How far is Waterford, MI from Grand Rapids, MI?
The driving distance from Waterford, MI to Grand Rapids, MI is about 139.9 miles (225.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 13m 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 06m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterford and Grand Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Grand Rapids.
-
1
Start on David K Drive
785 ft · 40 sec · David K Drive
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2
Turn left onto Graper Drive
674 ft · 35 sec · Graper Drive
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3
Turn left onto Airport Road
3163 ft · 1 min · Airport Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Andersonville Road
1554 ft · 46 sec · Andersonville Road
-
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Dixie Highway
3.7 mi · 6 min · Dixie Highway
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6
Take the ramp right
699 ft · 17 sec
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7
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
4.9 mi · 5 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
1372 ft · 33 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
1182 ft · 25 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 69 West: Lansing
1 mi · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
42.7 mi · 43 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
2079 ft · 25 sec
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14
Keep slight left
3256 ft · 40 sec
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15
Keep slight left
1 km · 40 sec
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16
Merge slight left
7.2 mi · 8 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
1428 ft · 29 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
1.3 mi · 1 min
-
19
Merge slight left
52.1 mi · 56 min
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Gerald R Ford Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Gerald R Ford Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown
2637 ft · 1 min
-
22
Continue on Ottawa Avenue Northwest
2177 ft · 1 min · Ottawa Avenue Northwest
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23
Turn left onto Monroe Center Street Northwest
801 ft · 31 sec · Monroe Center Street Northwest
-
24
Turn right onto Division Avenue North
56 m · 11 sec · Division Avenue North
-
25
Turn right onto Fulton Street West
17 m · 2 sec · Fulton Street West
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fulton Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford 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.
Sunny leaving Waterford 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 Waterford to Grand Rapids?
The road trip is about 139.9 miles (225.2 km) and usually takes 02h 06m 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?
Clinton Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.3 miles from Waterford and 70.6 miles from Grand Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.8 miles (186.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 2:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.63 one way or $37.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 43.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waterford and Sunny near Grand Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Clinton Village
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 Clinton Village.
East Lansing station
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Jackson station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterford and Grand Rapids. Straight-line distance: 115.84 mi (186.43 km).
#1 Waterford
Charter township in Oakland county, Michigan
| Population | 75,737 |
| Coordinates | 42.6930300, -83.4118100 |
| Altitude | 294 |
| 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: 225 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 44m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $18.63 | $37.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.01 | $42.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $22.99 | $45.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $26.20 | $52.40 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.