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

The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to Jackson, MI is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 54m 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
105.18 mi
01h 57m
Flight
81.29 mi
130.82 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
81.29 mi
Kilometers
130.82 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.18 mi
Kilometers
169.27 km
Drive Time
01h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jackson
Thu, Apr 23, 12:20 PM EDT
Return by in Grand Rapids
Thu, Apr 23, 2:17 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grand Rapids
2026-04-23T10:23
Arrive Jackson
Thu, Apr 23, 12:20 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:57 AM to 11:57 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:36 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
Eagle
MI

Human settlement in Clinton County, Michigan, United States of America

From Grand Rapids
52.5 mi
00h 58m
To Jackson
52.6 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Fulton Street West

    17 m · 10 sec · Fulton Street West

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Division Avenue North

    2034 ft · 1 min · Division Avenue North

  3. 3

    Continue on Division Avenue Northeast

    609 ft · 18 sec · Division Avenue Northeast

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Michigan Street Northeast

    71 m · 11 sec · Michigan Street Northeast

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 196 East: Lansing

    651 ft · 16 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Gerald R Ford Freeway

    3.9 mi · 4 min · Gerald R Ford Freeway

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    58.8 mi · 1 hr 3 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit

    9.8 mi · 11 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 127 South: Jackson

    2759 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight right

    29.4 mi · 32 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto West Monroe Street

    93 m · 11 sec · West Monroe Street

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Clinton Road

    2189 ft · 44 sec · Clinton Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Lansing Avenue

    3271 ft · 1 min · Lansing Avenue

  14. 14

    Continue on North Blackstone Street

    1209 ft · 31 sec · North Blackstone Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Louis Glick Highway

    3145 ft · 1 min · Louis Glick Highway

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Cooper Street

    722 ft · 15 sec · South Cooper Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Washington Avenue

    83 m · 8 sec · East Washington Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right

    23 m · 5 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
3 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Gerald R Ford Freeway
62.7 mi · 60%
US 127 South
29.9 mi · 28%
I 96 East
9.83 mi · 9%
Lansing Avenue
0.62 mi · 1%
Louis Glick Highway
0.6 mi · 1%
Clinton Road
0.41 mi
Longest Stretch

Gerald R Ford Freeway

Merge slight left

58.8 mi · 01h 03m

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 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.9 mi
81.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Eagle
00h 58m from Grand Rapids
Leave By
2:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Grand Rapids and Mostly Sunny near Jackson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 105.2 miles (169.3 km) and usually takes 01h 57m 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?

Eagle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.5 miles from Grand Rapids and 52.6 miles from Jackson.

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

The direct path is about 81.3 miles (130.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 2:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.99 one way or $27.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Eagle

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

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

RAIL

East Lansing station

26 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road
BUS

Owosso, MI

55 mi away
109 Comstock Street
RAIL

Albion station

62 mi away
300 North Eaton St.
RAIL

Battle Creek Transportation Center

64 mi away
104 Capital Ave. S.W.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 81.29 mi (130.82 km).

Grand Rapids

#1 Grand Rapids

The second most populous city in Michigan.

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

#2 Jackson

City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States

Population32,374
Coordinates42.2458700, -84.4013500
Altitude284
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Rapids (-85.66809, 42.96336)
End: Jackson (-84.40135, 42.24587)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 169 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.71 gal
14.05 L · about $13.99
Round trip
$27.98
7.42 gal · 28.1 L
Estimated CO2
33 kg one way
Round trip: 65.9 kg / 145 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.99 $27.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.78 $31.56
Premium $4.65 $17.27 $34.53
Diesel $5.30 $19.68 $39.36

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

There is no time difference between Grand Rapids and Jackson. The current time is 10:23:13.

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.