How far is Grand Rapids, MI from West Ishpeming, MI?
The driving distance from Grand Rapids, MI to West Ishpeming, MI is about 417.6 miles (672.1 km), with a travel time of about 08h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 262.9 miles (423.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 01m 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 08h 00m.
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.
Census-designated place in Cheboygan County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Rapids and West Ishpeming.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Rapids and West Ishpeming.
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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
61.5 mi · 1 hr 11 min · US-2 West
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23
Turn right
17.3 mi · 21 min
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24
Turn sharp left onto M-28
35.1 mi · 42 min · M-28
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25
Continue on Cedar Street
836 ft · 29 sec · Cedar Street
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Munising
59 m · 11 sec · East Munising
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27
Exit the roundabout onto East Munising
2.2 mi · 5 min · East Munising
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28
Continue on M-28
35.8 mi · 42 min · M-28
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29
Continue on Cherry Creek Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Cherry Creek Road
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30
Turn right onto County Road 480
12.5 mi · 19 min · County Road 480
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31
Continue on Rail Street
1945 ft · 36 sec · Rail Street
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32
Turn left onto Division Street
1102 ft · 33 sec · Division Street
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33
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · County Road
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34
Continue on East Division Street
2 mi · 3 min · East Division Street
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35
Turn left onto Greenwood Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · Greenwood Street
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36
Continue on South North Lake Drive
807 ft · 27 sec · South North Lake Drive
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37
Turn left onto Silver Street
610 ft · 29 sec · Silver Street
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38
Turn right onto Center Street
39 m · 6 sec · Center Street
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39
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Center Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Rapids and West Ishpeming.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near West Ishpeming.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Grand Rapids to West Ishpeming?
The road trip is about 417.6 miles (672.1 km) and usually takes 08h 00m 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?
Indian River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 208.6 miles from Grand Rapids and 209 miles from West Ishpeming.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 262.9 miles (423.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 154.7 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 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 $55.58 one way or $111.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 131 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Grand Rapids and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near West Ishpeming.
Stop Ideas Near Indian River
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 Indian River.
Alanson, MI
Pellston, Michigan
Petoskey, Michigan
Cheboygan, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Grand Rapids and West Ishpeming. Straight-line distance: 262.88 mi (423.06 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 West Ishpeming
Census-designated place in Marquette County, Michigan
| Population | 2,662 |
| Coordinates | 46.4835500, -87.7009700 |
| Altitude | 439 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Ishpeming (-87.70097, 46.48355)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 672 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $55.58 | $111.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $62.69 | $125.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $68.60 | $137.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $78.18 | $156.36 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.