How far is Lansing, MI from Dayton, MI?
The driving distance from Lansing, MI to Dayton, MI is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.4 miles (131 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 37m 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 02h 18m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lansing and Dayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing and Dayton.
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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
1.9 mi · 4 min · East Saginaw Street
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8
Keep slight left to continue on East Saginaw Street
5 mi · 8 min · East Saginaw Street
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9
Continue on Saginaw Highway
1.1 km · 1 min · Saginaw Highway
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10
Take the ramp straight
1136 ft · 28 sec
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11
Keep slight right
38 mi · 39 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
1999 ft · 49 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North, US 23 North: Saginaw
2460 ft · 1 min
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14
Continue on I 75 North, US 23 North: Saginaw
587 ft · 20 sec
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15
Merge slight left
18.8 mi · 20 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward M 54, M 83: Birch Run, Frankenmuth
914 ft · 29 sec
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17
Turn right onto Birch Run Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Birch Run Road
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18
Turn left onto Gera Road
4.2 mi · 6 min · Gera Road
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19
Continue on South Main Street
2.3 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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20
Continue on South Gera Road
4.4 mi · 7 min · South Gera Road
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21
Turn right onto Holland Avenue
2 mi · 2 min · Holland Avenue
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22
Continue on Sanilac Road
20.8 mi · 24 min · Sanilac Road
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23
Turn left onto South Hurds Corner Road
3.5 mi · 14 min · South Hurds Corner Road
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Hurds Corner Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lansing and Dayton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Saginaw Highway
Keep slight right
38 mi · 00h 39m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Lansing and Mostly Sunny near Dayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lansing to Dayton?
The road trip is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km) and usually takes 02h 18m 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?
Beecher is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53 miles from Lansing and 53.1 miles from Dayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.4 miles (131 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.7 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 1:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.14 one way or $28.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Lansing and Mostly Sunny near Dayton.
Stop Ideas Near Beecher
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 Beecher.
Flint station
Durand Union Station
Lapeer station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and Dayton. Straight-line distance: 81.43 mi (131.05 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 Dayton
Township of Tuscola County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 1,755 |
| Coordinates | 43.4616900, -83.2874500 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dayton (-83.28745, 43.46169)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 171 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 19m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $14.14 | $28.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.95 | $31.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $17.45 | $34.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $19.89 | $39.78 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.