How far is West Branch, MI from Grand Rapids, MI?
The driving distance from West Branch, MI to Grand Rapids, MI is about 167.8 miles (270.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.5 miles (185.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 30m 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 45m.
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.
Township in Osceola County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Rain Showers
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between West Branch and Grand Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Branch and Grand Rapids.
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1
Start on North 3rd Street
16 m · 6 sec · North 3rd Street
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2
Turn right onto West Houghton Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · West Houghton Avenue
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3
Continue on Tawas Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Tawas Road
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4
Take the ramp right toward I 75 North, M 55 West: Mackinac Bridge
2498 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left
10.8 mi · 11 min
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6
Keep slight right to continue on M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac
37.7 mi · 53 min
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7
Turn left onto Main Street
2727 ft · 46 sec · Main Street
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8
Continue on Lake Shore
1.1 km · 1 min · Lake Shore
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9
Continue on South Shore Drive
688 ft · 12 sec · South Shore Drive
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10
Continue on Lakeshore Drive
1149 ft · 19 sec · Lakeshore Drive
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11
Continue on South Morey Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · South Morey Road
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12
Turn right onto West Blue Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · West Blue Road
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13
Continue on Watergate Road
4.6 mi · 6 min · Watergate Road
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14
Continue on East M-55 Highway
1.9 mi · 3 min · East M-55 Highway
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15
Take the ramp left
1 km · 1 min
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16
Merge slight left
93.8 mi · 1 hr 35 min
-
17
Take the exit slight left toward I 196 East: Lansing
1720 ft · 47 sec
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18
Merge slight right onto Gerald R Ford Freeway
765 ft · 10 sec · Gerald R Ford Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Ottawa Avenue, Downtown
137 m · 11 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown
127 m · 10 sec
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21
Continue on Ottawa Avenue Northwest
2177 ft · 1 min · Ottawa Avenue Northwest
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22
Turn left onto Monroe Center Street Northwest
801 ft · 31 sec · Monroe Center Street Northwest
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23
Turn right onto Division Avenue North
56 m · 11 sec · Division Avenue North
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24
Turn right onto Fulton Street West
17 m · 2 sec · Fulton Street West
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Fulton Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between West Branch 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.
East M-55 Highway
Merge slight left
93.8 mi · 01h 35m
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.
Widespread Frost then Rain Showers leaving West Branch and Rain Showers Likely near Grand Rapids.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from West Branch to Grand Rapids?
The road trip is about 167.8 miles (270.1 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Le Roy is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.8 miles from West Branch and 88 miles from Grand Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.5 miles (185.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.3 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 1:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.32 one way or $44.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Rain Showers around West Branch and Rain Showers Likely near Grand Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Le Roy
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 Le Roy.
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Manton, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between West Branch and Grand Rapids. Straight-line distance: 115.51 mi (185.89 km).
#1 West Branch
City Michigan
| Population | 2,525 |
| Coordinates | 44.2764100, -84.2386100 |
| Altitude | 291 |
| 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: 270 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.32 | $44.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.18 | $50.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.55 | $55.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.40 | $62.80 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.