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Trip from Flint, MI to Clare County, MI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 10m

Distance

113.8 mi

183 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 1m ★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m

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 Clare County, MI, MI

Clare County, MI

Mario Spencer

Trip Overview

This 113.8-mile drive from Flint, MI, to Clare County, MI, is a straightforward 2-hour and 10-minute trip, making it an ideal day trip. Primarily using US 10 and I-75, with a brief section of the UAW Freeway, this route is largely highway-focused, accounting for 94% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The drive offers a simple and efficient way to travel between these two Michigan locations without needing an overnight stay.

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

56.9 miles from Flint, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the drive taking place on major roads like US 10 and I-75. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.1 miles on US 10, offering a consistent pace. This drive is less about winding scenic byways and more about efficient travel, with a predominantly highway profile. You'll transition from urban edges near Flint onto more open highway corridors as you head north and west.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 58.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 75. 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.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 113.8 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 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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

5
47.4 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward US 10 West: Midland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland
5
58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | US 10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10: Clare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 10: Clare
6
105.7 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | US 127 BUS

Take the exit onto US 127 BUS toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 170 Toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin

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 Clare County, MI, road signs point toward Bus Us 127, M 61: Harrison and Gladwin.

Bus Us 127

105.7 mi in | ~1h 51m | via US 127 BUS

M 61: Harrison

105.7 mi in | ~1h 51m | via US 127 BUS

Gladwin

105.7 mi in | ~1h 51m | via US 127 BUS

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 10 58.1 mi 58m
I 75 36.9 mi 39m
UAW Freeway 9.7 mi 10m
North Clare Avenue 2.1 mi 3m
North Coolidge Avenue 2 mi 7m
State Highway 61 1.9 mi 2m
East Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
1st Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 10 — 58.1 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Clare County, 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

37 mi · 39 min · I 75; US 23
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland
10

Continue on US 10

11 mi · 11 min · US 10
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

47 mi · 46 min · US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
12

Take the exit onto US 127 BUS

0.3 mi · 45 sec · US 127 BUS
Exit 170 Toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin
13

Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61

2.1 mi · 3 min · North Clare Avenue
14

Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61

0.4 mi · 41 sec · East Park Street
15

Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61

0.4 mi · 40 sec · 1st Street
16

Turn left onto M 61

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
17

Continue on M 61

1.9 mi · 2 min · State Highway 61
18

Turn left onto North Coolidge Avenue

2.0 mi · 7 min · North Coolidge Avenue
19

At end of road, turn right onto West Larch Road

0.2 mi · 49 sec · West Larch Road
20

Turn left

0.3 mi · 1 min
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given its manageable 2-hour duration, this trip is best suited for a single day, offering flexibility for departure times. You won't need to worry about extensive stops, but it's always wise to take breaks during the longest stretch of 58.1 miles on US 10. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $18 for the 113.8-mile journey. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic on I-75 as you leave the Flint area, especially during peak commuting hours.

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 56.9 miles from Flint, MI, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 25 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.9 miles or 1h 2m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clare County, 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 113.8 miles and 2h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Flint, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 58.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 56.9 mi from Flint, MI · 1h 2m into the drive

Downtown Freeland, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Freeland, MI

57 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

Buena Vista, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Freeland, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.9 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clare County, MI

The final approach into Clare County, 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 Clare County, 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

$17.79 one way

$35.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.53 $39.07
premium $4.89 $21.90 $43.80
diesel $5.61 $25.13 $50.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.1 0 $11.95 $5.46
Efficient EV 28.5 0 $9.96 $4.55
EV Truck/SUV 45.5 0 $15.93 $7.28

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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 14, 2026

Origin

Flint, MI

Night in Flint on Wednesday

Local time

10:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 5 to 8 mph 94% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 7:33PM EDT until April 21 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 7:33PM EDT until April 18 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Destination

Clare County, MI

Night in Clare County on Wednesday

Local time

10:44 PM

EDT

Current temp

66°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

5 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

2h 10m 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 Clare County, MI covers 113.8 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, I 75, UAW Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.9 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 $17.79 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 113.8 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 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Between Flint, MI and Clare County, MI, road signs point toward Bus Us 127, M 61: Harrison and Gladwin.

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