How far is Grand Rapids, MI from Akron, MI?

The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to Akron, MI is about 147.6 miles (237.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 116.1 miles (186.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
147.56 mi
03h 09m
Flight
116.14 mi
186.91 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Grand Rapids.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
116.14 mi
Kilometers
186.91 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
147.56 mi
Kilometers
237.48 km
Drive Time
03h 09m

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 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Akron
Tue, Apr 14, 11:11 PM EDT
Return by in Grand Rapids
Wed, Apr 15, 2:21 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grand Rapids
2026-04-14T20:02
Arrive Akron
Tue, Apr 14, 11:11 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:40 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Grand Rapids
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Alma
MI

City in Michigan, USA

From Grand Rapids
73.7 mi
01h 34m
To Akron
73.9 mi
01h 34m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph SW
Destination
74°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Rapids and Akron.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids and Akron.

  1. 1

    Start on Fulton Street West

    1431 ft · 59 sec · Fulton Street West

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Market Avenue Southwest

    943 ft · 34 sec · Market Avenue Southwest

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward US 131 North: Cadillac

    944 ft · 23 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    34.5 mi · 36 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward M 46

    2891 ft · 1 min

  6. 6

    Turn right onto West Edgar Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · West Edgar Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Howard City Edmore Road

    21 mi · 29 min · Howard City Edmore Road

  8. 8

    Continue on Howard City-Edmore Road

    960 ft · 20 sec · Howard City-Edmore Road

  9. 9

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.3 mi · 3 min · West Main Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Howard City Edmore Road Northeast

    9.1 mi · 12 min · Howard City Edmore Road Northeast

  11. 11

    Continue on Northwest Monroe Road

    2394 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Monroe Road

  12. 12

    Continue on West Monroe Road

    11 mi · 15 min · West Monroe Road

  13. 13

    Continue on West Washington Avenue

    3042 ft · 1 min · West Washington Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on East Washington Street

    3137 ft · 1 min · East Washington Street

  15. 15

    Continue on East Monroe Road

    5.4 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road

  16. 16

    Continue on West Saginaw Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · West Saginaw Street

  17. 17

    Continue on East Monroe Road

    5 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road

  18. 18

    Continue on Gratiot Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Road

  19. 19

    Continue on West Saginaw Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Saginaw Street

  20. 20

    Continue on East Saginaw Street

    2327 ft · 49 sec · East Saginaw Street

  21. 21

    Continue on Gratiot Road

    4.1 mi · 5 min · Gratiot Road

  22. 22

    Continue on North Saginaw Street

    903 ft · 12 sec · North Saginaw Street

  23. 23

    Continue on West Saginaw Street

    2970 ft · 38 sec · West Saginaw Street

  24. 24

    Continue on Gratiot Road

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road

  25. 25

    Continue on Gratiot Avenue

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Stephens Street

    2261 ft · 31 sec · Stephens Street

  27. 27

    Continue on Rust Street

    141 m · 6 sec · Rust Street

  28. 28

    Continue on Rust Avenue Bridge

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Rust Avenue Bridge

  29. 29

    Continue on South Warren Avenue

    1599 ft · 24 sec · South Warren Avenue

  30. 30

    Turn right onto East Holland Avenue

    2 mi · 2 min · East Holland Avenue

  31. 31

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Holland Avenue

    39 m · 7 sec · East Holland Avenue

  32. 32

    Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue

    1109 ft · 16 sec · East Holland Avenue

  33. 33

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Holland Avenue

    36 m · 7 sec · East Holland Avenue

  34. 34

    Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue

    9.7 mi · 11 min · East Holland Avenue

  35. 35

    Continue on Sanilac Road

    5.9 mi · 7 min · Sanilac Road

  36. 36

    Turn left onto South Vassar Road

    7 mi · 10 min · South Vassar Road

  37. 37

    Turn right onto Deckerville Road

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Deckerville Road

  38. 38

    Turn left onto Merry Road

    3.5 mi · 5 min · Merry Road

  39. 39

    Continue on Main Street

    2350 ft · 2 min · Main Street

  40. 40

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Beach Street

    21 m · 7 sec · Beach Street

  41. 41

    Turn left onto Main Street

    625 ft · 27 sec · Main Street

  42. 42

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Rapids and Akron.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
42 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 131 North
34.7 mi · 23%
Howard City Edmore Road
21 mi · 14%
Gratiot Road
16.7 mi · 11%
East Holland Avenue
12 mi · 8%
West Monroe Road
11 mi · 7%
East Monroe Road
10.4 mi · 7%
Longest Stretch

US 131 North

Merge slight left

34.5 mi · 00h 36m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.5 mi
116.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Alma
01h 34m from Grand Rapids
Leave By
10:40 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Grand Rapids and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Akron.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Grand Rapids to Akron?

The road trip is about 147.6 miles (237.5 km) and usually takes 03h 09m 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?

Alma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.7 miles from Grand Rapids and 73.9 miles from Akron.

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

The direct path is about 116.1 miles (186.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.5 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 10:40 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.65 one way or $39.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Grand Rapids and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Akron.

Stop Ideas Near Alma

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

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

BUS

Owosso, MI

58 mi away
109 Comstock Street
BUS

Saginaw, MI

59 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Howard City, Michigan

65 mi away
130 North Ensley St.
BUS

Bay City, MI

67 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and Akron. Straight-line distance: 116.14 mi (186.91 km).

Grand Rapids

#1 Grand Rapids

The second most populous city in Michigan.

Population200,031
Coordinates42.9633600, -85.6680900
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Akron

#2 Akron

Village in Tuscola County, Michigan, United States

Population373
Coordinates43.5680800, -83.5141300
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Rapids (-85.66809, 42.96336)
End: Akron (-83.51413, 43.56808)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 237 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.21 gal
19.71 L · about $19.65
Round trip
$39.29
10.42 gal · 39.42 L
Estimated CO2
46.3 kg one way
Round trip: 92.6 kg / 204 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.65 $39.29
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.16 $44.32
Premium $4.65 $24.25 $48.49
Diesel $5.30 $27.63 $55.27

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Grand Rapids and Akron. The current time is 20:02:03.

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.