How far is Lansing, MI from Gaylord, MI?

The driving distance from Lansing, MI to Gaylord, MI is about 171.9 miles (276.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 59m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
171.85 mi
02h 59m
Flight
158.68 mi
255.37 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lansing.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
158.68 mi
Kilometers
255.37 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
171.85 mi
Kilometers
276.57 km
Drive Time
02h 59m

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 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gaylord
Wed, Apr 29, 5:21 AM EDT
Return by in Lansing
Wed, Apr 29, 8:21 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lansing
2026-04-29T02:21
Arrive Gaylord
Wed, Apr 29, 5:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lansing
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Clare
MI

Town in Michigan

From Lansing
85.9 mi
01h 29m
To Gaylord
85.9 mi
01h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph N
Destination
50°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    3094 ft · 1 min · West Main Street

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 127 North
168 mi · 98%
East Saginaw Street
1.78 mi · 1%
West Main Street
0.59 mi
North Larch Street
0.5 mi
East Michigan Avenue
0.38 mi
M 32
0.29 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 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.

Drive Time
02h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
06h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.2 mi
158.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clare
01h 29m from Lansing
Leave By
12:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Lansing and Partly Sunny near Gaylord.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 171.9 miles (276.6 km) and usually takes 02h 59m 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?

Clare is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Lansing and 85.9 miles from Gaylord.

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

The direct path is about 158.7 miles (255.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 12:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.89 one way or $45.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Lansing and Partly Sunny near Gaylord.

Stop Ideas Near Clare

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

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

BUS

Big Rapids, Michigan

59 mi away
14342 Northland Dr.
BUS

Reed City, Michigan

60 mi away
US 10 & 220th Ave.
BUS

Cadillac, Michigan

71 mi away
1202 North Mitchell St.
BUS

Howard City, Michigan

74 mi away
130 North Ensley St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and Gaylord. Straight-line distance: 158.68 mi (255.37 km).

Lansing

#1 Lansing

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

Population112,640
Coordinates42.7325300, -84.5555300
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Gaylord

#2 Gaylord

City in Michigan, United States

Population3,665
Coordinates45.0275100, -84.6747500
Altitude411
CountryUnited States
Start: Lansing (-84.55553, 42.73253)
End: Gaylord (-84.67475, 45.02751)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 277 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.07 gal
22.96 L · about $22.89
Round trip
$45.78
12.14 gal · 45.92 L
Estimated CO2
53.9 kg one way
Round trip: 107.9 kg / 238 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.89 $45.78
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.82 $51.63
Premium $4.65 $28.25 $56.50
Diesel $5.30 $32.20 $64.39

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Lansing and Gaylord. The current time is 02:21:47.

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.