How far is Ellington, MI from Grand Rapids, MI?
The driving distance from Ellington, MI to Grand Rapids, MI is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 125 miles (201.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 45m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Michigan, USA
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 Ellington and Grand Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellington and Grand Rapids.
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1
Start on East Caro Road
5.3 mi · 8 min · East Caro Road
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2
Turn left onto Ellington Street
2434 ft · 41 sec · Ellington Street
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3
Continue on Mertz Road
5.5 mi · 8 min · Mertz Road
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4
Turn right onto West Sanilac Road
15.8 mi · 18 min · West Sanilac Road
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5
Continue on Holland Avenue
9.7 mi · 11 min · Holland Avenue
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Holland Avenue
35 m · 6 sec · East Holland Avenue
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7
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1099 ft · 16 sec · East Holland Avenue
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Holland Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · East Holland Avenue
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9
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Holland Avenue
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10
Turn slight right onto East Remington Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Remington Street
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11
Turn left onto Sheridan Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheridan Avenue
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12
Continue on Williams Street
2311 ft · 34 sec · Williams Street
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13
Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Avenue
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14
Continue on Gratiot Road
11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
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15
Continue on East Saginaw Street
3158 ft · 41 sec · East Saginaw Street
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16
Continue on North Saginaw Street
715 ft · 9 sec · North Saginaw Street
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17
Continue on Gratiot Road
4.1 mi · 5 min · Gratiot Road
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18
Continue on Saginaw Street
2661 ft · 1 min · Saginaw Street
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19
Continue on West Saginaw Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Saginaw Street
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20
Continue on Gratiot Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Road
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21
Continue on East Monroe Road
5 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
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22
Continue on East Saginaw Street
1.6 km · 2 min · East Saginaw Street
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23
Continue on East Monroe Road
5.4 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
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24
Continue on East Washington Street
3137 ft · 1 min · East Washington Street
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25
Continue on West Washington Avenue
3042 ft · 1 min · West Washington Avenue
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26
Continue on West Monroe Road
11 mi · 15 min · West Monroe Road
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27
Continue on Northwest Monroe Road
2394 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Monroe Road
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28
Continue on Howard City Edmore Road
9.1 mi · 12 min · Howard City Edmore Road
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29
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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30
Continue on Howard City-Edmore Road
960 ft · 20 sec · Howard City-Edmore Road
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31
Continue on Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
21 mi · 29 min · Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
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32
Continue on West Edgar Road
2 mi · 3 min · West Edgar Road
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33
Take the exit left toward US 131 South: Grand Rapids
34 mi · 35 min
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34
Take the exit slight left toward I 196 East: Lansing
1720 ft · 47 sec
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35
Merge slight right onto Gerald R Ford Freeway
765 ft · 10 sec · Gerald R Ford Freeway
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36
Take the exit slight right toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown
137 m · 11 sec
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37
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown
127 m · 10 sec
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38
Continue on Ottawa Avenue Northwest
2177 ft · 1 min · Ottawa Avenue Northwest
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39
Turn left onto Monroe Center Street Northwest
801 ft · 31 sec · Monroe Center Street Northwest
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40
Turn right onto Division Avenue North
56 m · 11 sec · Division Avenue North
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41
Turn right onto Fulton Street West
17 m · 2 sec · Fulton Street West
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42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fulton Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ellington and Grand Rapids.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Ellington 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 Ellington to Grand Rapids?
The road trip is about 172.2 miles (277.1 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Alma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.1 miles from Ellington and 95.1 miles from Grand Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 125 miles (201.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.2 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 12:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.93 one way or $45.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ellington and Mostly Sunny near Grand Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Alma
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 Alma.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ellington and Grand Rapids. Straight-line distance: 124.93 mi (201.06 km).
#1 Ellington
Township in Tuscola County, Michigan
| Population | 1,261 |
| Coordinates | 43.5539100, -83.3213400 |
| Altitude | 239 |
| 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: 277 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.93 | $45.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.86 | $51.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $28.30 | $56.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $32.25 | $64.50 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.