The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Suttons Bay, MI covers 257.1 miles and takes about 5h 1m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 23 BUS, I 75, M 72 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.9 miles on US 23 BUS.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.19 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.5 miles from Ann Arbor, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 1m. Total distance: 257.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 1m highway drive covering 257.1 miles, with most of the trip on US 23 BUS and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 94.9 miles on US 23 BUS.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 23 BUS is the longest continuous segment at about 94.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 BUS and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 257.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188 miles (BL I 75): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street
Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in|US 23 BUS
Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS toward US 23 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 23 North: Flint
5
188 mi into trip|~3h 17m in|BL I 75
Take the exit onto BL I 75 toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayl...
5
214.1 mi into trip|~3h 55m in|US 131; M 72; M 66 / South Cedar Street
At end of road, turn right onto US 131; M 72; M 66 / South Cedar Street
Navigation decision point
6
240.5 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|South Union Street
Turn right onto South Union Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ann Arbor, MI and Suttons Bay, MI, road signs point toward M 72: Downtown Grayling and Traverse City.
M 72: Downtown Grayling
188 mi in|~3h 17m|via BL I 75
Traverse City
188 mi in|~3h 17m|via BL I 75
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 23 BUS
94.9 mi
1h 41m
I 75
90.1 mi
1h 30m
M 72
24.4 mi
33m
South West Bay Shore Drive
14.8 mi
21m
East M 72
8.4 mi
11m
M-72 West
7.7 mi
10m
US 31 North
3.8 mi
6m
East Eighth Street
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 23 BUS
— 94.9 mi, about 1h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Suttons Bay, MI.
1
Start on South State Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·South State Street
2
Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS
0.4 mi·1 min·East Huron Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 23 BUS
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
4
Take the ramp onto US 23 BUS
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 23 BUS
Toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit
5
Merge onto M 14; US 23 BUS
1.1 mi·1 min·M 14; US 23 BUS
6
Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·US 23 BUS
Toward US 23 North: FlintUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
63 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 75; US 23
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
27 mi·27 min·I 75
9
Take the exit onto BL I 75
1.8 mi·4 min·BL I 75
Toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City
10
Turn left onto M 72; M 93
24 mi·33 min·M 72; M 93
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 131; M 72; M 66
2.0 mi·3 min·South Cedar Street
12
Turn left onto M 72
1.0 mi·1 min·West Mile Road Northwest
13
Continue on M 72
7.7 mi·10 min·M-72 West
14
Continue on M 72
7.2 mi·9 min·East M 72
15
Enter roundabout onto M 72
116 ft·1 sec·East M 72
16
Continue on M 72
0.4 mi·46 sec·East M 72
17
Enter roundabout onto M 72
88 ft·3 sec·East M 72
18
Continue on M 72
0.8 mi·1 min·East M 72
19
Turn left onto US 31; M 72
3.8 mi·6 min·US 31 North
20
Continue on US 31; M 72
1.2 mi·2 min·Munson Avenue
21
Turn left onto East Eighth Street
2.2 mi·4 min·East Eighth Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto South Union Street
0.4 mi·57 sec·South Union Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn left onto US 31; M 37; M 72
1.1 mi·2 min·West Grandview Parkway
Use the left lane.
24
Continue on M 22
15 mi·21 min·South West Bay Shore Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Continue on M 22
442 ft·14 sec·North Saint Josephs Avenue
26
Turn right onto East Madison Street
166 ft·10 sec·East Madison Street
27
Turn left onto North Front Street
339 ft·14 sec·North Front Street
28
Arrive at destination
North Front Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128.5 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 57 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.5 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suttons Bay, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ann Arbor, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ann Arbor, MI
This is one driving day of about 257.1 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Ann Arbor, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 23 BUS for about 94.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.5 mi from Ann Arbor, MI
· 2h 18m into the drive
The midpoint is around 128.5 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 23 BUS if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.
Arriving in Suttons Bay, MI
The final approach into Suttons Bay, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Suttons Bay, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacula...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
$25
near mile 257.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.19 one way
$80.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$44.13
$88.26
premium
$4.89
$49.48
$98.95
diesel
$5.61
$56.76
$113.53
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.1
0
$27.00
$12.34
Efficient EV
64.3
0
$22.50
$10.28
EV Truck/SUV
102.8
1
$35.99
$16.45
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Ann Arbor, MI
Afternoon
in Ann Arbor on Thursday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Suttons Bay, MI
Afternoon
in Suttons Bay on Thursday
Local time
4:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
29 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 1m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Suttons Bay, MI covers 257.1 miles and takes about 5h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23 BUS, I 75, M 72. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.5 miles from Ann Arbor, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 257.1 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188 miles (BL I 75): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ann Arbor, MI and Suttons Bay, MI, road signs point toward M 72: Downtown Grayling and Traverse City.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
