How far is Lansing, MI from Carleton, MI?
The driving distance from Lansing, MI to Carleton, MI is about 95.9 miles (154.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 75.5 miles (121.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lansing and Carleton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing and Carleton.
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1
Start on Townsend Street
7 m · 3 sec · Townsend Street
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2
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
861 ft · 32 sec · West Allegan Street
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3
Turn left onto Washington Square South
103 m · 12 sec · Washington Square South
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4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Michigan Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · East Michigan Avenue
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5
Exit the roundabout onto East Michigan Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · East Michigan Avenue
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6
Turn right onto South Howard Avenue
1240 ft · 36 sec · South Howard Avenue
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7
Take the ramp straight
134 m · 11 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 496 EAST, US 127 SOUTH
735 ft · 18 sec
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9
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight left toward I 96 East: Detroit
1.4 km · 2 min
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11
Merge slight right
56.1 mi · 1 hr
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
2832 ft · 35 sec
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13
Keep slight left
2422 ft · 30 sec
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14
Continue straight
28.3 mi · 30 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Will Carleton Road, Flat Rock
2717 ft · 1 min
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16
Turn right onto Will Carleton Road
87 m · 10 sec · Will Carleton Road
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17
Turn left onto Grafton Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Grafton Road
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18
Turn right onto Monroe Street
2875 ft · 2 min · Monroe Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Monroe Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lansing and Carleton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 96 East
Merge slight right
56.1 mi · 01h 00m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Lansing and Showers And Thunderstorms near Carleton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lansing to Carleton?
The road trip is about 95.9 miles (154.4 km) and usually takes 01h 51m 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?
Brighton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 47.9 miles from Lansing and 48 miles from Carleton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 75.5 miles (121.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.4 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 2:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.75 one way or $25.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Lansing and Showers And Thunderstorms near Carleton.
Stop Ideas Near Brighton
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 Brighton.
Ann Arbor station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Durand Union Station
Troy Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and Carleton. Straight-line distance: 75.47 mi (121.46 km).
#1 Lansing
The capital of Michigan and the county seat of Ingham County.
| Population | 112,640 |
| Coordinates | 42.7325300, -84.5555300 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Carleton
Village in Thayer County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,358 |
| Coordinates | 42.0592100, -83.3907700 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carleton (-83.39077, 42.05921)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 154 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.75 | $25.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.38 | $28.75 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $15.73 | $31.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $17.93 | $35.86 |
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.