How far is Lansing, MI from Central Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Lansing, MI to Central Lake, MI is about 195.9 miles (315.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 165.3 miles (266 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 03h 51m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lansing and Central Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing and Central Lake.
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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
2002 ft · 1 min · East Michigan Avenue
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6
Turn left onto North Larch Street
2639 ft · 1 min · North Larch Street
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7
Turn right onto East Saginaw Street
1.8 mi · 4 min · East Saginaw Street
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8
Turn left onto North Homer Street
157 m · 16 sec · North Homer Street
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9
Take the ramp straight toward US 127 North
1188 ft · 29 sec
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10
Merge slight left
136.3 mi · 2 hr 19 min
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11
Merge slight right
3.8 mi · 4 min
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City
1.8 mi · 4 min
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13
Turn left
17.6 mi · 25 min
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14
Turn right onto Sigma Road Southeast
2 mi · 4 min · Sigma Road Southeast
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15
Continue on Darragh Road Northeast
10.8 mi · 19 min · Darragh Road Northeast
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16
Continue on South Maple Street
2306 ft · 46 sec · South Maple Street
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17
Merge slight left onto South Williams Street
113 m · 18 sec · South Williams Street
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18
Turn sharp left onto East State Street
2876 ft · 1 min · East State Street
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19
Continue on South M-88 Highway
10.2 mi · 14 min · South M-88 Highway
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20
Continue on South Division Street
2502 ft · 42 sec · South Division Street
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21
Turn straight onto Cayuga/Division Cutoff
95 m · 5 sec · Cayuga/Division Cutoff
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22
Continue on East Cayuga Street
2804 ft · 49 sec · East Cayuga Street
-
23
Turn right onto North Bridge Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North Bridge Street
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24
Continue on South M-88 Highway
6.7 mi · 10 min · South M-88 Highway
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25
Continue on South Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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26
Turn left onto West State Street
43 m · 9 sec · West State Street
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27
Turn left
18 m · 4 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lansing and Central Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lansing and Rain Showers near Central Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lansing to Central Lake?
The road trip is about 195.9 miles (315.3 km) and usually takes 03h 51m 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?
Harrison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.9 miles from Lansing and 97.9 miles from Central Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 165.3 miles (266 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.6 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 9:16 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.06 one way or $52.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Lansing and Rain Showers near Central Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Harrison
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 Harrison.
Cadillac, Michigan
Reed City, Michigan
Manton, Michigan
Big Rapids, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and Central Lake. Straight-line distance: 165.32 mi (266.05 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 Central Lake
City in Antrim County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,238 |
| Coordinates | 45.0700000, -85.2645100 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Lake (-85.26451, 45.07)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.06 | $52.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.39 | $58.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.16 | $64.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.65 | $73.30 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.