How far is Sylvan Lake, MI from Lansing, MI?
The driving distance from Sylvan Lake, MI to Lansing, MI is about 76.5 miles (123.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 62.9 miles (101.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 34m 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 01h 17m.
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.
Human settlement in Livingston County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sylvan Lake and Lansing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sylvan Lake and Lansing.
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1
Start on Orchard Lake Road
17 m · 5 sec · Orchard Lake Road
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2
Turn left onto Middlebelt Road
4.9 mi · 9 min · Middlebelt Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Middlebelt Road
29 m · 2 sec · Middlebelt Road
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4
Exit the roundabout onto Middlebelt Road
3 mi · 5 min · Middlebelt Road
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5
Turn right onto West 12 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · West 12 Mile Road
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6
Turn left onto Orchard Lake Road
92 m · 13 sec · Orchard Lake Road
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 696 West: Lansing
2763 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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9
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
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10
Keep slight left
38.9 mi · 42 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Ransom E Olds Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Ransom E Olds Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown
1488 ft · 38 sec
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15
Turn right onto South Walnut Street
2269 ft · 1 min · South Walnut Street
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16
Turn right onto West Allegan Street
126 m · 12 sec · West Allegan Street
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17
Turn right onto Townsend Street
7 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sylvan Lake and Lansing.
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
38.9 mi · 00h 42m
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.
Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Sylvan Lake and Chance Snow Showers near Lansing.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sylvan Lake to Lansing?
The road trip is about 76.5 miles (123.1 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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 38.7 miles from Sylvan Lake and 37.8 miles from Lansing.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 62.9 miles (101.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 3:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.18 one way or $20.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers around Sylvan Lake and Chance Snow Showers near Lansing.
Stop Ideas Near Howell
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 Howell.
Durand Union Station
Ann Arbor station
Owosso, MI
East Lansing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sylvan Lake and Lansing. Straight-line distance: 62.89 mi (101.21 km).
#1 Sylvan Lake
Human settlement in Oakland County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,840 |
| Coordinates | 42.6114200, -83.3285500 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lansing
The capital of Michigan and the county seat of Ingham County.
| Population | 112,640 |
| Coordinates | 42.7325300, -84.5555300 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Allegan Street (-84.555529, 42.732588)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 123 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $10.18 | $20.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $11.48 | $22.97 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $12.57 | $25.13 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $14.32 | $28.64 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.