How far is Grand Rapids, MI from Ford River, MI?
The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to Ford River, MI is about 389.1 miles (626.2 km), with a travel time of about 07h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 201.3 miles (323.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 07h 18m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in Allegan County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Rapids and Ford River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids and Ford River.
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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
94.8 mi · 1 hr 36 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward M 55 East: Lake City
2181 ft · 55 sec
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6
Turn right onto East M-55 Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · East M-55 Highway
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7
Continue on West Watergate Road
4.6 mi · 6 min · West Watergate Road
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8
Continue on West Blue Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Blue Road
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9
Turn left onto South Morey Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · South Morey Road
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10
Continue on Lakeshore Drive
1149 ft · 19 sec · Lakeshore Drive
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11
Continue on South Shore Drive
688 ft · 12 sec · South Shore Drive
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12
Continue on Lake Shore Drive
1.1 km · 1 min · Lake Shore Drive
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13
Continue on Main Street
2727 ft · 51 sec · Main Street
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14
Turn right onto West Houghton Lake Road
17.9 mi · 24 min · West Houghton Lake Road
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15
Continue on West Lake City Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · West Lake City Road
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16
Take the ramp left toward US 127 North: Grayling
1855 ft · 45 sec
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17
Merge slight left
18.3 mi · 18 min
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18
Merge slight right
94.2 mi · 1 hr 38 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
1913 ft · 1 min
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20
Merge slight left onto US-2 West
1.1 km · 1 min · US-2 West
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21
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
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22
Continue on US-2 West
134.6 mi · 2 hr 40 min · US-2 West
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23
Merge slight left onto North Lincoln Road
8.5 mi · 11 min · North Lincoln Road
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24
Turn right onto 9.9 Lane
26 m · 4 sec · 9.9 Lane
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9.9 Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Rapids and Ford River.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US-2 West
Continue on US-2 West
135 mi · 02h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Grand Rapids and Partly Sunny near Ford River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Rapids to Ford River?
The road trip is about 389.1 miles (626.2 km) and usually takes 07h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Trowbridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 194.4 miles from Grand Rapids and 194.7 miles from Ford River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 201.3 miles (323.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 187.8 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $51.78 one way or $103.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 122 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Grand Rapids and Partly Sunny near Ford River.
Stop Ideas Near Trowbridge
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 Trowbridge.
Walloon Lake, Michigan
Alanson, MI
Petoskey, Michigan
Boyne City, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and Ford River. Straight-line distance: 201.26 mi (323.9 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 Ford River
Human settlement in Delta County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,993 |
| Coordinates | 45.6794100, -87.1401300 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ford River (-87.14013, 45.67941)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 626 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $51.78 | $103.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $58.39 | $116.79 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $63.90 | $127.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $72.82 | $145.65 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.