How far is Grand Rapids, MI from Tawas City, MI?
The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to Tawas City, MI is about 196.2 miles (315.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 140.5 miles (226.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 59m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Rapids and Tawas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids and Tawas City.
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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
3 mi · 4 min · West Lake City Road
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16
Continue on West Houghton Lake Drive
8.9 mi · 13 min · West Houghton Lake Drive
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17
Turn straight onto West Branch Road
18.4 mi · 21 min · West Branch Road
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 Business, M 55 East: West Branch, Tawas City
1688 ft · 44 sec
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19
Turn left onto Tawas Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Tawas Road
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20
Continue on West Houghton Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Houghton Avenue
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21
Continue on Tawas Road
128 m · 14 sec · Tawas Road
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22
Continue on Tawas Road
16.9 mi · 25 min · Tawas Road
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23
Continue on M 55 West
18.2 mi · 27 min · M 55 West
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24
Continue on Hemlock Street
2908 ft · 53 sec · Hemlock Street
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Lake Street
1891 ft · 52 sec · East Lake Street
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26
Turn left
36 m · 6 sec
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27
Turn right
25 m · 4 sec
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28
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Rapids and Tawas City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
US 131 North
Merge slight left
94.8 mi · 01h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Grand Rapids and Chance Rain Showers near Tawas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Rapids to Tawas City?
The road trip is about 196.2 miles (315.8 km) and usually takes 03h 59m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cadillac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98 miles from Grand Rapids and 98.2 miles from Tawas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 140.5 miles (226.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.7 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:00 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.10 one way or $52.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Grand Rapids and Chance Rain Showers near Tawas City.
Stop Ideas Near Cadillac
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 Cadillac.
Cadillac, Michigan
Manton, Michigan
Kingsley, Michigan
Reed City, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and Tawas City. Straight-line distance: 140.51 mi (226.13 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 Tawas City
City in Iosco County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 1,783 |
| Coordinates | 44.2694600, -83.5147000 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tawas City (-83.5147, 44.26946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.10 | $52.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.21 | $64.41 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.70 | $73.41 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.