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Trip from Highland Park, MI to Flint, MI

Data updated 3 hours ago

Drive Time

2h 23m

Distance

123.7 mi

199 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min
4 AM
2h 14m ★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m

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

Downtown Highland Park, MI, MI

Highland Park, MI

Michał Robak

Trip Overview

This 123.7-mile drive from Highland Park, MI, to Flint, MI, is designed for a single day, taking an estimated 2 hours and 23 minutes. You'll spend about 81% of your time on highways, making it a focused trip through the Midwest region of Michigan. With a projected fuel cost of around $19, this route is an economical option for a quick getaway or a functional transit. It’s a straightforward journey that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stop, offering flexibility in your travel plans. Consider this a reliable and efficient way to get from point A to point B.

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

61.8 miles from Highland Park, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 81% of the route utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 96.4 miles on I-69, indicating significant time spent at higher speeds. While primarily a highway experience, you will also navigate sections of West Michigan Avenue and M-89, which may offer a slight change of pace. This drive is characterized by its efficiency, prioritizing getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 69 is the longest continuous segment at about 96.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and West Michigan Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in near North 37th Street.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 123.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (North 37th Street): Navigation decision point; at 20.9 miles (I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 25 key points

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

5
2.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | North 37th Street

Turn right onto North 37th Street

Navigation decision point

5
20.9 mi into trip | ~31m in | I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road

Turn sharp left onto I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

7
20.9 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward I 94 East: Detroit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 94 East: Detroit
8
66.1 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | I 69

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 East: Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 91 Toward I 69 East: Flint
7
122.7 mi into trip | ~2h 20m in

Take the exit toward Saginaw Street, Downtown

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward Saginaw Street, Downtown

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Highland Park, MI to Flint, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Lansing along the way.

Lansing

24.8 mi in | ~36m | via I 94 BL

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 96.4 mi 1h 40m
West Michigan Avenue 6.1 mi 10m
M 89 5.7 mi 6m
East Michigan Avenue 5.1 mi 6m
I 94 3.6 mi 3m
West Hamblin Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
North 37th Street 0.8 mi 2m
West Gull Lake Drive 0.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 96.4 mi, about 1h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Highland Park, MI and Flint, MI.

1

Start on Fraulin Drive

353 ft · 15 sec · Fraulin Drive
2

Continue on East C Avenue

520 ft · 26 sec · East C Avenue
3

Turn left onto West Gull Lake Drive

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Gull Lake Drive
4

Continue on North 36th Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · North 36th Street
5

Continue on East CD Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · East CD Avenue
6

Turn right onto North 37th Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North 37th Street
7

Turn left onto East D Avenue

0.3 mi · 1 min · East D Avenue
8

Turn right onto North 37th Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · North 37th Street
9

Turn left onto M 89

5.7 mi · 6 min · M 89
10

Continue on M 89

0.2 mi · 17 sec · M-89
11

Continue on M 89

6.1 mi · 10 min · West Michigan Avenue
12

Turn right onto M 89

0.2 mi · 17 sec · South Washington Avenue
13

Turn left onto West Hamblin Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Hamblin Avenue
14

Continue on I 94 BL

352 ft · 8 sec · Hamblin Street
15

Turn right onto I 94 BL

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Michigan Avenue
16

Turn right onto I 94 BL

55 ft · 4 sec · I 94 BL
17

Continue on I 94 BL; M 96

0.1 mi · 7 sec · East Columbia Avenue
18

Merge onto I 94 BL; M 96

3.1 mi · 3 min · East Michigan Avenue
19

Turn sharp left onto I 94 BL; M 311

349 ft · 6 sec · 11 Mile Road
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
21

Merge onto I 94

3.6 mi · 3 min · I 94
22

Take the exit onto I 94 BL

0.2 mi · 21 sec · I 94 BL
Toward I 69: Fort Wayne, Lansing
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 51 sec
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 69 North: Lansing
25

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 69 North
26

Merge onto I 69

40 mi · 42 min · I 69
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69

57 mi · 58 min · I 69
Exit 91 Toward I 69 East: Flint Use the slight right lane.
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward Saginaw Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.
29

Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street

0.3 mi · 36 sec · South Grand Traverse Street
30

Turn right onto M 21

0.3 mi · 48 sec · West Fifth Street
31

Turn left onto Harrison Street

382 ft · 20 sec · Harrison Street
32

Turn left onto M 21

235 ft · 9 sec · East Court Street
33

Turn left

68 ft · 6 sec
34

Turn right

93 ft · 6 sec
35

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour and 23 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. Plan to leave when you feel most comfortable, as there are no specific recommended stops. The longest stretch on I-69 is substantial, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking; the estimated cost is $19. You'll be covering 123.7 miles in total. A key tip for this route is to monitor traffic conditions on I-69, especially if traveling during peak commuter hours, as it's the primary artery for a significant portion of your journey.

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 61.8 miles from Highland Park, MI, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 96.4 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 61.8 miles or 1h 17m 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 58m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flint, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Highland Park, 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 Highland Park, MI

This is one driving day of about 123.7 miles and 2h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Highland Park, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 96.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 61.8 mi from Highland Park, MI · 1h 17m into the drive

suburban city in Cook County, Illinois, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Evanston, IL

62 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

Michigan Center, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chicago, IL

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.8 miles from Highland Park, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 96.4 miles.

Arriving in Flint, MI

The final approach into Flint, 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 Flint, 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

$19.34 one way

$38.68 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.23 $42.47
premium $4.89 $23.80 $47.61
diesel $5.61 $27.31 $54.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.1 0 $12.99 $5.94
Efficient EV 30.9 0 $10.82 $4.95
EV Truck/SUV 49.5 0 $17.32 $7.92

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Highland Park, MI

Late night in Highland Park on Wednesday

Local time

12:52 AM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Flint, MI

Late night in Flint on Wednesday

Local time

12:52 AM

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

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

11 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 23m 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 Highland Park, MI to Flint, MI covers 123.7 miles and takes about 2h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 69, West Michigan Avenue, M 89. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.8 miles from Highland Park, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.34 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 demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 123.7 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles (North 37th Street): Navigation decision point; at 20.9 miles (I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 20.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Highland Park, MI to Flint, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Lansing along the way.

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