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Create accountDrive Time
3h 35m
Distance
185.7 mi
299 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
26 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alpena, MI
fish socks
If you are planning a trip from Flint to Alpena, you are looking at a 185.7-mile journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 35 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $28 on fuel for the trip, keeping the transit costs quite reasonable. You will primarily navigate via I-75, State Highway 65, and M-32 as you transition through the Midwest. Because the drive is straightforward and manageable in one sitting, it offers a great balance of efficiency and simplicity for your travel plans.
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
92.8 miles from Flint, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
This highway-focused drive keeps you moving, with 72% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will begin with a significant 64.6-mile stretch on I-75, which represents the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. As you move away from the interstate toward State Highway 65 and M-32, the character of the road shifts from high-speed transit to a more traditional regional highway pace. You can expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes steady progress over technical maneuvering. It is a practical route that rewards you with a predictable, efficient path across the Michigan landscape.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
236 ft
Total Descent
402 ft
Highest Point
856 ft
~119.3 mi in
Elevation Range
268 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and State Highway 65. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near M 21 / East Court Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 185.7 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (M 21 / East Court Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles (Saginaw Street): Navigation decision point; at 75.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn uturn onto M 21 / East Court Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Turn right onto Saginaw Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto US 23 / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 23 / East Chisholm Street
Lane positioning matters here
Between Flint, MI and Alpena, MI, road signs point toward M 61: Standish and Gladwin.
M 61: Standish
Gladwin
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 64.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| State Highway 65 | 60.3 mi | 1h 10m |
| M 32 | 15.7 mi | 20m |
| UAW Freeway | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| M 65 | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| West Huron Road | 6.3 mi | 8m |
| North Hale Road | 4 mi | 4m |
| South State Road | 3.2 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Alpena, MI.
Start on this road
Turn uturn onto M 21
Turn right onto Saginaw Street
Turn right onto East Third Street
Turn left onto Chavez Drive
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 475
Merge onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
Take the exit
Turn right onto M 61
Continue on M 61
Turn left onto US 23
Continue on US 23
Continue on US 23
Continue on US 23
Turn left onto M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 65
Continue on M 32; M 65
Turn right onto US 23
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your time, consider leaving Flint early in the morning to account for the 3-hour and 35-minute duration. Since the route includes one recommended stop, plan to stretch your legs once you transition off I-75 to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when you reach the 185.7-mile mark, as shifting from the interstate to secondary highways can sometimes change your access to service stations. Because the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your personal schedule. Prioritize checking your navigation before merging onto M-32 to ensure a smooth transition toward Alpena.
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.
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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.8 miles or 1h 45m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alpena, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Flint, 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 Flint, MI
This is one driving day of about 185.7 miles and 3h 35m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 92.8 mi from Flint, MI · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
93 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 92.8 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.6 miles.
The final approach into Alpena, 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 Alpena, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.21 one way
$56.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $31.09 | $62.19 |
| premium | $4.80 | $35.06 | $70.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $41.26 | $82.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
26 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Bay City, MI
8 DCFC
Saginaw, MI
Saginaw, MI
6 DCFC
Randy Wise Hyundai
Flint, MI
4 DCFC
FasCharge 4649 Express Stop Flint MI
Flint, MI
4 DCFC
Lafontaine Ford of Birch Run
Birch Run, MI
4 DCFC
Starbucks Bridgeport
Bridgeport, MI
4 DCFC
Flying J 668
Saginaw, MI
4 DCFC
Meijer Bay City (Bay City, MI)
Bay City, MI
4 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.7 | 0 | $19.50 | $8.91 |
| Efficient EV | 46.4 | 0 | $16.25 | $7.43 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 74.3 | 0 | $26.00 | $11.88 |
Gas CO2
65 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Flint on Sunday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Alpena on Sunday
Local time
5:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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