How far is Lake, MI from Ann Arbor, MI?

Fastest route

The distance between Lake, MI and Ann Arbor, MI is 148 miles (238.42 kilometers) by car, following the I-94 E route. The drive time is approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. The halfway point is Saline, MI.

Here are some recommended routes from Lake to Ann Arbor by car:

  • Route 1: 2 hours and 26 minutes, 148 miles
    • US-12 E
    • I-94 E
  • Route 2: 2 hours and 43 minutes, 156 miles
    • US-12 E
    • I-94 E
    • US-23 S
  • Route 3: 2 hours and 55 minutes, 164 miles
    • US-12 E
    • I-94 E
    • US-23 S
    • M-14 E
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
158.8 mi
02h 24m
Flight
126.12 mi
202.97 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
126.12 mi
Kilometers
202.97 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
158.8 mi
Kilometers
255.57 km
Drive Time
02h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ann Arbor
Thu, Apr 23, 10:56 AM EDT
Return by in Lake
Thu, Apr 23, 1:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake
2026-04-23T08:31
Arrive Ann Arbor
Thu, Apr 23, 10:56 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:25 AM to 12:25 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:40 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Buena Vista
MI

Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States

From Lake
79.3 mi
01h 12m
To Ann Arbor
79.5 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SSE
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake and Ann Arbor.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake and Ann Arbor.

  1. 1

    Start on Lake Street

    19 m · 5 sec · Lake Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Terry Street

    124 m · 10 sec · Terry Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Gibson Avenue

    1617 ft · 1 min · Gibson Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto West Ludington Drive

    15.7 mi · 17 min · West Ludington Drive

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight left toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City

    46.1 mi · 46 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw

    2040 ft · 39 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    36.3 mi · 39 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on US 23: Ann Arbor

    45.4 mi · 49 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit right toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor

    1.5 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Depot Street

    1969 ft · 1 min · Depot Street

  13. 13

    Turn right

    36 m · 7 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on North State Street

    3204 ft · 1 min · North State Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South State Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake and Ann Arbor.

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
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
47.6 mi · 30%
US 10 EAST
46.1 mi · 29%
US 23
45.4 mi · 29%
West Ludington Drive
15.7 mi · 10%
M 14 West
1.52 mi · 1%
US 23 BUS
0.91 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 10 EAST

Take the exit slight left toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City

46.1 mi · 00h 46m

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 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.7 mi
126.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 12m from Lake
Leave By
1:40 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lake and Mostly Sunny near Ann Arbor.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake to Ann Arbor?

The road trip is about 158.8 miles (255.6 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?

Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.3 miles from Lake and 79.5 miles from Ann Arbor.

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

The direct path is about 126.1 miles (203 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:40 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.12 one way or $42.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lake and Mostly Sunny near Ann Arbor.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

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

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

BUS

Saginaw, MI

3 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Bay City, MI

20 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
RAIL

Flint station

49 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Owosso, MI

52 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake and Ann Arbor. Straight-line distance: 126.12 mi (202.97 km).

Lake

#1 Lake

Township in Roscommon County, Michigan

Population1,198
Coordinates43.8519700, -85.0053100
Altitude324
CountryUnited States
Ann Arbor

#2 Ann Arbor

The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Population119,280
Coordinates42.2775600, -83.7408800
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake Street (-85.005306, 43.851942)
End: South State Street (-83.740762, 42.277562)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 256 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 58m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.6 gal
21.21 L · about $21.12
Round trip
$42.24
11.2 gal · 42.42 L
Estimated CO2
49.8 kg one way
Round trip: 99.5 kg / 219 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.12 $42.24
Mid-grade $4.25 $23.82 $47.63
Premium $4.65 $26.06 $52.12
Diesel $5.30 $29.70 $59.40

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 Lake and Ann Arbor. The current time is 08:31:54.

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.