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Trip from Iron Mountain, MI to Clinton Township, MI

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

Drive Time

8h 55m

Distance

478.7 mi

770 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$75

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
8h 48m ★
6 AM
8h 56m
8 AM
9h 12m
10 AM
9h 1m
12 PM
9h 0m
3 PM
9h 2m
5 PM
9h 11m
8 PM
8h 51m

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 Iron Mountain, MI, MI

Iron Mountain, MI

Andrei Iusco

Downtown Clinton Township, MI, MI

Clinton Township, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

The drive from Iron Mountain, MI to Clinton Township, MI covers 478.7 miles and takes about 8h 55m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on I 75, West Lakeshore Drive, US-2/US-41/M-35 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 266 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $74.84 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

239.4 miles from Iron Mountain, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 266 mi 4h 35m
West Lakeshore Drive 88.4 mi 1h 44m
US-2/US-41/M-35 46 mi 55m
US 2 25.2 mi 31m
Eighth Avenue 20.4 mi 23m
M 59 16 mi 20m
US-2/US-141 5.2 mi 5m
Murray Road 2.2 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 266 mi, about 4h 35m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Iron Mountain, MI and Clinton Township, MI.

1

Start on M 95

115 ft · 6 sec · East Ludington Street
2

Turn right onto US 2; US 141

1.9 mi · 2 min · South Stephenson Avenue
3

Continue on US 2; US 141

5.2 mi · 5 min · US-2/US-141
4

Continue on US 2

2.2 mi · 2 min · Murray Road
5

Turn straight onto US 2

20 mi · 23 min · Eighth Avenue
6

Continue on US 2; US 41

22 mi · 27 min · US 2; US 41
7

Turn left onto US 2; US 41; M 35

2.1 mi · 3 min · North Lincoln Road
Use the left lane.
8

Continue on US 2; US 41; M 35

46 mi · 55 min · US-2/US-41/M-35
9

Continue on US 2

88 mi · 1 hr 44 min · West Lakeshore Drive
10

Continue on US 2

3.2 mi · 3 min · US 2
11

Continue on US 2

0.5 mi · 46 sec · US-2 West
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
13

Merge onto I 75

94 mi · 1 hr 37 min · I 75
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

124 mi · 2 hr 7 min · I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

11 mi · 11 min · I 75; US 23
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

37 mi · 39 min · I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 77A Toward M 59 East: Utica Use the right lane.
18

Merge onto M 59

16 mi · 20 min · M 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Romeo Plank Road
Use the right lane.
20

Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road

112 ft · 2 sec · Romeo Plank Road
21

Continue on Romeo Plank Road

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Romeo Plank Road
22

Enter roundabout onto Cass Avenue

123 ft · 2 sec · Cass Avenue
23

Continue on Cass Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · Cass Avenue
24

Turn right onto Moravian Drive

1.2 mi · 2 min · Moravian Drive
Use the straight lane.
25

Turn right onto White Oaks Drive

0.2 mi · 52 sec · White Oaks Drive
26

Turn right onto Red Oaks Drive

289 ft · 12 sec · Red Oaks Drive
27

Arrive at destination

Red Oaks Drive

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 239.4 miles from Iron Mountain, MI, or about 4h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 105 miles or 2h 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 239.4 miles or 4h 39m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 239.4 miles or 4h 39m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 43m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Iron Mountain, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Iron Mountain, MI

Aim for roughly 239 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Clinton Township, MI

Aim for roughly 239 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Iron Mountain, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 266 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Charlevoix County, Michigan, United States of America

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Boyne City, MI

239 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Boyne City, MI

Overnight Options

Night 1

Boyne City, MI

239 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Boyne City, MI after about 239 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

McMillan, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 105 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boyne City, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 239.4 miles from Iron Mountain, 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 266 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 239 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

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 Restaurant

Upper Crust Cafe Bakery & Deli

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manistique, Michigan

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.6

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+19063412253

Visit website

Mug Shots Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rapid River, Michigan

1.4 mi

Cedar Street Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manistique, Michigan

2.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Contrast Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19064515662

Visit website

Neucup

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iron Mountain, Michigan

0.8 mi

Detroit Kid City - Clinton Township

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Clinton Township, Michigan

1.8 mi

Upper Crust Cafe Bakery & Deli

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.6

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+19063412253

Visit website

Mug Shots Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 68.4

Rapid River, Michigan

+19063981415

Cedar Street Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 102.6

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19063412469

Circle K

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 68.4

Rapid River, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19069367151

Visit website

Contrast Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19064515662

Visit website

Neucup

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+19064485044

Detroit Kid City - Clinton Township

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 478.7

Clinton Township, Michigan

Visit website

The Grind Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 102.6

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19062861137

Visit website

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10 mile 478.7

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

Iron Mountain City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

Pine Mountain Ski Jump

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19067791110

Visit website

Independence Oaks County Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 444.5

Village of Clarkston, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–7:30 pm

+12486250877

Visit website

Manistique Boardwalk

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 102.6

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 376.1

University Center, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19899647125

Visit website

Dousman's Mill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 205.1

Mackinaw City, MI

+12314364100

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 51.7 and 474.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
51.7 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road

Turn left onto US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
286.3 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
6
421.4 mi into trip | ~7h 46m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
458.3 mi into trip | ~8h 26m in

Take the exit toward M 59 East: Utica

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 77A Toward M 59 East: Utica
6
474.5 mi into trip | ~8h 47m in | Romeo Plank Road

Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$74.84 one way

$149.68 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 168 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $82.17 $164.34
premium $4.89 $92.12 $184.24
diesel $5.61 $105.69 $211.38

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$75

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$205–$315

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 167.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 143.6 1 $50.26 $22.98
Efficient EV 119.7 1 $41.89 $19.15
EV Truck/SUV 191.5 2 $67.02 $30.64

Gas CO2

167 kg

EV CO2

56 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Iron Mountain, MI

Afternoon in Iron Mountain on Saturday

Local time

2:30 PM

CDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clinton Township, MI

Afternoon in Clinton Township on Saturday

Local time

3:30 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

13 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

8h 55m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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 8h 55m highway drive covering 478.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and West Lakeshore Drive. The longest continuous stretch is about 266 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 27 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 266 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and West Lakeshore Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.7 miles in near US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 478.7 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 51.7 miles (US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 286.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 421.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Iron Mountain, MI to Clinton Township, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.

Detroit

286.3 mi in | ~5h 28m | via I 75

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Iron Mountain, MI to Clinton Township, MI covers 478.7 miles and takes about 8h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, West Lakeshore Drive, US-2/US-41/M-35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 239 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 239.4 miles from Iron Mountain, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $74.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 478.7 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 51.7 miles (US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 286.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 421.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

On the drive from Iron Mountain, MI to Clinton Township, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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