How far is Lansing, MI from Waterford, MI?

The driving distance from Lansing, MI to Waterford, MI is about 66.1 miles (106.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58.1 miles (93.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 58m 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
66.08 mi
01h 29m
Flight
58.13 mi
93.55 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
58.13 mi
Kilometers
93.55 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
66.08 mi
Kilometers
106.35 km
Drive Time
01h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Waterford
Thu, Apr 23, 6:37 AM EDT
Return by in Lansing
Thu, Apr 23, 8:06 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lansing
2026-04-23T05:07
Arrive Waterford
Thu, Apr 23, 6:37 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:29 AM to 11:29 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:32 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
Howell
MI

Human settlement in Livingston County, Michigan, United States of America

From Lansing
33 mi
00h 44m
To Waterford
33.1 mi
00h 44m

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
3 to 9 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    26.2 mi · 28 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 96 Business, M 59: Howell, Pontiac

    29.5 mi · 42 min

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Williams Lake Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Williams Lake Road

  14. 14

    Turn left onto David K Drive

    1626 ft · 1 min · David K Drive

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · David K Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 96 Business
29.5 mi · 45%
I 96 East
27.1 mi · 41%
I 496 EAST
3.49 mi · 5%
Williams Lake Road
3.07 mi · 5%
East Michigan Avenue
2.09 mi · 3%
South Howard Avenue
0.32 mi
Longest Stretch

I 96 Business

Take the exit slight right toward I 96 Business, M 59: Howell, Pontiac

29.5 mi · 00h 42m

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 29m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8 mi
58.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Howell
00h 44m from Lansing
Leave By
3:32 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Lansing and Mostly Sunny near Waterford.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 66.1 miles (106.4 km) and usually takes 01h 29m 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?

Howell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33 miles from Lansing and 33.1 miles from Waterford.

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

The direct path is about 58.1 miles (93.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 8 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 3:32 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.79 one way or $17.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Howell

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

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

RAIL

Durand Union Station

34 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Ann Arbor station

39 mi away
325 Depot Street
BUS

Owosso, MI

48 mi away
109 Comstock Street
RAIL

East Lansing station

48 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lansing and Waterford. Straight-line distance: 58.13 mi (93.55 km).

Lansing

#1 Lansing

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

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

#2 Waterford

Charter township in Oakland county, Michigan

Population75,737
Coordinates42.6930300, -83.4118100
Altitude294
CountryUnited States
Start: Lansing (-84.55553, 42.73253)
End: Waterford (-83.41181, 42.69303)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 106 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 39m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 19m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 49m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.33 gal
8.83 L · about $8.79
Round trip
$17.57
4.66 gal · 17.66 L
Estimated CO2
20.7 kg one way
Round trip: 41.4 kg / 91 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $8.79 $17.57
Mid-grade $4.25 $9.91 $19.82
Premium $4.65 $10.84 $21.69
Diesel $5.30 $12.36 $24.72

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 Waterford. The current time is 05:07:46.

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.