Origin
Flint, MI
Late night in Flint on Saturday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 12m
Distance
168.4 mi
271 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fife Lake, MI
Oriel Frankie Ashcroft
Flint to Fife Lake is 168.4 miles and takes about 3 hours 12 minutes via US 10 and I-75, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This all-Michigan journey takes you from the Midwest's industrial heartland toward its more rural northern reaches. With a 64% highway share, you'll find this route offers a straightforward path, suitable for a single-day trip. Consider this drive if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within the state.
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
84.2 miles from Flint, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 168.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (64%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This drive is primarily a highway-focused experience, with 64% of the route utilizing major roads like US 10 and I-75. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 56.9 miles on US 10, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The transition between US 10 and I-75 will likely involve some changes in scenery and traffic patterns, but the overall character remains that of a functional, efficient road trip. Cadillac Drive also plays a role, connecting you to your final destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 75. You will hit about 13 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
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 168.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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 US 10 West: Midland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10: Clare
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto M 55 toward US 31 North, M 55 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Flint, MI and Fife Lake, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac, M 115: Cadillac and M 55 East.
To M 115: Ludington
Cadillac
M 115: Cadillac
M 55 East
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 56.9 mi | 56m |
| I 75 | 36.9 mi | 39m |
| Cadillac Drive | 34.5 mi | 47m |
| M 55 | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| UAW Freeway | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| US 131 | 5 mi | 6m |
| West State Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Third Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Fife Lake, 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
Take the exit
Continue on US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Take the exit onto US 10
Take the exit
Turn right onto M 115
Take the exit onto M 55
Continue on US 131
Continue on West State Street
Arrive at destination
Given this route's manageable 3-hour 12-minute duration, leaving Flint any time in the morning should allow you to reach Fife Lake well before evening. You'll only have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along US 10 or I-75 for fuel or a quick break. The $26 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility; however, be aware that the longest stretch on US 10 is nearly 57 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment.
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 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.2 miles or 1h 29m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fife Lake, 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 168.4 miles and 3h 12m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.2 mi from Flint, MI · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 84.2 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Fife 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 Fife Lake, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$26.33 one way
$52.65 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.91 | $57.81 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.41 | $64.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.18 | $74.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.68 | $8.08 |
| Efficient EV | 42.1 | 0 | $14.74 | $6.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.58 | $10.78 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Late night in Flint on Saturday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Fife Lake on Saturday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
65°F
Wise, MI
84 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.
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
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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