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

The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to Alma, MI is about 80.2 miles (129.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58.3 miles (93.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 25m 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
80.21 mi
01h 42m
Flight
58.37 mi
93.93 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Grand Rapids.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
58.37 mi
Kilometers
93.93 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
80.21 mi
Kilometers
129.08 km
Drive Time
01h 42m

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 01h 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Alma
Sat, Apr 11, 2:27 AM EDT
Return by in Grand Rapids
Sat, Apr 11, 4:10 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grand Rapids
2026-04-11T00:44
Arrive Alma
Sat, Apr 11, 2:27 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:43 AM to 11:43 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Grand Rapids
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
Howard City
MI

City in Howard County, Nebraska, United States of America

From Grand Rapids
40.1 mi
00h 51m
To Alma
40.1 mi
00h 51m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph ESE
Destination
54°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
1 to 6 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    8.5 mi · 12 min · West Monroe Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Alger Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · North Alger Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Wright Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Wright Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Superior Street

    1880 ft · 56 sec · West Superior Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Superior Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 131 North
34.7 mi · 43%
Howard City Edmore Road
21 mi · 26%
Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
9.08 mi · 11%
West Monroe Road
8.53 mi · 11%
West Edgar Road
1.58 mi · 2%
West Main Street
1.31 mi · 2%
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 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
01h 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.9 mi
58.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Howard City
00h 51m from Grand Rapids
Leave By
3:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Grand Rapids and Sunny near Alma.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 80.2 miles (129.1 km) and usually takes 01h 42m 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?

Howard City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 40.1 miles from Grand Rapids and 40.1 miles from Alma.

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

The direct path is about 58.3 miles (93.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.9 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 3:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.67 one way or $21.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Grand Rapids and Sunny near Alma.

Stop Ideas Near Howard City

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

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

BUS

Howard City, Michigan

130 North Ensley St.
BUS

Rockford, Michigan

32 mi away
US 131 & 10 Mile Road NE
BUS

Big Rapids, Michigan

34 mi away
14342 Northland Dr.
RAIL

Vernon J. Ehlers Station

52 mi away
431 Wealthy St. SW

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and Alma. Straight-line distance: 58.37 mi (93.93 km).

Grand Rapids

#1 Grand Rapids

The second most populous city in Michigan.

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

#2 Alma

City in Michigan, USA

Population8,807
Coordinates43.3789200, -84.6597300
Altitude224
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Rapids (-85.66809, 42.96336)
End: Alma (-84.65973, 43.37892)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 129 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.83 gal
10.71 L · about $10.67
Round trip
$21.34
5.66 gal · 21.42 L
Estimated CO2
25.2 kg one way
Round trip: 50.3 kg / 111 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.67 $21.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $12.04 $24.07
Premium $4.65 $13.17 $26.34
Diesel $5.30 $15.01 $30.02

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 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Grand Rapids and Alma. The current time is 00:44:39.

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.