Origin
Flint, MI
Evening in Flint on Sunday
Local time
6:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Flint, MI to Detroit, MI
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
68.6 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
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 13m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Connecting Flint to Detroit is a straightforward 68.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes. Because of the manageable distance and duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You will primarily navigate via East Fifth Street, the UAW Freeway, and Walter P. Reuther Freeway. Budgeting approximately $10 for fuel should cover the trip comfortably in most standard vehicles. Both cities are firmly rooted in the Midwest, making this a familiar regional transit between two major Michigan hubs. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that allows for significant flexibility in your daily 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
34.3 miles from Flint, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway slog, as this route maintains a 0% highway share according to the data. You will spend your time navigating local streets and connectors, with the longest uninterrupted stretch occurring on East Fifth Street at 0 miles. Because the route relies on local roads rather than high-speed interstates, you should prepare for a more involved experience behind the wheel. The transitions between these roads require your full attention as you navigate the path from Flint to Detroit. It is a functional, road-focused experience that prioritizes local connectivity over the high-speed transit of a traditional freeway.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Fifth Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Flint, MI to Detroit, MI is easy. At 1h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Flint, MI to Detroit, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Fifth Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| UAW Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Walter P | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lafayette Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Macomb Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Beaubien Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Lafayette Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bates Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Fifth Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Detroit, MI.
1
Start on the route
92 ft
·
10 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
335 ft
·
30 sec
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Fifth Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Fifth Street
4
Take the ramp right
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
5
Merge slight left onto UAW Freeway
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
UAW Freeway
6
Merge slight right
59 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
7
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
8
Take the exit slight right toward Lafayette Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Lafayette Avenue
9
Turn slight right onto Macomb Street
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Macomb Street
10
Turn left onto Beaubien Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Beaubien Street
11
Turn right onto East Lafayette Street
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Lafayette Street
12
Continue on Bates Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bates Street
13
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Congress Street
325 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Congress Street
14
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
449 ft
·
19 sec
·
Woodward Avenue
15
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
128 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cadillac Square
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip is short and straightforward, you have the advantage of total schedule flexibility. You can easily complete the entire 68.6-mile distance in one go without needing to plan for rest stops, as the duration is just over an hour. If you prefer to avoid potential congestion, check local traffic reports before departing to ensure your navigation through the local road network remains efficient. Keep your $10 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you leave Flint to avoid unnecessary stops. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant during the turn-heavy sections, as the reliance on local streets means you will need to watch your navigation closely throughout the drive.
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 34.3 miles from Flint, MI, or about 31m into the drive.
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 68.6 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 34.3 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 68.6 miles and 1h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Flint, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 34.3 mi from Flint, MI · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 68.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.3 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Detroit, MI
The final approach into Detroit, 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 Detroit, 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
$10.42 one way
$20.84 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $11.49 | $22.97 |
| premium | $4.80 | $12.95 | $25.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.24 | $30.48 |
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: 24 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 | 20.6 | 0 | $7.20 | $3.29 |
| Efficient EV | 17.2 | 0 | $6.00 | $2.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.4 | 0 | $9.60 | $4.39 |
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.
Destination
Detroit, MI
Evening in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
6:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 3m 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 Flint, MI to Detroit, MI covers 68.6 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Fifth Street, UAW Freeway, Walter P. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 34.3 miles from Flint, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $10.42 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.
The drive from Flint, MI to Detroit, MI is easy. At 1h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Flint, MI to Detroit, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Flint, MI to Detroit, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Detroit, MI
More trips to Detroit, MI
Explore more options from Flint, MI or browse trips ending in Detroit, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.
Explore maps for Flint, MI or Detroit, MI on MapSof.net.