How far is East Tawas, MI from Lansing, MI?

The driving distance from East Tawas, MI to Lansing, MI is about 166.2 miles (267.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 36m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.5 miles (192.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 13m 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
166.13 mi
02h 36m
Flight
119.47 mi
192.27 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from East Tawas.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
119.47 mi
Kilometers
192.27 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
166.13 mi
Kilometers
267.36 km
Drive Time
02h 36m

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 36m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lansing
Sun, May 31, 11:15 AM EDT
Return by in East Tawas
Sun, May 31, 1:52 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave East Tawas
2026-05-31T08:39
Arrive Lansing
Sun, May 31, 11:15 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 36m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in East Tawas
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
Buena Vista
MI

Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States

From East Tawas
81.1 mi
01h 18m
To Lansing
85 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SW
Destination
76°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between East Tawas and Lansing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Tawas and Lansing.

  1. 1

    Start on West Bay Street

    3166 ft · 1 min · West Bay Street

  2. 2

    Continue on East Lake Street

    2.7 mi · 6 min · East Lake Street

  3. 3

    Continue on North Huron Road

    26.2 mi · 37 min · North Huron Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Center Road

    1 km · 1 min · Center Road

  5. 5

    Continue on West Huron Road

    6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road

  6. 6

    Continue on North Main Street

    2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto West Cedar Street

    3191 ft · 54 sec · West Cedar Street

  8. 8

    Continue on West M-61

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West M-61

  9. 9

    Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Saginaw

    1735 ft · 42 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Saginaw

    64.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    7.8 mi · 8 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69: Port Huron, Lansing

    1214 ft · 30 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 69: Port Huron, Lansing

    1894 ft · 46 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 69 East, I 69 West: Port Huron, Lansing

    976 ft · 24 sec

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on I 69 West: Lansing

    1.1 km · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

    37.2 mi · 38 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward BL I 69: East Lansing

    6.8 mi · 11 min

  18. 18

    Turn straight onto East Grand River Avenue

    1143 ft · 37 sec · East Grand River Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn left onto North Howard Avenue

    913 ft · 27 sec · North Howard Avenue

  20. 20

    Take the ramp slight left toward US 127 South

    1070 ft · 26 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    2147 ft · 26 sec

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing

    3233 ft · 1 min

  23. 23

    Merge slight left onto Ransom E Olds Freeway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    1488 ft · 38 sec

  25. 25

    Turn right onto South Walnut Street

    2269 ft · 1 min · South Walnut Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto West Allegan Street

    126 m · 12 sec · West Allegan Street

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Townsend Street

    7 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between East Tawas and Lansing.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
28 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
4 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Saginaw
72.4 mi · 44%
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
37.2 mi · 22%
North Huron Road
26.2 mi · 16%
BL I 69
6.77 mi · 4%
West Huron Road
6.29 mi · 4%
East Lake Street
2.68 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Saginaw

Merge slight left onto Saginaw

64.5 mi · 01h 07m

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 36m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.7 mi
119.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 18m from East Tawas
Leave By
1:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving East Tawas and Sunny near Lansing.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from East Tawas to Lansing?

The road trip is about 166.2 miles (267.4 km) and usually takes 02h 36m 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?

Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.1 miles from East Tawas and 85 miles from Lansing.

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

The direct path is about 119.5 miles (192.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.7 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 1:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.10 one way or $44.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around East Tawas and Sunny near Lansing.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Buena Vista and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Food stop 12.3 mi away

Old City Hall

Bay City , MI
814 Saginaw St, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 4.5/5 660 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Bar,Restaurant
Bay City Hall
Meeting point 11.9 mi away

Bay City Hall

Bay City , MI
301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 3.7/5 14 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.

BUS

Saginaw, MI

3 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Bay City, MI

20 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
RAIL

Flint station

49 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Owosso, MI

52 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between East Tawas and Lansing. Straight-line distance: 119.47 mi (192.27 km).

East Tawas

#1 East Tawas

City in Iosco County, Michigan, United States of America

Population2,721
Coordinates44.2794600, -83.4902500
Altitude178
CountryUnited States
Lansing

#2 Lansing

The capital of Michigan and the county seat of Ingham County.

Population112,640
Coordinates42.7325300, -84.5555300
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Start: West Bay Street (-83.490231, 44.279401)
End: West Allegan Street (-84.555529, 42.732588)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 267 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.86 gal
22.19 L · about $22.10
Round trip
$44.20
11.72 gal · 44.38 L
Estimated CO2
52.1 kg one way
Round trip: 104.2 kg / 230 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.10 $44.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.92 $49.85
Premium $4.65 $27.27 $54.54
Diesel $5.30 $31.08 $62.16

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between East Tawas and Lansing. The current time is 08:39:21.

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.