How far is Grand Rapids, MI from Bear Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to Bear Lake, MI is about 135 miles (217.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.5 miles (166.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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 40m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Oceana County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Rapids and Bear Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids and Bear Lake.
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1
Start on Fulton Street West
1431 ft · 59 sec · Fulton Street West
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2
Turn left onto Market Avenue Southwest
943 ft · 34 sec · Market Avenue Southwest
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3
Take the ramp right toward US 131 North: Cadillac
944 ft · 23 sec
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4
Merge slight left
3.2 mi · 4 min
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5
Take the exit slight left toward I 96, M 37: Muskegon, Lansing
2409 ft · 35 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 96: Muskegon
1550 ft · 22 sec
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7
Keep slight right
993 ft · 14 sec
-
8
Merge slight right
30 mi · 32 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington
2543 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left
59.3 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 East, US 31: Clare, Traverse City
2372 ft · 1 min
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12
Continue straight
2.1 mi · 3 min
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13
Turn left onto North Stiles Road
8.6 mi · 12 min · North Stiles Road
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Townline Road
2644 ft · 47 sec · West Townline Road
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15
Turn left onto North Quarterline Road
6.7 mi · 9 min · North Quarterline Road
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto West County Line Road
1183 ft · 24 sec · West County Line Road
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17
Turn left onto Maple Road
4 mi · 6 min · Maple Road
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18
Continue on Maple Street
1322 ft · 47 sec · Maple Street
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19
Turn right onto 8th Street
1322 ft · 44 sec · 8th Street
-
20
Turn left onto Cypress Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Cypress Street
-
21
Turn right onto Cleveland Street
1502 ft · 35 sec · Cleveland Street
-
22
Continue on Arthur Street
1 km · 1 min · Arthur Street
-
23
Continue on West Parkdale Road
1 km · 1 min · West Parkdale Road
-
24
Continue on West Parkdale Avenue
2.4 mi · 3 min · West Parkdale Avenue
-
25
Continue on Chippewa Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Chippewa Highway
-
26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chippewa Highway
28 m · 2 sec · Chippewa Highway
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27
Exit the roundabout onto Chippewa Highway
11.1 mi · 15 min · Chippewa Highway
-
28
Continue on West Street
1359 ft · 30 sec · West Street
-
29
Turn right onto Stuart Street
745 ft · 33 sec · Stuart Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Stuart Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Rapids and Bear Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 31 North
Merge slight left
59.3 mi · 01h 01m
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 Cloudy leaving Grand Rapids and Rain Showers Likely near Bear Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Rapids to Bear Lake?
The road trip is about 135 miles (217.3 km) and usually takes 02h 40m 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?
New Era is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67.5 miles from Grand Rapids and 67.5 miles from Bear Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103.5 miles (166.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:10 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.70 one way or $41.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Grand Rapids and Rain Showers Likely near Bear Lake.
Stop Ideas Near New Era
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 New Era.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and Bear Lake. Straight-line distance: 103.51 mi (166.59 km).
#1 Grand Rapids
The second most populous city in Michigan.
| Population | 200,031 |
| Coordinates | 42.9633600, -85.6680900 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bear Lake
Village in Manistee County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 288 |
| Coordinates | 44.4208300, -86.1481400 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bear Lake (-86.14814, 44.42083)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 217 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.34 | $20.70 | $41.39 |
| Mid-grade | $5.02 | $23.95 | $47.90 |
| Premium | $5.62 | $26.80 | $53.60 |
| Diesel | $6.61 | $31.52 | $63.04 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026