Trip from Detroit, MI to Flint, MI

Drive Time

1h 16m

Distance

68.2 mi

110 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$10

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 18 min
4 AM
1h 11m ★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 28m
8 PM
1h 13m

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

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Detroit to Flint, you are looking at a straightforward 68.2-mile trip within the Midwest. Expect a driving time of approximately 1 hour and 16 minutes, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With a modest fuel budget of about $10, it is an efficient commute between these two Michigan cities. Because the duration is quite short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or complex itinerary splits. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the simplicity of this route allows for maximum flexibility in your schedule.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

34.1 miles from Detroit, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .

Drive Character

This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 98% of your journey spent on high-speed roads. You will rely primarily on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, the UAW Freeway, and Monroe Street to navigate between destinations. Be prepared for a consistent pace, as your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 60 miles on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. It is an interstate-heavy experience that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. Once you clear the initial urban traffic, the drive settles into a predictable, fast-moving rhythm that carries you directly into Flint.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 UAW Freeway. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cadillac Square.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These 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
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 none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75 North: Flint
8
60.9 mi into trip | ~1h 7m in | I 475 / UAW Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / UAW Freeway toward I 475: Downtown Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 111 Toward I 475: Downtown Flint
6
67.8 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | M 21 / East Court Street

Turn left onto M 21 / East Court Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 60 mi 1h 5m
UAW Freeway 6.5 mi 6m
Monroe Street 0.4 mi 1m
East Court Street 0.3 mi <1m
Randolph Street 0.2 mi <1m
Cadillac Square 0.1 mi <1m
Chavez Drive <0.1 mi <1m
Chrysler Drive <0.1 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 Flint, 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 none / straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork onto I 475

6.5 mi · 6 min · UAW Freeway
Exit 111 Toward I 475: Downtown Flint Use the slight right lane.
9

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward M 21: Downtown
10

Continue on M 21

386 ft · 17 sec · Chavez Drive
11

Turn left onto M 21

0.3 mi · 39 sec · East Court Street
Use the left lane.
12

Turn left

68 ft · 6 sec
13

Turn right

93 ft · 6 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick trip under 70 miles, you have plenty of freedom regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak-hour congestion is always a smart move. You won't need to plan for any scheduled stops given the short duration, but having your $10 fuel estimate ready before you leave ensures a stress-free departure. Keep a close watch on traffic patterns as you transition from the Detroit metropolitan area onto the UAW Freeway. Because the route is almost entirely highway-based, check your tire pressure and vehicle fluids before hitting the road to ensure a smooth transition between these two Michigan hubs.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 34.1 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 38m 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 68.2 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 34.1 miles or 38m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flint, 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 68.2 miles and 1h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Detroit, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
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 34.1 mi from Detroit, MI · 38m into the drive

Downtown Ann Arbor, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ann Arbor, MI

34 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.

Popular next leg

Ann Arbor, MI to Flint, MI

54.5 mi · 1h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Canton, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ann Arbor, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 34.1 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Walter P. Chrysler Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 miles.

Arriving in Flint, MI

The final approach into Flint, 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 Flint, 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

$10.36 one way

$20.72 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 24 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $11.42 $22.84
premium $4.80 $12.87 $25.75
diesel $5.64 $15.15 $30.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$10

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$35–$60

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 23.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 20.5 0 $7.16 $3.27
Efficient EV 17.1 0 $5.97 $2.73
EV Truck/SUV 27.3 0 $9.55 $4.36

Gas CO2

24 kg

EV CO2

8 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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Detroit, MI

Evening in Detroit on Sunday

Local time

5:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Flint, MI

Evening in Flint on Sunday

Local time

5:32 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°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

2 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

1h 16m 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 Detroit, MI to Flint, MI covers 68.2 miles and takes about 1h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, UAW Freeway, Monroe Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.1 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 $10.36 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 68.2 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Detroit, MI to Flint, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Flint, MI to Detroit, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

68.6 mi 1h 3m

Explore more options from Detroit, MI or browse trips ending in Flint, MI.

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