This 76-mile drive from Lansing to Southfield, Michigan, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 28 minutes. Operating primarily on I-96 and the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, with a segment on US-127, this route is almost entirely highway, making it a convenient day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, it's an economical option for a quick transition within the Midwest. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, as the total travel time is quite manageable. The focus is on efficient travel between these two Michigan cities.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 28m. Total distance: 76 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 28m 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
Expect a highway-focused experience for 94% of this trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 56.1 miles on I-96, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. As you transition from I-96 to the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, the road character remains that of a major artery, designed for smooth, relatively uninterrupted travel. This route prioritizes speed and directness over varied scenery, so prepare for a driving experience dominated by the open highway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 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 56.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West Allegan Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 76 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (West Allegan Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Washington Square South): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West Allegan Street
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Washington Square South
Turn left onto Washington Square South
Navigation decision point
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
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward 10 Mile Road, Evergreen Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 15
Toward 10 Mile Road, Evergreen Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lansing, MI to Southfield, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 5 East: Port Huron along the way.
M 5 East: Port Huron
63.1 mi in|~1h 12m|via I 696
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
56.1 mi
1h
Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi
10m
US 127
3.4 mi
3m
John C Lodge Freeway
2.5 mi
2m
East Michigan Avenue
2.1 mi
5m
West 10 Mile Road
1.1 mi
2m
I 496
0.9 mi
1m
South Howard Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 56.1 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing, MI and Southfield, 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 73AToward I 96 East: DetroitUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 96
56 mi·1 hr·I 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on I 696
8.9 mi·10 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East: Port HuronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto M 10
2.5 mi·2 min·John C Lodge Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 15Toward 10 Mile Road, Evergreen RoadUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto Northwestern Highway
0.2 mi·27 sec·Northwestern Highway
16
Turn left onto West 10 Mile Road
1.1 mi·2 min·West 10 Mile Road
17
Arrive at destination
West 10 Mile Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 38 miles from Lansing, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Southfield, MI
The final approach into Southfield, 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
$11.88 one way
$23.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$13.05
$26.09
premium
$4.89
$14.63
$29.25
diesel
$5.61
$16.78
$33.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.8
0
$7.98
$3.65
Efficient EV
19
0
$6.65
$3.04
EV Truck/SUV
30.4
0
$10.64
$4.86
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 17, 2026
Origin
Lansing, MI
Morning
in Lansing on Friday
Local time
11:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Widespread Fog
N 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 9:52PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:40PM EDT until April 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
Destination
Southfield, MI
Morning
in Southfield on Friday
Local time
11:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Widespread Fog
NE 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 9:52PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:40PM EDT until April 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
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
1 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 28m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lansing, MI to Southfield, MI covers 76 miles and takes about 1h 28m 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, 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 38 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 $11.88 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 76 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (West Allegan Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Washington Square South): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lansing, MI to Southfield, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 5 East: Port Huron along the way.
