How far is Grand Rapids, MI from Clarkston, MI?
The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to Clarkston, MI is about 136.4 miles (219.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115 miles (185.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m 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 27m.
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.
Village in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Rapids and Clarkston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids and Clarkston.
-
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
-
3
Continue on Division Avenue Northeast
609 ft · 18 sec · Division Avenue Northeast
-
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
-
7
Merge slight left
51.1 mi · 55 min
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 East: Flint
2.5 mi · 3 min
-
9
Merge slight left
51.5 mi · 53 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
1999 ft · 49 sec
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
1919 ft · 47 sec
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12
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 2 min
-
13
Keep slight left
23 mi · 25 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward M 15: Davison, Clarkston
2174 ft · 57 sec
-
15
Turn right onto North Main Street
3270 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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16
Turn left onto East Washington Street
26 m · 3 sec · East Washington Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Rapids and Clarkston.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 69 East
Merge slight left
51.5 mi · 00h 53m
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 Grand Rapids and Mostly Clear near Clarkston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Rapids to Clarkston?
The road trip is about 136.4 miles (219.5 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Clinton Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 68 miles from Grand Rapids and 68.4 miles from Clarkston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115 miles (185.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.4 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 1:34 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.55 one way or $41.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Grand Rapids and Mostly Clear near Clarkston.
Stop Ideas Near Clinton Village
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 Clinton Village.
East Lansing station
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Jackson station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and Clarkston. Straight-line distance: 115.01 mi (185.09 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 Clarkston
Clarkston is a place in Michigan, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 42.7358600, -83.4188300 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clarkston (-83.41883, 42.73586)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 220 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.27 | $20.55 | $41.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.96 | $23.88 | $47.75 |
| Premium | $5.56 | $26.73 | $53.47 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $31.65 | $63.30 |
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 07, 2026