How far is Lansing, MI from Melvindale, MI?
The driving distance from Lansing, MI to Melvindale, MI is about 90 miles (144.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.9 miles (123.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 38m 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 49m.
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.
Chance Snow Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lansing and Melvindale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lansing and Melvindale.
-
1
Start on Townsend Street
7 m · 3 sec · Townsend Street
-
2
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
861 ft · 32 sec · West Allegan Street
-
3
Turn left onto Washington Square South
103 m · 12 sec · Washington Square South
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Michigan Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · East Michigan Avenue
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto East Michigan Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · East Michigan Avenue
-
6
Turn right onto South Howard Avenue
1240 ft · 36 sec · South Howard Avenue
-
7
Take the ramp straight
134 m · 11 sec
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 496 EAST, US 127 SOUTH
735 ft · 18 sec
-
9
Merge slight left
3.4 mi · 4 min
-
10
Take the exit slight left toward I 96 East: Detroit
1.4 km · 2 min
-
11
Merge slight right
56.1 mi · 1 hr
-
12
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
-
13
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · John C Lodge Freeway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward M 39
3081 ft · 1 min
-
15
Merge slight left onto Southfield Freeway
11.2 mi · 15 min · Southfield Freeway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward Oakwood Boulevard
1119 ft · 32 sec
-
17
Turn straight onto Southfield Service Drive
133 m · 22 sec · Southfield Service Drive
-
18
Turn left onto Oakwood Boulevard
1.9 mi · 5 min · Oakwood Boulevard
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Oakwood Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lansing and Melvindale.
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.
Chance Snow Showers leaving Lansing and Chance Rain Showers near Melvindale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lansing to Melvindale?
The road trip is about 90 miles (144.9 km) and usually takes 01h 49m 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 45 miles from Lansing and 45.1 miles from Melvindale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.9 miles (123.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.1 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 2:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.99 one way or $23.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Lansing and Chance Rain Showers near Melvindale.
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 Melvindale. Straight-line distance: 76.88 mi (123.72 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 Melvindale
City in Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 10,184 |
| Coordinates | 42.2825400, -83.1752000 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: Melvindale (-83.1752, 42.28254)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 145 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.99 | $23.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $13.52 | $27.05 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $14.80 | $29.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $16.87 | $33.73 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.