How far is Alma, MI from Grand Rapids, MI?

The driving distance from Alma, MI to Grand Rapids, MI is about 80.7 miles (129.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58.3 miles (93.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
80.68 mi
01h 27m
Flight
58.37 mi
93.93 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Alma.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
58.37 mi
Kilometers
93.93 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
80.68 mi
Kilometers
129.84 km
Drive Time
01h 27m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Grand Rapids
Thu, Apr 23, 9:41 AM EDT
Return by in Alma
Thu, Apr 23, 11:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Alma
2026-04-23T08:13
Arrive Grand Rapids
Thu, Apr 23, 9:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:27 AM to 11:27 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Alma
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Howard City
MI

City in Howard County, Nebraska, United States of America

From Alma
40 mi
00h 43m
To Grand Rapids
40.6 mi
00h 43m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Alma and Grand Rapids.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alma and Grand Rapids.

  1. 1

    Start on East Superior Street

    1880 ft · 1 min · East Superior Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Wright Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Wright Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on North Alger Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Alger Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Monroe Road

    8.5 mi · 12 min · West Monroe Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Northwest Monroe Road

    2394 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Monroe Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Howard City Edmore Road

    9.1 mi · 12 min · Howard City Edmore Road

  7. 7

    Continue on East Main Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Howard City-Edmore Road

    960 ft · 20 sec · Howard City-Edmore Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Howard City Edmore Road Northeast

    21 mi · 29 min · Howard City Edmore Road Northeast

  10. 10

    Continue on West Edgar Road

    2 mi · 3 min · West Edgar Road

  11. 11

    Take the exit left toward US 131 South: Grand Rapids

    34 mi · 35 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward I 196 East: Lansing

    1720 ft · 47 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight right onto Gerald R Ford Freeway

    765 ft · 10 sec · Gerald R Ford Freeway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown

    137 m · 11 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Downtown

    127 m · 10 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on Ottawa Avenue Northwest

    2177 ft · 1 min · Ottawa Avenue Northwest

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Monroe Center Street Northwest

    801 ft · 31 sec · Monroe Center Street Northwest

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Division Avenue North

    56 m · 11 sec · Division Avenue North

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Fulton Street West

    17 m · 2 sec · Fulton Street West

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Fulton Street West

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Alma and Grand Rapids.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
20 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 131 South
34 mi · 42%
Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
21 mi · 26%
Howard City Edmore Road
9.08 mi · 11%
West Monroe Road
8.53 mi · 11%
West Edgar Road
1.95 mi · 2%
East Main Street
1.31 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 131 South

Take the exit left toward US 131 South: Grand Rapids

34 mi · 00h 35m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.4 mi
58.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Howard City
00h 43m from Alma
Leave By
3:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Alma and Mostly Sunny near Grand Rapids.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Alma to Grand Rapids?

The road trip is about 80.7 miles (129.8 km) and usually takes 01h 27m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Howard City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40 miles from Alma and 40.6 miles from Grand Rapids.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 58.3 miles (93.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.75 one way or $21.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Alma and Mostly Sunny near Grand Rapids.

Stop Ideas Near Howard City

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Howard City, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Howard City.

BUS

Howard City, Michigan

130 North Ensley St.
BUS

Rockford, Michigan

32 mi away
US 131 & 10 Mile Road NE
BUS

Big Rapids, Michigan

34 mi away
14342 Northland Dr.
RAIL

Vernon J. Ehlers Station

52 mi away
431 Wealthy St. SW

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Alma and Grand Rapids. Straight-line distance: 58.37 mi (93.93 km).

Alma

#1 Alma

City in Michigan, USA

Population8,807
Coordinates43.3789200, -84.6597300
Altitude224
CountryUnited States
Grand Rapids

#2 Grand Rapids

The second most populous city in Michigan.

Population200,031
Coordinates42.9633600, -85.6680900
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: East Superior Street (-84.659729, 43.378981)
End: West Fulton Street (-85.668092, 42.963219)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 130 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 41m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.85 gal
10.78 L · about $10.75
Round trip
$21.49
5.7 gal · 21.56 L
Estimated CO2
25.3 kg one way
Round trip: 50.7 kg / 112 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.75 $21.49
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.12 $24.24
Premium $4.65 $13.26 $26.53
Diesel $5.30 $15.12 $30.23

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Michigan · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Alma and Grand Rapids. The current time is 08:13:43.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.