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Trip from Flint, MI to Otsego Lake, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 48m

Distance

159 mi

256 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

29 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 37m ★
6 AM
2h 48m
8 AM
3h 10m
10 AM
2h 56m
12 PM
2h 54m
3 PM
2h 57m
5 PM
3h 9m
8 PM
2h 42m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Otsego Lake, MI, MI

Otsego Lake, MI

Kevin Carrera

Trip Overview

The drive from Flint, MI to Otsego Lake, MI covers 159 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 75, UAW Freeway, Old 27 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 144.6 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.86 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

79.5 miles from Flint, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 144.6 mi 2h 27m
UAW Freeway 9.7 mi 10m
Old 27 South 2.8 mi 4m
Marlette Road 0.6 mi 1m
East Third Street 0.4 mi 1m
Saginaw Street 0.1 mi <1m
Chavez Drive <0.1 mi <1m
Hemlock Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 144.6 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Otsego Lake, MI.

1

Start on this road

93 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn uturn onto M 21

253 ft · 17 sec · East Court Street
3

Turn right onto Saginaw Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Saginaw Street
4

Turn right onto East Third Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Third Street
5

Turn left onto Chavez Drive

483 ft · 13 sec · Chavez Drive
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 475 North
7

Merge onto I 475

9.7 mi · 10 min · UAW Freeway
8

Merge onto I 75; US 23

38 mi · 40 min · I 75; US 23
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

63 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 75; US 23
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

44 mi · 43 min · I 75
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward Waters
12

Turn left onto Marlette Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Marlette Road
13

At end of road, turn right onto Old 27 South

2.8 mi · 4 min · Old 27 South
14

Turn right onto Hemlock Street

440 ft · 24 sec · Hemlock Street
15

Turn left onto Warner Street

87 ft · 3 sec · Warner Street
16

Arrive at destination

Warner Street

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 79.5 miles from Flint, MI, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.6 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 35 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 79.5 miles or 1h 24m 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 15m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Otsego Lake, 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 159 miles and 2h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Flint, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 144.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Skidway Lake, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Skidway Lake, MI

80 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

Bay City, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Skidway Lake, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 79.5 miles from Flint, 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 144.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Waters End Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gaylord, Michigan

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 159

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

Visit website

Waters End Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 159

Gaylord, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

Visit website

Our Town Coffee & Treats

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 136.3

Grayling, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19892178099

Visit website

Stone Mountain Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.2

West Branch, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19893453006

Visit website

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 45.4

University Center, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19899647125

Visit website

Michigan Heroes Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 22.7

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19896528005

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 156.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | M 21 / East Court Street

Turn uturn onto M 21 / East Court Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Saginaw Street

Turn right onto Saginaw Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Third Street

Turn right onto East Third Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 475 North

Navigation decision point

Toward I 475 North
5
156.1 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | Old 27 South

At end of road, turn right onto Old 27 South

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.86 one way

$49.72 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 56 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $27.29 $54.59
premium $4.89 $30.60 $61.20
diesel $5.61 $35.11 $70.21

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 55.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Bay City, MI

Tesla

8 DCFC

Saginaw, MI

Saginaw, MI

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

Grayling, MI

Grayling, MI

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

6 DCFC

Randy Wise Hyundai

Flint, MI

Blink Network

4 DCFC

FasCharge 4649 Express Stop Flint MI

Flint, MI

RED_E

4 DCFC

Lafontaine Ford of Birch Run

Birch Run, MI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Starbucks Bridgeport

Bridgeport, MI

Non-Networked

4 DCFC

Flying J 668

Saginaw, MI

eVgo Network

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 11 RED_E: 5 Blink Network: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 Non-Networked: 2 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 2 eVgo Network: 1 EV Connect: 1 Tesla: 1 Electrify America: 1 SHELL_RECHARGE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 47.7 0 $16.69 $7.63
Efficient EV 39.8 0 $13.91 $6.36
EV Truck/SUV 63.6 0 $22.26 $10.18

Gas CO2

56 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Flint, MI

Afternoon in Flint on Saturday

Local time

1:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

W 17 mph 65% chance Live forecast

Destination

Otsego Lake, MI

Afternoon in Otsego Lake on Saturday

Local time

1:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

39°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

25 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

2h 48m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 2h 48m highway drive covering 159 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and UAW Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 144.6 miles on I 75.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 144.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and UAW Freeway. 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.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 159 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 0.2 miles (East Third Street): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 159 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Flint, MI to Otsego Lake, MI covers 159 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, UAW Freeway, Old 27 South. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 79.5 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 $24.86 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 159 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.

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 0.2 miles (East Third Street): Navigation decision point.

The route from Flint, MI to Otsego Lake, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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