How far is Torch Lake, MI from Lansing, MI?

The driving distance from Torch Lake, MI to Lansing, MI is about 197.6 miles (318 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 166.7 miles (268.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
197.6 mi
03h 12m
Flight
166.73 mi
268.33 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Torch Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
166.73 mi
Kilometers
268.33 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
197.6 mi
Kilometers
318 km
Drive Time
03h 12m

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 12m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Lansing
Wed, May 13, 12:11 AM EDT
Return by in Torch Lake
Wed, May 13, 3:24 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Torch Lake
2026-05-12T20:59
Arrive Lansing
Wed, May 13, 12:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 12m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:13 AM to 11:13 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:34 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Torch Lake
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Harrison
MI

City in the U.

From Torch Lake
101.4 mi
01h 36m
To Lansing
96.2 mi
01h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
Torch Lake Weather
MI
Live fallback forecast
34°F
Overnight
Using Central Lake as the closest live forecast in the Antrim County weather hub.

Widespread Frost

Starts
Tue, May 12 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph SE
Destination
63°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Torch Lake and Lansing.

  1. 1

    Start on Public Dock Road

    19 m · 9 sec · Public Dock Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North US 31 Highway

    6.8 mi · 9 min · North US 31 Highway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Cairn Highway

    3.6 mi · 9 min · Cairn Highway

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Cherry Avenue

    7.1 mi · 10 min · Cherry Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue on Crystal Beach Road Northwest

    3052 ft · 2 min · Crystal Beach Road Northwest

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Aarwood Road Northwest

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Aarwood Road Northwest

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Rapid City Road Northwest

    5.6 mi · 9 min · Rapid City Road Northwest

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left onto M-72 West

    3.5 mi · 5 min · M-72 West

  9. 9

    Continue on West Mile Road Northwest

    1.6 km · 2 min · West Mile Road Northwest

  10. 10

    Turn right onto North Cedar Street

    2 mi · 4 min · North Cedar Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto M-72 West

    23.3 mi · 32 min · M-72 West

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North James Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · North James Street

  14. 14

    Take the exit straight toward I 75 South

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on US 127: Clare, Lansing

    137.3 mi · 2 hr 20 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing

    3233 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto Ransom E Olds Freeway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Downtown

    1488 ft · 38 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Walnut Street

    2269 ft · 1 min · South Walnut Street

  20. 20

    Turn right onto West Allegan Street

    126 m · 12 sec · West Allegan Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Townsend Street

    7 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Townsend Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Torch Lake 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
22 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 127
137 mi · 70%
M-72 West
27.9 mi · 14%
Cherry Avenue
7.06 mi · 4%
North US 31 Highway
6.82 mi · 3%
Rapid City Road Northwest
5.6 mi · 3%
I 75 South
4.18 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 127

Keep slight right to continue on US 127: Clare, Lansing

137 mi · 02h 20m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 12m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.9 mi
166.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Harrison
01h 36m from Torch Lake
Leave By
10:34 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost leaving Torch Lake and Chance Rain Showers near Lansing.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Torch Lake to Lansing?

The road trip is about 197.6 miles (318 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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?

Harrison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.4 miles from Torch Lake and 96.2 miles from Lansing.

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

The direct path is about 166.7 miles (268.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.9 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 10:34 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.28 one way or $52.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost around Torch Lake and Chance Rain Showers near Lansing.

Stop Ideas Near Harrison

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

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

BUS

Cadillac, Michigan

56 mi away
1202 North Mitchell St.
BUS

Reed City, Michigan

59 mi away
US 10 & 220th Ave.
BUS

Manton, Michigan

63 mi away
Junction U.S. 131 & M-42
BUS

Big Rapids, Michigan

65 mi away
14342 Northland Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Torch Lake and Lansing. Straight-line distance: 166.73 mi (268.33 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Torch Lake

Township in Antrim County, Michigan

Population1,806
Coordinates45.0752800, -85.3586800
Altitude188
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: Public Dock Road (-85.358676, 45.07529)
End: West Allegan Street (-84.555529, 42.732588)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 318 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 56m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.97 gal
26.39 L · about $26.28
Round trip
$52.57
13.94 gal · 52.78 L
Estimated CO2
61.9 kg one way
Round trip: 123.9 kg / 273 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.28 $52.57
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.64 $59.29
Premium $4.65 $32.44 $64.88
Diesel $5.30 $36.97 $73.94

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Torch Lake and Lansing. The current time is 20:59:04.

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.