The drive from Dollar Bay, MI to Flint, MI covers 492.9 miles and takes about 9h 28m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 75, Townsend Drive, M-28 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 218.3 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $77.06 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
246.4 miles from Dollar Bay, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 11m into the drive
.
Drive Character
The drive from Dollar Bay, MI to Flint, MI covers 492.9 miles and takes about 9h 28m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 38 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 218.3 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 102.9 miles in near US 41; M 28 / Marquette Bypass.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 492.9 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 102.9 miles (US 41; M 28 / Marquette Bypass): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 181.1 miles (M 77): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 358 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
102.9 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 41; M 28 / Marquette Bypass
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28 / Marquette Bypass
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
181.1 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|M 77
Turn sharp right onto M 77
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
358 mi into trip|~7h 9m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
6
482.1 mi into trip|~9h 16m 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
Exit 125
Toward I 475: Downtown Flint
6
492.6 mi into trip|~9h 27m in|M 21 / East Court Street
Turn right onto M 21 / East Court Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dollar Bay, MI to Flint, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
Detroit
358 mi in|~7h 9m|via I 75
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
218.3 mi
3h 44m
Townsend Drive
84 mi
1h 47m
M-28
70.9 mi
1h 24m
US 2
65.1 mi
1h 15m
M 77
17.3 mi
20m
Palms Avenue
10.2 mi
14m
UAW Freeway
10 mi
10m
US-41/M-28
3.8 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 218.3 mi, about 3h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dollar Bay, MI and Flint, MI.
1
Start on M 26
3.1 mi·4 min·Royce Road
2
Continue on US 41; M 26
0.4 mi·1 min·Houghton-Hancock Lift Bridge
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto US 41
276 ft·8 sec·US 41 South
Toward US 41 South: Marquette
4
Continue on US 41
0.6 mi·1 min·West Montezuma Avenue
Use the straight lane.
5
Merge onto US 41
0.4 mi·1 min·College Avenue
6
Continue on US 41
84 mi·1 hr 47 min·Townsend Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
92 ft·5 sec·US 41; M 28
8
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.9 mi·1 min·US 41; M 28
9
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
94 ft·5 sec·Palms Avenue
10
Continue on US 41; M 28
10 mi·14 min·Palms Avenue
11
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
116 ft·6 sec·US-41/M-28
12
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.5 mi·45 sec·US-41/M-28
13
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
103 ft·6 sec·US-41/M-28
14
Continue on US 41; M 28
1.6 mi·2 min·US-41/M-28
15
Continue on US 41; M 28
1.0 mi·1 min·Marquette Bypass
16
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
109 ft·6 sec·Marquette Bypass
17
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.2 mi·14 sec·Marquette Bypass
18
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
107 ft·1 sec·Marquette Bypass
19
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.5 mi·52 sec·Marquette Bypass
20
Take the exit onto US 41; M 28
410 ft·10 sec·US 41; M 28
21
Merge onto US 41; M 28
2.6 mi·4 min·South Front Street
22
Continue on US 41; M 28
1.6 mi·2 min·US-41/M-28
23
Turn left onto M 28
36 mi·42 min·M-28
24
Continue on M 28
2.2 mi·4 min·West Munising Avenue
25
Continue on M 28
0.2 mi·22 sec·Cedar Street
26
Continue on M 28
35 mi·41 min·M-28
27
Turn sharp right onto M 77
17 mi·20 min·M 77
28
At end of road, turn left onto US 2
65 mi·1 hr 15 min·US 2
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
30
Merge onto I 75
94 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 75
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
32
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475
10.0 mi·10 min·UAW Freeway
Exit 125Toward I 475: Downtown Flint
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Exit 7Toward M 21
34
Continue on Chavez Drive
0.2 mi·34 sec·Chavez Drive
35
Turn right onto M 21
0.2 mi·31 sec·East Court Street
Use the right lane.
36
Turn left
68 ft·6 sec
37
Turn right
93 ft·6 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 246.4 miles from Dollar Bay, MI, or about 5h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.3 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 2h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.4 miles or 5h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 246.4 miles or 5h 11m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 25m
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 Dollar Bay, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dollar Bay, MI
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Flint, MI
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Dollar Bay, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 218.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 246.4 mi from Dollar Bay, MI
· 5h 11m into the drive
The midpoint is around 246.4 miles from Dollar Bay, 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 218.3 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 246 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
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.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Flint, MI with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Keweenaw National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The stories of people and copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula have been intertwined for more than 7,000 years. Indigenous peoples made copper into tools and trade items. Investors and immigrants arrived...
Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coa...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.06 one way
$154.12 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg173 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$84.61
$169.22
premium
$4.89
$94.85
$189.71
diesel
$5.61
$108.83
$217.65
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
147.9
1
$51.75
$23.66
Efficient EV
123.2
1
$43.13
$19.72
EV Truck/SUV
197.2
2
$69.01
$31.55
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
58 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Dollar Bay, MI
Late night
in Dollar Bay on Saturday
Local time
5:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Flint, MI
Late night
in Flint on Saturday
Local time
5:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
33°F
Laketon, MI
246 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8 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
9h 28m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dollar Bay, MI to Flint, MI covers 492.9 miles and takes about 9h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Townsend Drive, M-28. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 246 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 246.4 miles from Dollar Bay, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $77.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 21 significant decision points across 492.9 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 102.9 miles (US 41; M 28 / Marquette Bypass): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 181.1 miles (M 77): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 358 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dollar Bay, MI to Flint, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
