How far is Lansing, MI from Southgate, MI?

The driving distance from Lansing, MI to Southgate, MI is about 96.7 miles (155.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 78.1 miles (125.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 51m 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
96.68 mi
01h 55m
Flight
78.1 mi
125.69 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
78.1 mi
Kilometers
125.69 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
96.68 mi
Kilometers
155.59 km
Drive Time
01h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Southgate
Thu, Apr 23, 4:07 AM EDT
Return by in Lansing
Thu, Apr 23, 6:03 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lansing
2026-04-23T02:12
Arrive Southgate
Thu, Apr 23, 4:07 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:56 AM to 11:56 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:38 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
Brighton
MI

Suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States

From Lansing
48.3 mi
00h 57m
To Southgate
48.4 mi
00h 57m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    2.1 mi · 5 min · East Michigan Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto South Howard Avenue

    1240 ft · 36 sec · South Howard Avenue

  7. 7

    Take the ramp straight

    134 m · 11 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 496 EAST, US 127 SOUTH

    735 ft · 18 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    3.4 mi · 4 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight left toward I 96 East: Detroit

    1.4 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Merge slight right

    56.1 mi · 1 hr

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo

    2832 ft · 35 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    2422 ft · 30 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    21.3 mi · 23 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Metro Airport

    2726 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Eureka Road

    9.4 mi · 15 min · Eureka Road

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Dix-Toledo Highway

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Dix-Toledo Highway

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dix-Toledo Highway

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
18.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 96 East
57 mi · 59%
I 96
22.3 mi · 23%
Eureka Road
9.37 mi · 10%
I 496 EAST
3.49 mi · 4%
East Michigan Avenue
2.09 mi · 2%
Dix-Toledo Highway
1.37 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
01h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.6 mi
78.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brighton
00h 57m from Lansing
Leave By
2:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lansing and Mostly Sunny near Southgate.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 96.7 miles (155.6 km) and usually takes 01h 55m 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 48.3 miles from Lansing and 48.4 miles from Southgate.

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

The direct path is about 78.1 miles (125.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.86 one way or $25.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lansing and Mostly Sunny near Southgate.

Stop Ideas Near Brighton

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

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

RAIL

Ann Arbor station

27 mi away
325 Depot Street
RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

42 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Durand Union Station

45 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

48 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and Southgate. Straight-line distance: 78.1 mi (125.69 km).

Lansing

#1 Lansing

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

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

#2 Southgate

City in Wayne County in the state of Michigan

Population29,135
Coordinates42.2139300, -83.1938100
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Lansing (-84.55553, 42.73253)
End: Southgate (-83.19381, 42.21393)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 156 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.41 gal
12.91 L · about $12.86
Round trip
$25.72
6.82 gal · 25.82 L
Estimated CO2
30.3 kg one way
Round trip: 60.6 kg / 134 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.86 $25.72
Mid-grade $4.25 $14.50 $29.01
Premium $4.65 $15.87 $31.74
Diesel $5.30 $18.09 $36.17

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Lansing and Southgate. The current time is 02:12:02.

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.