The Kent County North Transfer Station is located near Rockford, MI off US-131 at 10 Mile Road. Residential drop-off costs $35 flat for pickup trucks and SUVs. Customers must stop at the scale house and follow an 11 mph speed limit on site.
Local Resource Guide · Rockford, MIVisiting a transfer station for the first time can feel a little overwhelming — scales, multiple entrances, and areas for different vehicle types. The Kent County North Transfer Station near Rockford is a well-run facility, but knowing what to expect before you arrive saves real time and stress.
Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of the visit, plus how Neighborly Hauling can save you the trip altogether.
Step-by-Step: Your Visit to the North Transfer Station
Getting There — Entrances
The facility sits just off US-131 at 10 Mile Road near Rockford. There are two ways in:
- 10 Mile Road Entrance — most direct from the highway, best if you’re coming north or south on US-131.
- Merrill Trail Entrance — convenient depending on your direction of travel from the east side.
Facility Layout at a Glance
Once through the entrance, you’ll encounter two main areas immediately:
- Recycling & Hazardous Waste Drop-Off — on the right near the gates. Hazardous waste has limited hours; check the Kent County website before you go.
- Scale House — all customers stop here, residential and commercial. The right-hand scale lane is closest to the building.
Scale House & Fees
- Residential (pickup trucks & SUVs) — $35 flat fee. If you suspect your load is heavier than a standard haul, you can opt for a weigh-in/weigh-out instead.
- Commercial loads — weigh in on arrival, weigh out on exit; pay the difference.
On-Site Rules & Safety
- Speed limit: 11 mph — heavy equipment operates throughout the facility; slow down and watch your surroundings.
- Tarp removal: There’s a designated pull-over area to remove tarps before you reach the unloading bay. Don’t skip this — loose tarps cause delays for everyone.
Residential vs. Commercial Unloading Areas
- Residential section — smaller bays, lower volume, easier for pickups and SUVs with standard loads.
- Commercial section — wider bays, better clearance for trailers and high-volume loads.
Either way, plan to back in to your unloading spot.
Unloading & Exiting
- Unload your materials safely; secure any remaining debris in your vehicle before pulling out.
- If you paid the $35 flat fee: You can use the right-side bypass lane to exit without returning to the scale.
- If you weighed in: Return to the scale house to weigh out and settle the balance before leaving.
Rather Not Make the Drive?
The North Transfer Station does a great job — but hauling a load yourself takes a vehicle that can handle it, a working knowledge of the facility, and a free afternoon. For many homeowners, it’s just easier to put a dumpster in the driveway and let us handle the rest.
Four sizes for any project
12, 17, 21, and 25 yard bins sized for driveways and tight West Michigan spaces — drop, fill at your own pace, we pick up.
No scales, no lines, no hauling
We handle everything from delivery to disposal — including the drive to Kent County’s transfer station and waste-to-energy facility.
Driveway protection on every drop
HDPE Rolliskate™ boards under every bin — your driveway stays protected, included at no extra charge.
The Neighborly Difference
Convenience Delivered
Bins delivered straight to your driveway. Fill at your own pace. We haul it away.
Driveway-Friendly Sizes
Built for West Michigan neighborhoods — not the oversized bins that won’t fit in your driveway.
Transparent Pricing
No surprise charges on pickup day. The price you see is the price you pay.
Local & Responsible
We still haul to Kent County’s transfer station and waste-to-energy facility — supporting local landfill reduction goals.
If you’re making the trip yourself, this guide has you covered. If you’d rather skip it, Neighborly Hauling makes cleanup simple, affordable, and stress-free — delivered to your driveway across Grand Rapids and surrounding West Michigan communities.
