How far is Pontiac, MI from Grand Rapids, MI?
The driving distance from Pontiac, MI to Grand Rapids, MI is about 153.4 miles (246.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.6 miles (197.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 23m 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 02h 11m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Pontiac and Grand Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pontiac and Grand Rapids.
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1
Start on North Perry Street
23 m · 10 sec · North Perry Street
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2
Turn left onto East Huron Street
115 m · 13 sec · East Huron Street
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3
Turn right onto North Saginaw Street
697 ft · 15 sec · North Saginaw Street
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4
Turn slight left onto Oakland Avenue
998 ft · 25 sec · Oakland Avenue
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5
Continue on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
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6
Continue on Dixie Highway
8.5 mi · 15 min · Dixie Highway
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7
Take the ramp right
699 ft · 17 sec
-
8
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
4.9 mi · 5 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
1372 ft · 33 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
1182 ft · 25 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 69 West: Lansing
1 mi · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left onto Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
42.7 mi · 43 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
2079 ft · 25 sec
-
15
Keep slight left
3256 ft · 40 sec
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16
Keep slight left
1 km · 40 sec
-
17
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
1428 ft · 29 sec
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
20
Merge slight left
52.1 mi · 56 min
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on Gerald R Ford Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Gerald R Ford Freeway
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown
2637 ft · 1 min
-
23
Continue on Ottawa Avenue Northwest
2177 ft · 1 min · Ottawa Avenue Northwest
-
24
Turn left onto Monroe Center Street Northwest
801 ft · 31 sec · Monroe Center Street Northwest
-
25
Turn right onto Division Avenue North
56 m · 11 sec · Division Avenue North
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26
Turn right onto Fulton Street West
17 m · 2 sec · Fulton Street West
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fulton Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Pontiac and Grand Rapids.
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 WEST
Merge slight left
52.1 mi · 00h 56m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Pontiac and Sunny near Grand Rapids.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Pontiac to Grand Rapids?
The road trip is about 153.4 miles (246.9 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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?
Haslett is a useful midpoint, sitting about 72.5 miles from Pontiac and 80.9 miles from Grand Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.6 miles (197.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 2:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.40 one way or $40.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Pontiac and Sunny near Grand Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Haslett
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 Haslett.
East Lansing station
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Jackson station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Pontiac and Grand Rapids. Straight-line distance: 122.57 mi (197.25 km).
#1 Pontiac
The most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 58,911 |
| Coordinates | 42.6389200, -83.2910500 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Grand Rapids
The second most populous city in Michigan.
| Population | 200,031 |
| Coordinates | 42.9633600, -85.6680900 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Fulton Street (-85.668092, 42.963219)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 247 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.40 | $40.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.01 | $46.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.18 | $50.36 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $28.69 | $57.39 |
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 · May 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.