How far is Lansing, MI from Ashland, MI?

The driving distance from Lansing, MI to Ashland, MI is about 252.8 miles (406.8 km), with a travel time of about 04h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 179.3 miles (288.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
252.75 mi
04h 38m
Flight
179.31 mi
288.57 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lansing.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
179.31 mi
Kilometers
288.57 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
252.75 mi
Kilometers
406.76 km
Drive Time
04h 38m

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 04h 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ashland
Sun, Apr 19, 11:41 AM EDT
Return by in Lansing
Sun, Apr 19, 4:19 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lansing
2026-04-19T07:03
Arrive Ashland
Sun, Apr 19, 11:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:44 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lansing
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Houghton Lake
MI

Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA

From Lansing
126.3 mi
02h 19m
To Ashland
126.4 mi
02h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Sunday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph W
Destination
36°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lansing and Ashland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lansing and Ashland.

  1. 1

    Start on Townsend Street

    7 m · 3 sec · Townsend Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Allegan Street

    861 ft · 32 sec · West Allegan Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Washington Square South

    103 m · 12 sec · Washington Square South

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Michigan Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · East Michigan Avenue

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto East Michigan Avenue

    2002 ft · 1 min · East Michigan Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Larch Street

    2639 ft · 1 min · North Larch Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East Saginaw Street

    1.8 mi · 4 min · East Saginaw Street

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North Homer Street

    157 m · 16 sec · North Homer Street

  9. 9

    Take the ramp straight toward US 127 North

    1188 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    136.3 mi · 2 hr 19 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    31.5 mi · 31 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward M 32: Gaylord, Alpena

    1553 ft · 42 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    13.3 mi · 16 min · West Main Street

  14. 14

    Turn right

    56 mi · 1 hr 5 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Bagley Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Bagley Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Long Rapids Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Long Rapids Road

  17. 17

    Turn left

    9.8 mi · 13 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Long Lake Park Road

    1027 ft · 45 sec · Long Lake Park Road

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Long Lake Park Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lansing and Ashland.

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
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 127 North
168 mi · 66%
West Main Street
13.3 mi · 5%
East Saginaw Street
1.78 mi · 1%
North Bagley Street
1.17 mi
Long Rapids Road
0.96 mi
North Larch Street
0.5 mi
Longest Stretch

US 127 North

Merge slight left

136 mi · 02h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 38m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+73.5 mi
179.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Houghton Lake
02h 19m from Lansing
Leave By
7:44 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Lansing and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Ashland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lansing to Ashland?

The road trip is about 252.8 miles (406.8 km) and usually takes 04h 38m 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?

Houghton Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126.3 miles from Lansing and 126.4 miles from Ashland.

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

The direct path is about 179.3 miles (288.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 73.5 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 7:44 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.64 one way or $67.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Lansing and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Ashland.

Stop Ideas Near Houghton Lake

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

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

BUS

Manton, Michigan

50 mi away
Junction U.S. 131 & M-42
BUS

Cadillac, Michigan

51 mi away
1202 North Mitchell St.
BUS

Kingsley, Michigan

68 mi away
119 E. Main St.
BUS

Reed City, Michigan

77 mi away
US 10 & 220th Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and Ashland. Straight-line distance: 179.31 mi (288.57 km).

Lansing

#1 Lansing

The capital of Michigan and the county seat of Ingham County.

Population112,640
Coordinates42.7325300, -84.5555300
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Ashland

Township in Newaygo County, Michigan

Population2,775
Coordinates45.2030700, -83.4510900
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
Start: Lansing (-84.55553, 42.73253)
End: Ashland (-83.45109, 45.20307)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 407 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.92 gal
33.76 L · about $33.64
Round trip
$67.27
17.84 gal · 67.52 L
Estimated CO2
79.3 kg one way
Round trip: 158.5 kg / 349 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $33.64 $67.27
Mid-grade $4.25 $37.94 $75.87
Premium $4.65 $41.51 $83.03
Diesel $5.30 $47.31 $94.62

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Lansing and Ashland. The current time is 07:03:10.

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.