How far is Grand Rapids, MI from Carlton, MI?
The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to Carlton, MI is about 35.7 miles (57.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.7 miles (43 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Kent County, Michigan, United States
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 Grand Rapids and Carlton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids and Carlton.
-
1
Start on Fulton Street West
17 m · 10 sec · Fulton Street West
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2
Turn left onto Division Avenue North
2034 ft · 1 min · Division Avenue North
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3
Continue on Division Avenue Northeast
609 ft · 18 sec · Division Avenue Northeast
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4
Turn left onto Michigan Street Northeast
71 m · 11 sec · Michigan Street Northeast
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 196 East: Lansing
651 ft · 16 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Freeway
3.9 mi · 4 min · Gerald R Ford Freeway
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7
Merge slight left
14.4 mi · 15 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward M 50: Lowell, Charlotte
1690 ft · 44 sec
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9
Turn right onto Alden Nash Avenue Southeast
5.5 mi · 8 min · Alden Nash Avenue Southeast
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10
Turn left onto 92nd Street Southeast
2.9 mi · 4 min · 92nd Street Southeast
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11
Continue on Thompson Road
1 mi · 1 min · Thompson Road
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12
Turn right onto Hastings Road
2 mi · 3 min · Hastings Road
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13
Continue on North Broadway Street
1 mi · 1 min · North Broadway Street
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14
Turn left onto East Brown Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Brown Road
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15
Turn right onto Usborne Road
2 mi · 3 min · Usborne Road
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Usborne Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Rapids and Carlton.
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.
Gerald R Ford Freeway
Merge slight left
14.4 mi · 00h 15m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Grand Rapids and Mostly Sunny near Carlton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Rapids to Carlton?
The road trip is about 35.7 miles (57.5 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lowell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.8 miles from Grand Rapids and 17.9 miles from Carlton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.7 miles (43 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.75 one way or $9.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Grand Rapids and Mostly Sunny near Carlton.
Stop Ideas Near Lowell
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 Lowell.
Rockford, Michigan
Vernon J. Ehlers Station
Howard City, Michigan
Holland station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and Carlton. Straight-line distance: 26.7 mi (42.97 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 Carlton
Township in Barry County, Michigan
| Population | 2,459 |
| Coordinates | 42.7267000, -85.2514000 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlton (-85.2514, 42.7267)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.75 | $9.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.36 | $10.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.86 | $11.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.68 | $13.37 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.