127. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.7 miles from Lansing, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.35 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 53.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.1 miles (I 496): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles (I 96 BL; M 59): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Lansing, MI and Highland, MI, road signs point toward M 59: Howell and Pontiac.
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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