How far is Southfield, MI from Big Rapids, MI?
The driving distance from Southfield, MI to Big Rapids, MI is about 196.7 miles (316.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 142 miles (228.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Southfield and Big Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southfield and Big Rapids.
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1
Start on West 10 Mile Road
1 mi · 2 min · West 10 Mile Road
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2
Turn right onto Northwestern Highway
1232 ft · 26 sec · Northwestern Highway
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3
Take the ramp slight left toward M 10 North
961 ft · 23 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight left toward I 696 West: Lansing
2310 ft · 56 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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7
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
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8
Keep slight left
54.8 mi · 59 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 West: Grand Rapids
53.7 mi · 58 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
5.7 mi · 6 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids
1399 ft · 48 sec
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12
Merge slight left
48.9 mi · 50 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward M 20: Big Rapids
2461 ft · 1 min
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14
Turn right onto Perry Avenue
1.7 mi · 3 min · Perry Avenue
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15
Turn left onto South State Street
1.2 km · 2 min · South State Street
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16
Turn right onto Maple Street
39 m · 6 sec · Maple Street
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17
Turn right
34 m · 10 sec
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18
Turn left
5 m · 1 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Southfield and Big 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.
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Keep slight left
54.8 mi · 00h 59m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Southfield and Partly Sunny near Big Rapids.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Southfield to Big Rapids?
The road trip is about 196.7 miles (316.5 km) and usually takes 03h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Portland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.2 miles from Southfield and 98.5 miles from Big Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 142 miles (228.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.17 one way or $52.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Southfield and Partly Sunny near Big Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Portland
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 Portland.
East Lansing station
Rockford, Michigan
Owosso, MI
Vernon J. Ehlers Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Southfield and Big Rapids. Straight-line distance: 142.07 mi (228.64 km).
#1 Southfield
A city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 72,174 |
| Coordinates | 42.4733700, -83.2218700 |
| Altitude | 208 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Big Rapids
City in the U.
| Population | 10,408 |
| Coordinates | 43.6980800, -85.4836600 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| Country | United States |
End: Big Rapids (-85.48366, 43.69808)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 316 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.17 | $52.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.52 | $59.03 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.30 | $64.60 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.81 | $73.62 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.