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Trip from Clinton Township, MI to Bear Lake, MI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

4h 55m

Distance

241.2 mi

388 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 42m ★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 21m
8 PM
4h 48m

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

Downtown Clinton Township, MI, MI

Clinton Township, MI

fish socks

Downtown Bear Lake, MI, MI

Bear Lake, MI

Zach LeBlanc

Trip Overview

The drive from Clinton Township, MI to Bear Lake, MI covers 241.2 miles and takes about 4h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, US 10, Cadillac Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84.1 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.71 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

120.6 miles from Clinton Township, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 241.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

The drive from Clinton Township, MI to Bear Lake, MI covers 241.2 miles and takes about 4h 55m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 84.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near Cass Avenue.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 241.2 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 1.4 miles (Cass Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (Romeo Plank Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 22 key points

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

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~3m in | Cass Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto Cass Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
3.2 mi into trip | ~6m in | Romeo Plank Road

Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

7
4.3 mi into trip | ~8m in

Take the exit toward M 59 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward M 59 West
5
4.4 mi into trip | ~8m in | M 59 / Hall Road

Merge onto M 59 / Hall Road

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
20.1 mi into trip | ~28m in

Take the exit toward I 75 North: Flint

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 40B Toward I 75 North: Flint

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Clinton Township, MI and Bear Lake, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.

To M 115: Ludington

154.2 mi in | ~2h 50m | via US 10

Cadillac

154.2 mi in | ~2h 50m | via US 10

M 115: Cadillac

161.8 mi in | ~2h 57m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 84.1 mi 1h 30m
US 10 56.9 mi 56m
Cadillac Drive 55.3 mi 1h 16m
Hall Road 15.8 mi 20m
Thirteen Mile Road 15.4 mi 28m
West M-115 Highway 5.8 mi 7m
Cass Avenue 1.6 mi 2m
Romeo Plank Road 1.2 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 84.1 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clinton Township, MI and Bear Lake, MI.

1

Start on Red Oaks Drive

289 ft · 17 sec · Red Oaks Drive
2

Turn left onto White Oaks Drive

0.2 mi · 55 sec · White Oaks Drive
3

At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive

1.2 mi · 2 min · Moravian Drive
4

At end of road, turn left onto Cass Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · Cass Avenue
5

Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road

82 ft · 1 sec · Romeo Plank Road
6

Continue on Romeo Plank Road

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Romeo Plank Road
7

Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road

90 ft · 1 sec · Romeo Plank Road
8

Continue on Romeo Plank Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Romeo Plank Road
9

Turn right onto M 59

501 ft · 8 sec · Hall Road
10

Take the exit

259 ft · 9 sec
Toward M 59 West Use the left lane.
11

Merge onto M 59

16 mi · 20 min · Hall Road
Use the left lane.
12

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 40B Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the slight right lane.
13

Merge onto I 75

33 mi · 35 min · I 75
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

51 mi · 54 min · I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland
16

Continue on US 10

11 mi · 11 min · US 10
17

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

38 mi · 38 min · US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
18

Take the exit onto US 10

7.6 mi · 7 min · US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
19

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward M 115: Cadillac
20

Turn right onto M 115

55 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Cadillac Drive
21

Enter roundabout onto M 37; M 115

129 ft · 1 sec · West M-115 Highway
22

Continue on M 37; M 115

0.5 mi · 50 sec · West M-115 Highway
23

Continue on M 37; M 115

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Mesick Avenue
24

Continue on M 115

5.3 mi · 6 min · West M-115 Highway
25

Turn left onto Harlan Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Harlan Road
26

Turn right onto CR 600

15 mi · 28 min · Thirteen Mile Road
27

Turn left onto US 31

1.0 mi · 2 min · Lake Street
28

Turn left onto Virginia Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Virginia Street
29

Turn right onto Stuart Street

525 ft · 23 sec · Stuart Street
30

Arrive at destination

Stuart 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 120.6 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 53 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.6 miles or 2h 16m 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 47m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Clinton Township, 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 Clinton Township, MI

This is one driving day of about 241.2 miles and 4h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Clinton Township, 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 I 75 for about 84.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 120.6 mi from Clinton Township, MI · 2h 16m into the drive

Downtown Nelson, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Nelson, MI

121 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Flint, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Midland, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.6 miles from Clinton Township, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.1 miles.

Arriving in Bear Lake, MI

The final approach into Bear Lake, 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 Bear Lake, MI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$37.71 one way

$75.42 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $41.40 $82.81
premium $4.89 $46.42 $92.83
diesel $5.61 $53.25 $106.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 72.4 0 $25.33 $11.58
Efficient EV 60.3 0 $21.10 $9.65
EV Truck/SUV 96.5 1 $33.77 $15.44

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 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 15, 2026

Origin

Clinton Township, MI

Afternoon in Clinton Township on Thursday

Local time

1:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Bear Lake, MI

Afternoon in Bear Lake on Thursday

Local time

1:01 PM

EDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

46°F

Nelson, MI

121 mi in

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

12 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

4h 55m 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 Clinton Township, MI to Bear Lake, MI covers 241.2 miles and takes about 4h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, US 10, Cadillac Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 120.6 miles from Clinton Township, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.71 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 22 significant decision points across 241.2 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 1.4 miles (Cass Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (Romeo Plank Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clinton Township, MI and Bear Lake, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.

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