The drive from Flint, MI to South Lyon, MI covers 46.4 miles and takes about 55m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 23, I 96, I 75 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 30.9 miles on US 23.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.25 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 46.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 55m highway drive covering 46.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 23 and I 96. The longest continuous stretch is about 30.9 miles on US 23.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 96. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near M 21 / East Court Street.
Driving Effort9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 46.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
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. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
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. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
2.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 133
Toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw
6
3.2 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
5
6 mi into trip|~8m in|US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
8
42 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward Kent Lake Road, South Lyon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 153
Toward Kent Lake Road, South Lyon
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Flint, MI and South Lyon, MI, road signs point toward Saginaw and Lyon.
Saginaw
2.9 mi in|~4m
Lyon
42 mi in|~47m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 23
30.9 mi
33m
I 96
4.3 mi
4m
I 75
2.1 mi
2m
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
2.1 mi
2m
Pontiac Trail
2 mi
3m
North Lafayette Street
1 mi
2m
Kent Lake Road
0.9 mi
1m
South Grand Traverse Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 30.9 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and South Lyon, MI.
1
Start on this road
93 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn uturn onto M 21
0.3 mi·47 sec·East Court Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street
0.3 mi·41 sec·South Grand Traverse Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
5
Merge onto I 69
2.1 mi·2 min·Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 133Toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
8
Merge onto I 75; US 23
2.1 mi·2 min·I 75; US 23
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi·33 min·US 23
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·37 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
12
Merge onto I 96
4.3 mi·4 min·I 96
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 153Toward Kent Lake Road, South LyonUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn left onto Grand River Avenue
212 ft·8 sec·Grand River Avenue
15
Turn right onto Kent Lake Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Kent Lake Road
16
Turn left onto Silver Lake Road
0.2 mi·26 sec·Silver Lake Road
17
Turn right onto Pontiac Trail
2.0 mi·3 min·Pontiac Trail
18
Continue on North Lafayette Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Lafayette Street
19
Turn right onto West Lake Street
29 ft·0 sec·West Lake Street
20
Arrive at destination
West Lake Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 23.2 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in South Lyon, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into South Lyon, MI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.25 one way
$14.51 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg16 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$7.96
$15.93
premium
$4.89
$8.93
$17.86
diesel
$5.61
$10.24
$20.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
13.9
0
$4.87
$2.23
Efficient EV
11.6
0
$4.06
$1.86
EV Truck/SUV
18.6
0
$6.50
$2.97
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Morning
in Flint on Saturday
Local time
11:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 14 mph81% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 3:10AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 18 at 3:10AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
South Lyon, MI
Morning
in South Lyon on Saturday
Local time
11:16 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
55m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Flint, MI to South Lyon, MI covers 46.4 miles and takes about 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23, I 96, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.2 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 $7.25 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 46.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (M 21 / East Court Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Flint, MI and South Lyon, MI, road signs point toward Saginaw and Lyon.
