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Trip from Charlevoix, MI to Martins Bluff, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 30m

Distance

42.2 mi

68 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Charlevoix, MI, MI

Charlevoix, MI

fish socks

Downtown Martins Bluff, MI, MI

Martins Bluff, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 42.2-mile journey from Charlevoix to Martins Bluff is a straightforward, one-day adventure within Michigan's Midwest region. With a total duration of about 2 hours and 30 minutes, it's easily manageable as a day trip. The route primarily utilizes the Beaver Island Ferry, King's Highway, and East Side Drive, with no interstate driving involved. Expect a modest fuel cost of around $7 for this drive. The overall feel is that of a local exploration, perfect for those who enjoy scenic, turn-heavy local roads rather than high-speed travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

21.1 miles from Charlevoix, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 42.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

This is a turn-heavy local drive with 0% highway share, meaning you'll be navigating smaller roads for the entire 42.2 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 32.7 miles on the Beaver Island Ferry, which is a unique part of this route. As you progress, the road character remains consistent, focusing on local connectivity rather than high-speed transit. Be prepared for frequent turns and a more intimate driving experience as you explore the local landscape.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Beaver Island Ferry is the longest continuous segment at about 32.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 32.8 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 32.9 miles (Forest Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

5
32.8 mi into trip | ~2h in | Main Street

Turn left onto Main Street

Navigation decision point

4
32.9 mi into trip | ~2h in | Forest Avenue

Turn right onto Forest Avenue

Navigation decision point

4
38 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in | Tom McCauley's Road

Turn left onto Tom McCauley's Road

Navigation decision point

4
42 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Beaver Island Ferry 32.7 mi 1h 59m
King's Highway 5 mi 12m
East Side Drive 3 mi 11m
Tom McCauley's Road 1 mi 3m
Main Street 0.1 mi <1m
Forest Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Bridge Park Drive <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Beaver Island Ferry — 32.7 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Charlevoix, MI and Martins Bluff, MI.

1

Start on Bridge Park Drive

37 ft · 5 sec · Bridge Park Drive
2

Turn left

151 ft · 11 sec
3

Continue on Beaver Island Ferry

33 mi · 1 hr 59 min · Beaver Island Ferry
4

Continue

224 ft · 21 sec
5

Turn left onto Main Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Main Street
6

Turn right onto Forest Avenue

380 ft · 15 sec · Forest Avenue
7

Turn left onto King's Highway

5.0 mi · 12 min · King's Highway
8

Turn left onto Tom McCauley's Road

1.0 mi · 3 min · Tom McCauley's Road
9

Turn right onto East Side Drive

3.0 mi · 11 min · East Side Drive
10

Turn left

252 ft · 20 sec
11

Turn left

0.2 mi · 1 min
12

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the short distance and 2-hour 30-minute duration, this route offers significant flexibility. You can depart anytime, but an early start allows for ample time to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. The single recommended stop suggests a relaxed pace. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before boarding the Beaver Island Ferry, as services might be limited on the island itself. With only 42.2 miles, you have the advantage of easily adjusting your schedule if you discover something interesting along the way.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 21.1 miles from Charlevoix, MI, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.7 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 42 miles or 2h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 21.1 miles or 1h 17m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Martins Bluff, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Charlevoix, 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 Charlevoix, MI

This is one driving day of about 42.2 miles and 2h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Charlevoix, 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 Beaver Island Ferry for about 32.7 miles.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Cafe Meria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Charlevoix, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+18338995364

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Harwood Gold Store & Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Charlevoix, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12314373900

Visit website

Blondies Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Charlevoix, Michigan

0.1 mi

Cafe Meria

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Charlevoix, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+18338995364

Visit website

Harwood Gold Store & Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Charlevoix, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12314373900

Visit website

Blondies Coffee

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Charlevoix, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

Beaver Island Coffee Company

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 33.2

Beaver Island, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

Visit website

East Park

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Charlevoix, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12315473253

Visit website

Beaver Island Toy Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 33.2

Beaver Island, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–4 pm

+12314482480

Visit website

Charlevoix Recreation

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Charlevoix, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+12315473253

Visit website

Fisherman's Island State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Charlevoix, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12315476641

Castle Farms

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Charlevoix, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12312370884

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.60 one way

$13.19 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 15 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $7.24 $14.49
premium $4.89 $8.12 $16.24
diesel $5.61 $9.32 $18.63

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$7

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$32–$57

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 14.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 12.7 0 $4.43 $2.03
Efficient EV 10.6 0 $3.69 $1.69
EV Truck/SUV 16.9 0 $5.91 $2.70

Gas CO2

15 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 17, 2026

Origin

Charlevoix, MI

Afternoon in Charlevoix on Friday

Local time

1:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

36°F

Widespread Fog

0 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 4:30AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued April 17 at 4:30AM EDT until April 18 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI

Destination

Martins Bluff, MI

Afternoon in Martins Bluff on Friday

Local time

1:13 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°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

9 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 30m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Charlevoix, MI to Martins Bluff, MI covers 42.2 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Beaver Island Ferry, King's Highway, East Side Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 21.1 miles from Charlevoix, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.60 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 32.8 miles (Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 32.9 miles (Forest Avenue): Navigation decision point.

The route from Charlevoix, MI to Martins Bluff, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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