Trip from Clinton Township, MI to Carlton, MI

Drive Time

2h 44m

Distance

135.4 mi

218 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 33m ★

6 AM

2h 44m

8 AM

3h 6m

10 AM

2h 52m

12 PM

2h 50m

3 PM

2h 53m

5 PM

3h 5m

8 PM

2h 38m

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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Clinton Township, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Clinton Township to Carlton, expect a straightforward journey covering 135.4 miles across the Michigan Midwest. You should budget approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes for the drive, making it a manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of about $21, this route is highly efficient for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary complexity. You will primarily utilize I-96, the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, and East Mount Hope Highway to navigate between these two points. Since the entire trip takes place within the state of Michigan, the transition between regions is seamless and familiar. Overall, this is a practical, highway-focused drive that works well for a quick getaway or a necessary commute.

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

67.7 miles from Clinton Township, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-heavy experience, as roughly 68% of your journey is spent on major thoroughfares. The road feels like a consistent interstate grind, providing a predictable pace for the majority of the 135.4-mile distance. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-96, where you can settle in for 56.8 miles of steady driving. While the transition from the Walter P. Reuther Freeway to local segments like East Mount Hope Highway offers a change in traffic density, the route remains focused on efficiency rather than technical curves. Behind the wheel, you will notice a transition from busy freeway corridors to more localized road networks as you approach Carlton.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. 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 Moravian Drive.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 135.4 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 (Moravian Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Harrington Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 52.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

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

0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | Moravian Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive

Navigation decision point

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | Harrington Street

Turn right onto Harrington Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

52.5 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

91.4 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Take the exit toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 106B Toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing

94.9 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in | I 496 / Ransom E Olds Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 496 / Ransom E Olds Freeway toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Clinton Township, MI to Carlton, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Creyts Road North along the way.

Creyts Road North

101.7 mi in | ~1h 56m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 96	56.8 mi	1h
Walter P Reuther Freeway	25.5 mi	27m
East Mount Hope Highway	19 mi	25m
Ransom E Olds Freeway	9.6 mi	10m
South Groesbeck Highway	7.3 mi	11m
West Saint Joseph Highway	3 mi	4m
East M-43 Highway	3 mi	4m
East Carlton Center Road	3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 96 — 56.8 mi, about 1h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Red Oaks Drive

289 ft · 17 sec · Red Oaks Drive

Turn left onto White Oaks Drive

0.2 mi · 55 sec · White Oaks Drive

At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive

0.1 mi · 16 sec · Moravian Drive

Turn right onto Harrington Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Harrington Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto M 97

7.3 mi · 11 min · South Groesbeck Highway

Use the none lane.

Turn right onto East 11 Mile Road

0.5 mi · 59 sec · East 11 Mile Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 696 West

Merge onto I 696

25 mi · 27 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 96

18 mi · 19 min · I 96

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

39 mi · 41 min · I 96

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 106B Toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing

Merge onto I 496; US 127

2.8 mi · 3 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 496

6.7 mi · 7 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway

Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Exit 1B Toward Creyts Road North

Turn right onto South Creyts Road

0.3 mi · 44 sec · South Creyts Road

Turn left onto West Saint Joseph Highway

3.0 mi · 4 min · West Saint Joseph Highway

Turn left onto Nixon Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Nixon Road

Turn right onto East Mount Hope Highway

19 mi · 25 min · East Mount Hope Highway

Continue on East Barnum Road

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Barnum Road

Turn right onto Velte Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Velte Road

Turn left onto M 43

0.5 mi · 41 sec · East Carlton Center Road

Continue on M 43

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Broadway Street

Continue on M 43

2.5 mi · 3 min · East Carlton Center Road

Continue on M 43

3.0 mi · 4 min · East M-43 Highway

Turn right onto Usborne Road

69 ft · 1 sec · Usborne Road

Arrive at destination

Usborne Road

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning to avoid peak traffic hours will keep your transit time closer to the 2 hour and 44 minute mark. You only need to build in one planned stop to stay refreshed, as the distance is short enough to cover in a single sitting. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the long 56.8-mile stretch on I-96, as service areas can be spaced out. Since this route is heavily dependent on highway infrastructure, check local traffic reports before you leave to ensure the freeways are clear. Taking advantage of the mid-trip stop is a great way to break up the monotonous highway segments and ensure you arrive in Carlton feeling alert.

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 67.7 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 1h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.8 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.7 miles or 1h 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 2h 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carlton, 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 135.4 miles and 2h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 96 for about 56.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.7 mi from Clinton Township, MI · 1h 18m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ann Arbor, MI

68 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

Michigan Center, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ann Arbor, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.7 miles from Clinton Township, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Carlton, MI

The final approach into Carlton, 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 Carlton, 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

$20.57 one way

$41.13 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$22.67	$45.34
premium	$4.80	$25.56	$51.12
diesel	$5.64	$30.08	$60.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	40.6	$14.22	$6.50
Efficient EV	33.9	$11.85	$5.42
EV Truck/SUV	54.2	$18.96	$8.67

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Clinton Township, MI

Evening in Clinton Township on Sunday

Local time

6:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carlton, MI

Evening in Carlton on Sunday

Local time

6:49 PM

EDT

Current temp

71°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

23 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 44m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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 Carlton, MI covers 135.4 miles and takes about 2h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, East Mount Hope Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 67.7 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 $20.57 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.

On the drive from Clinton Township, MI to Carlton, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Creyts Road North along the way.

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