How far is Carlton, MI from Grand Rapids, MI?
The driving distance from Carlton, MI to Grand Rapids, MI is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.7 miles (43 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Kent County, Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlton and Grand Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlton and Grand Rapids.
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1
Start on Usborne Road
2 mi · 3 min · Usborne Road
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2
Turn left onto East Brown Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Brown Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Broadway Street
1 mi · 1 min · North Broadway Street
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4
Continue on Hastings Road
2 mi · 3 min · Hastings Road
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5
Turn left onto Thompson Road
1 mi · 1 min · Thompson Road
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6
Continue on 92nd Street Southeast
2395 ft · 39 sec · 92nd Street Southeast
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7
Turn right onto Freeport Avenue
1.5 km · 1 min · Freeport Avenue
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8
Keep slight left
598 ft · 9 sec
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9
Continue on 84th Street Southeast
2.4 mi · 3 min · 84th Street Southeast
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10
Turn right onto Alden Nash Avenue Southeast
4.6 mi · 6 min · Alden Nash Avenue Southeast
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
1297 ft · 32 sec
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12
Merge slight left
14.8 mi · 16 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Gerald R Ford Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Gerald R Ford Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown
2637 ft · 1 min
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15
Continue on Ottawa Avenue Northwest
2177 ft · 1 min · Ottawa Avenue Northwest
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16
Turn left onto Monroe Center Street Northwest
801 ft · 31 sec · Monroe Center Street Northwest
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17
Turn right onto Division Avenue North
56 m · 11 sec · Division Avenue North
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18
Turn right onto Fulton Street West
17 m · 2 sec · Fulton Street West
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fulton Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlton and Grand Rapids.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
I 96 West
Merge slight left
14.8 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Carlton 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 Carlton to Grand Rapids?
The road trip is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km) and usually takes 00h 40m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lowell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Carlton and 19.1 miles from Grand Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.7 miles (43 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.94 one way or $9.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carlton and Mostly Sunny near Grand Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Lowell
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 Lowell.
Rockford, Michigan
Vernon J. Ehlers Station
Howard City, Michigan
Holland station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlton and Grand Rapids. Straight-line distance: 26.7 mi (42.97 km).
#1 Carlton
Township in Barry County, Michigan
| Population | 2,459 |
| Coordinates | 42.7267000, -85.2514000 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Grand Rapids
The second most populous city in Michigan.
| Population | 200,031 |
| Coordinates | 42.9633600, -85.6680900 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Fulton Street (-85.668092, 42.963219)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 60 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.94 | $9.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.57 | $11.14 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.10 | $12.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.95 | $13.90 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.