How far is Big Prairie, MI from Ann Arbor, MI?

The driving distance from Big Prairie, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m 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
180.1 mi
02h 48m
Flight
128.9 mi
207.45 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Big Prairie.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
128.9 mi
Kilometers
207.45 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
180.1 mi
Kilometers
289.85 km
Drive Time
02h 48m

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 02h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ann Arbor
Tue, May 26, 7:39 PM EDT
Return by in Big Prairie
Tue, May 26, 10:27 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Big Prairie
2026-05-26T16:51
Arrive Ann Arbor
Tue, May 26, 7:39 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:54 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Big Prairie
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Portland
MI

City in Michigan, United States

From Big Prairie
90 mi
01h 24m
To Ann Arbor
90.2 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
86°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Big Prairie and Ann Arbor.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Big Prairie and Ann Arbor.

  1. 1

    Start on South Elm Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · South Elm Avenue

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East 36th Street

    1811 ft · 35 sec · East 36th Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Con Pow Co

    894 ft · 30 sec · Con Pow Co

  4. 4

    Continue on Hardy Dam

    2650 ft · 2 min · Hardy Dam

  5. 5

    Continue on East 40th Street

    146 m · 20 sec · East 40th Street

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Croton Hardy Drive

    1.2 km · 1 min · Croton Hardy Drive

  7. 7

    Continue on East 36th Street

    2.5 mi · 3 min · East 36th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Jefferson Road

    3.7 mi · 9 min · Jefferson Road

  9. 9

    Take the ramp right toward US 131 South: Grand Rapids

    2504 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    35.3 mi · 36 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 96 East, M 37 South: Lansing

    1009 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    65.1 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit

    50.8 mi · 54 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward US 23: Ann Arbor, Flint

    1744 ft · 21 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 23 South: Ann Arbor

    1623 ft · 40 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    14.1 mi · 15 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit right toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor

    1.5 km · 2 min

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Depot Street

    1969 ft · 1 min · Depot Street

  20. 20

    Turn right

    36 m · 7 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on North State Street

    3204 ft · 1 min · North State Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South State Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Prairie and Ann Arbor.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 96 East
116 mi · 64%
US 131 South
35.8 mi · 20%
US 23 South
14.5 mi · 8%
Jefferson Road
3.75 mi · 2%
East 36th Street
2.85 mi · 2%
South Elm Avenue
1.98 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 96 East

Merge slight left

65.1 mi · 01h 10m

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
02h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+51.2 mi
128.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Portland
01h 24m from Big Prairie
Leave By
12:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Big Prairie and Mostly Sunny near Ann Arbor.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Big Prairie to Ann Arbor?

The road trip is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?

Portland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90 miles from Big Prairie and 90.2 miles from Ann Arbor.

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

The direct path is about 128.9 miles (207.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.2 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 12:54 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.98 one way or $47.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Big Prairie and Mostly Sunny near Ann Arbor.

Stop Ideas Near Portland

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Portland, 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 Portland.

RAIL

East Lansing station

37 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road
BUS

Rockford, Michigan

60 mi away
US 131 & 10 Mile Road NE
BUS

Owosso, MI

61 mi away
109 Comstock Street
RAIL

Vernon J. Ehlers Station

64 mi away
431 Wealthy St. SW

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Big Prairie and Ann Arbor. Straight-line distance: 128.9 mi (207.45 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Big Prairie

Township in Newaygo County, Michigan

Population2,691
Coordinates43.5186300, -85.6425500
Altitude288
CountryUnited States
Ann Arbor

#2 Ann Arbor

The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Population119,280
Coordinates42.2775600, -83.7408800
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Start: South Elm Avenue (-85.642757, 43.518629)
End: South State Street (-83.740762, 42.277562)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 290 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.36 gal
24.06 L · about $23.98
Round trip
$47.97
12.72 gal · 48.12 L
Estimated CO2
56.5 kg one way
Round trip: 113 kg / 249 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.98 $47.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.05 $54.10
Premium $4.65 $29.60 $59.20
Diesel $5.30 $33.73 $67.47

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 · May 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Big Prairie and Ann Arbor. The current time is 16:51:03.

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.