This 35.4-mile drive from Clinton Township to Dryden, Michigan, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 53 minutes. With a modest fuel cost estimate of $6, it's an economical option for a quick excursion. The route primarily utilizes Christopher Columbus Freeway and Hall Road, with a notable 59% highway share, making it a convenient local journey within the Midwest. Given its short duration, this trip is ideal as a day trip, allowing for a flexible schedule and no need to plan an overnight stay. It offers a practical way to travel between two points in Michigan without a significant time commitment.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 53m. Total distance: 35.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this 53-minute journey, with 59% of the route on highways. You'll spend a good portion of your time on the Christopher Columbus Freeway, including a continuous stretch of 20.7 miles. As you transition from the freeway onto roads like Hall Road and eventually Dryden Road, the character of the drive will shift. While not exclusively a high-speed affair, the freeway segments provide efficient travel, balanced by the more local feel of the latter parts of the route. This blend means you'll experience both quicker travel and a more grounded, in-state feel as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Christopher Columbus Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 20.7 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 Effort7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 35.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.
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 12 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
8
8.3 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward M 53 North: Imlay City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward M 53 North: Imlay City
6
31.9 mi into trip|~45m in|Dryden Road
Turn left onto Dryden Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Dryden, MI, road signs point toward M 59 West and M 53 North: Imlay City.
M 59 West
4.3 mi in|~8m
M 53 North: Imlay City
8.3 mi in|~15m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Christopher Columbus Freeway
20.7 mi
25m
Hall Road
4 mi
6m
Dryden Road
3.3 mi
8m
North Van Dyke Road
1.8 mi
2m
Cass Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Romeo Plank Road
1.2 mi
1m
Moravian Drive
1.2 mi
2m
South Main Street
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Christopher Columbus Freeway
— 20.7 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton Township, MI and Dryden, 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 WestUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto M 59
3.9 mi·6 min·Hall Road
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward M 53 North: Imlay CityUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto M 53
21 mi·25 min·Christopher Columbus Freeway
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on M 53
0.9 mi·1 min·South Main Street
15
Turn left onto M 53
1.8 mi·2 min·North Van Dyke Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto Dryden Road
3.3 mi·8 min·Dryden Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on East Main Street
526 ft·14 sec·East Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.7 mi from Clinton Township, MI
· 26m into the drive
The midpoint is around 17.7 miles from Clinton Township, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dryden, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Dryden, MI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.53 one way
$11.07 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg12 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$6.08
$12.15
premium
$4.89
$6.81
$13.62
diesel
$5.61
$7.82
$15.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 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
10.6
0
$3.72
$1.70
Efficient EV
8.9
0
$3.10
$1.42
EV Truck/SUV
14.2
0
$4.96
$2.27
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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 16, 2026
Origin
Clinton Township, MI
Evening
in Clinton Township on Thursday
Local time
5:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph85% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:21PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 16 at 1:53PM EDT until April 17 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Dryden, MI
Evening
in Dryden on Thursday
Local time
5:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
33°F
Washington, MI
18 mi in
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
31 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
53m 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 Clinton Township, MI to Dryden, MI covers 35.4 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Christopher Columbus Freeway, Hall Road, Dryden Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.7 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 $5.53 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 35.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 53m.
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 Dryden, MI, road signs point toward M 59 West and M 53 North: Imlay City.
