How far is Kalamazoo, MI from Ludington, MI?

The driving distance from Kalamazoo, MI to Ludington, MI is about 146.4 miles (235.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 41m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 123 miles (197.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 22m 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
146.36 mi
02h 41m
Flight
122.94 mi
197.86 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Kalamazoo.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
122.94 mi
Kilometers
197.86 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
146.36 mi
Kilometers
235.55 km
Drive Time
02h 41m

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 41m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ludington
Sat, May 2, 12:48 AM EDT
Return by in Kalamazoo
Sat, May 2, 3:29 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Kalamazoo
2026-05-01T22:07
Arrive Ludington
Sat, May 2, 12:48 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 41m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:08 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Kalamazoo
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
Coopersville
MI

City in Ottawa County, Michigan, United States of America

From Kalamazoo
73.2 mi
01h 20m
To Ludington
73.2 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Friday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph NW
Destination
Ludington Weather
MI
Live fallback forecast
46°F
Friday
Using Amber as the closest live forecast in the Mason County weather hub.

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Kalamazoo and Ludington.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kalamazoo and Ludington.

  1. 1

    Start on North Park Street

    1.3 mi · 2 min · North Park Street

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    47.4 mi · 51 min

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight left toward I 96, M 37: Muskegon, Lansing

    2409 ft · 35 sec

  5. 5

    Keep slight left to continue on I 96: Muskegon

    1550 ft · 22 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    993 ft · 14 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight right

    30 mi · 32 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington

    2543 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    55.9 mi · 58 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 31 Business: Ludington

    2596 ft · 1 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto South Pere Marquette Highway

    3.2 mi · 5 min · South Pere Marquette Highway

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West US Highway 10

    3046 ft · 1 min · West US Highway 10

  13. 13

    Continue on East Ludington Avenue

    1.3 mi · 3 min · East Ludington Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left

    34 m · 7 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Kalamazoo and Ludington.

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
15 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 31 North
56.4 mi · 39%
North Park Street
53.4 mi · 36%
I 96
31 mi · 21%
South Pere Marquette Highway
3.24 mi · 2%
East Ludington Avenue
1.29 mi · 1%
West US Highway 10
0.58 mi
Longest Stretch

US 31 North

Merge slight left

55.9 mi · 00h 58m

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
02h 41m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.4 mi
123 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Coopersville
01h 20m from Kalamazoo
Leave By
1:08 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Kalamazoo and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Ludington.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Kalamazoo to Ludington?

The road trip is about 146.4 miles (235.6 km) and usually takes 02h 41m 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?

Coopersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.2 miles from Kalamazoo and 73.2 miles from Ludington.

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

The direct path is about 123 miles (197.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.4 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.46 one way or $38.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Kalamazoo and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Ludington.

Stop Ideas Near Coopersville

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

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

RAIL

Vernon J. Ehlers Station

24 mi away
431 Wealthy St. SW
BUS

Rockford, Michigan

31 mi away
US 131 & 10 Mile Road NE
RAIL

Holland station

33 mi away
171 Lincoln Ave.
BUS

Howard City, Michigan

53 mi away
130 North Ensley St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Kalamazoo and Ludington. Straight-line distance: 122.94 mi (197.86 km).

Kalamazoo

#1 Kalamazoo

The second most populous city in Kalamazoo County, Michigan.

Population76,009
Coordinates42.2917100, -85.5872300
Altitude239
CountryUnited States
Ludington

#2 Ludington

City in Mason County, Michigan, United States

Population8,096
Coordinates43.9552800, -86.4525800
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Kalamazoo (-85.58723, 42.29171)
End: Ludington (-86.45258, 43.95528)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 236 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 55m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 26m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.16 gal
19.55 L · about $19.46
Round trip
$38.92
10.32 gal · 39.1 L
Estimated CO2
45.9 kg one way
Round trip: 91.7 kg / 202 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $19.46 $38.92
Mid-grade $4.25 $21.95 $43.89
Premium $4.65 $24.01 $48.03
Diesel $5.30 $27.37 $54.74

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Kalamazoo and Ludington. The current time is 22:07:13.

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.