How far is Lansing, MI from East Tawas, MI?
The driving distance from Lansing, MI to East Tawas, MI is about 161.4 miles (259.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 119.5 miles (192.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 27m 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 13m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lansing and East Tawas.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing and East Tawas.
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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
46.8 mi · 50 min
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16
Keep slight left
26.6 mi · 27 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
2011 ft · 51 sec
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18
Turn right onto M-61
2.1 mi · 3 min · M-61
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19
Continue on West Cedar Street
3191 ft · 1 min · West Cedar Street
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20
Turn left onto North Main Street
2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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21
Continue on West Huron Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road
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22
Continue on West Center Road
1 km · 1 min · West Center Road
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23
Continue on East Huron Road
26.2 mi · 37 min · East Huron Road
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24
Continue on West Lake Street
2.7 mi · 6 min · West Lake Street
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25
Continue on West Bay Street
3166 ft · 1 min · West Bay Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Bay Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lansing and East Tawas.
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 75 North
Merge slight left
46.8 mi · 00h 50m
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.
Sunny leaving Lansing and Sunny near East Tawas.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lansing to East Tawas?
The road trip is about 161.4 miles (259.7 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.7 miles from Lansing and 80.8 miles from East Tawas.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 119.5 miles (192.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.9 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 10:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.49 one way or $42.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lansing and Sunny near East Tawas.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.
Saginaw, MI
Bay City, MI
Flint station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and East Tawas. Straight-line distance: 119.47 mi (192.27 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 East Tawas
City in Iosco County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 2,721 |
| Coordinates | 44.2794600, -83.4902500 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| Country | United States |
End: East Tawas (-83.49025, 44.27946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 260 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 00m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $21.49 | $42.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $26.53 | $53.06 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $30.23 | $60.47 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.