How far is Alpena, MI from Lansing, MI?
The driving distance from Alpena, MI to Lansing, MI is about 236 miles (379.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.4 miles (274.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 27m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 43m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Snow Showers
Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alpena and Lansing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpena and Lansing.
-
1
Start on East Chisholm Street
738 ft · 24 sec · East Chisholm Street
-
2
Turn left onto South 3rd Avenue
1003 ft · 29 sec · South 3rd Avenue
-
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Washington Avenue
24.6 mi · 30 min · West Washington Avenue
-
4
Continue on Niergarth Road
33.1 mi · 38 min · Niergarth Road
-
5
Turn left
13.4 mi · 16 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South
1396 ft · 34 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
31.8 mi · 32 min
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on US 127: Clare, Lansing
137.3 mi · 2 hr 20 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing
3233 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto Ransom E Olds Freeway
1.9 mi · 2 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1488 ft · 38 sec
-
12
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
2269 ft · 1 min · South Walnut Street
-
13
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
126 m · 12 sec · West Allegan Street
-
14
Turn right onto Townsend Street
7 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alpena and Lansing.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 127
Keep slight right to continue on US 127: Clare, Lansing
137 mi · 02h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Snow Showers leaving Alpena and Chance Snow Showers near Lansing.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alpena to Lansing?
The road trip is about 236 miles (379.8 km) and usually takes 03h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Houghton Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.1 miles from Alpena and 114 miles from Lansing.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.4 miles (274.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 65.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.41 one way or $62.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Alpena and Chance Snow Showers near Lansing.
Stop Ideas Near Houghton Lake
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Houghton Lake.
Manton, Michigan
Cadillac, Michigan
Kingsley, Michigan
Reed City, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alpena and Lansing. Straight-line distance: 170.36 mi (274.16 km).
#1 Alpena
City in and county seat of Alpena County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 8,696 |
| Coordinates | 45.0616800, -83.4327500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lansing
The capital of Michigan and the county seat of Ingham County.
| Population | 112,640 |
| Coordinates | 42.7325300, -84.5555300 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Allegan Street (-84.555529, 42.732588)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 380 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 51m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.41 | $62.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.43 | $70.85 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.77 | $77.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.18 | $88.36 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.