Origin
Detroit, MI
Afternoon in Detroit on Thursday
Local time
2:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Detroit, MI to Bear Lake, MI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
248.7 mi
400 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bear Lake, MI
Zach LeBlanc
Trip Overview
The drive from Detroit, MI to Bear Lake, MI covers 248.7 miles and takes about 4h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, US 10, Cadillac Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60 miles on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.88 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
124.3 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 248.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 58m highway drive covering 248.7 miles, with most of the trip on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and US 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 60 miles on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 60 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and US 10. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cadillac Square.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.7 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cadillac Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Monroe Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cadillac Square
Continue onto Cadillac Square toward M 3 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward M 3 North
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Monroe Street
Turn right onto Monroe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Chrysler Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge onto I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway toward I 75 North: Flint
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Flint
5
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75: Saginaw
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Detroit, MI and Bear Lake, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
To M 115: Ludington
161.7 mi in
|
~2h 52m
|
via US 10
Cadillac
161.7 mi in
|
~2h 52m
|
via US 10
M 115: Cadillac
169.2 mi in
|
~3h
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 60 mi | 1h 5m |
| US 10 | 56.9 mi | 56m |
| Cadillac Drive | 55.3 mi | 1h 16m |
| I 75 | 51.3 mi | 54m |
| Thirteen Mile Road | 15.4 mi | 28m |
| West M-115 Highway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Lake Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Mesick Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
— 60 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Bear Lake, MI.
1
Start on Cadillac Square
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Cadillac Square
2
Continue on Cadillac Square
97 ft
·
3 sec
·
Cadillac Square
Toward M 3 North
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight left onto M 3
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Randolph Street
4
Turn right onto Monroe Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Monroe Street
Use the right lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
34 ft
·
1 sec
·
Chrysler Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
7
Merge onto I 375
60 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 162B
Toward US 10 West: Midland
10
Continue on US 10
11 mi
·
11 min
·
US 10
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
12
Take the exit onto US 10
7.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 115: Cadillac
14
Turn right onto M 115
55 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Cadillac Drive
15
Enter roundabout onto M 37; M 115
129 ft
·
1 sec
·
West M-115 Highway
16
Continue on M 37; M 115
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West M-115 Highway
17
Continue on M 37; M 115
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mesick Avenue
18
Continue on M 115
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
West M-115 Highway
19
Turn left onto Harlan Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Harlan Road
20
Turn right onto CR 600
15 mi
·
28 min
·
Thirteen Mile Road
21
Turn left onto US 31
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Street
22
Turn left onto Virginia Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Virginia Street
23
Turn right onto Stuart Street
525 ft
·
23 sec
·
Stuart Street
24
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 124.3 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.3 miles or 2h 15m 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 48m
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 Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI
This is one driving day of about 248.7 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Detroit, 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 Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for about 60 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.3 mi from Detroit, MI · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124.3 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Walter P. Chrysler Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 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
$38.88 one way
$77.76 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $42.69 | $85.38 |
| premium | $4.89 | $47.86 | $95.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $54.91 | $109.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.11 | $11.94 |
| Efficient EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.76 | $9.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.5 | 1 | $34.82 | $15.92 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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.
Destination
Bear Lake, MI
Afternoon in Bear Lake on Thursday
Local time
2:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
37°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
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 58m 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 Detroit, MI to Bear Lake, MI covers 248.7 miles and takes about 4h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, US 10, Cadillac Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.3 miles from Detroit, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.88 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.7 miles you will encounter 18 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cadillac Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Monroe Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Detroit, MI and Bear Lake, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
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