How far is Ludington, MI from Lansing, MI?

The driving distance from Ludington, MI to Lansing, MI is about 163.1 miles (262.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 26m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 127.4 miles (205 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 52m 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
163.11 mi
02h 26m
Flight
127.37 mi
204.98 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ludington.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
127.37 mi
Kilometers
204.98 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
163.11 mi
Kilometers
262.5 km
Drive Time
02h 26m

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 26m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lansing
Wed, Apr 22, 11:42 PM EDT
Return by in Ludington
Thu, Apr 23, 2:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ludington
2026-04-22T21:16
Arrive Lansing
Wed, Apr 22, 11:42 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 26m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:26 AM to 12:26 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ludington
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
Coopersville
MI

City in Ottawa County, Michigan, United States of America

From Ludington
79.9 mi
01h 13m
To Lansing
83.2 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Ludington Weather
MI
Live fallback forecast
64°F
Wednesday
Using Amber as the closest live forecast in the Mason County weather hub.

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NNE
Destination
68°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    21 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Ludington Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Ludington Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on East Ludington Avenue

    2597 ft · 1 min · East Ludington Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on West US Highway 10

    3046 ft · 1 min · West US Highway 10

  5. 5

    Turn right onto South Pere Marquette Highway

    2.9 mi · 4 min · South Pere Marquette Highway

  6. 6

    Take the ramp right toward US 31 South: Muskegon

    1850 ft · 45 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    50 mi · 51 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    6.3 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 96: Grand Rapids, Lansing

    1424 ft · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    89.6 mi · 1 hr 36 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward BL I 96: Grand River Ave

    1906 ft · 49 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto West Grand River Avenue

    5.7 mi · 9 min · West Grand River Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

    1.2 km · 2 min · North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

  14. 14

    Continue on North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard

  15. 15

    Continue on North Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

    1481 ft · 39 sec · North Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn left onto West Allegan Street

    3135 ft · 1 min · West Allegan Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Townsend Street

    7 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street

Car Route Details

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

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
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 96
89.9 mi · 55%
US 31 South
56.6 mi · 35%
West Grand River Avenue
5.75 mi · 4%
South Pere Marquette Highway
2.95 mi · 2%
North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard
1.62 mi · 1%
West Ludington Avenue
0.8 mi
Longest Stretch

I 96

Merge slight left

89.6 mi · 01h 36m

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 26m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+35.7 mi
127.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Coopersville
01h 13m from Ludington
Leave By
1:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Ludington and Sunny near Lansing.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 163.1 miles (262.5 km) and usually takes 02h 26m 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?

Coopersville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.9 miles from Ludington and 83.2 miles from Lansing.

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

The direct path is about 127.4 miles (205 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 1:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.72 one way or $43.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ludington and Sunny near Lansing.

Stop Ideas Near Coopersville

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Coopersville and the surrounding midpoint area.
Former City Hall Site
Scenic stop 13.7 mi away

Former City Hall Site

Grand Rapids , MI
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews Historical landmark
Hudsonville City Hall
Meeting point 13.1 mi away

Hudsonville City Hall

Hudsonville , MI
3275 Central Blvd, Hudsonville, MI 49426
Rating 4.4/5 19 reviews City government office,City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coopersville.

RAIL

Vernon J. Ehlers Station

24 mi away
431 Wealthy St. SW
BUS

Rockford, Michigan

31 mi away
US 131 & 10 Mile Road NE
RAIL

Holland station

33 mi away
171 Lincoln Ave.
BUS

Howard City, Michigan

53 mi away
130 North Ensley St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ludington and Lansing. Straight-line distance: 127.37 mi (204.98 km).

Ludington

#1 Ludington

City in Mason County, Michigan, United States

Population8,096
Coordinates43.9552800, -86.4525800
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Lansing

#2 Lansing

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

Population112,640
Coordinates42.7325300, -84.5555300
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Start: (-86.452551, 43.955281)
End: West Allegan Street (-84.555529, 42.732588)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 263 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.76 gal
21.79 L · about $21.72
Round trip
$43.44
11.52 gal · 43.58 L
Estimated CO2
51.2 kg one way
Round trip: 102.4 kg / 226 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.72 $43.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.50 $48.99
Premium $4.65 $26.81 $53.61
Diesel $5.30 $30.55 $61.10

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 Ludington and Lansing. The current time is 21:16:33.

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.