Origin
Ludington, MI
Morning in Ludington on Wednesday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from Ludington, MI to Macomb, MI
Data updated 43 minutes ago
Drive Time
4h 48m
Distance
256.2 mi
412 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 35m
★
6 AM
4h 48m
8 AM
5h 15m
10 AM
4h 58m
12 PM
4h 55m
3 PM
4h 59m
5 PM
5h 14m
8 PM
4h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ludington, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ludington, MI to Macomb, MI covers 256.2 miles and takes about 4h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 96, US 31, I 69 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 88.7 miles on I 96. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.05 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.1 miles from Ludington, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 4h 48m highway drive covering 256.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 96 and US 31. The longest continuous stretch is about 88.7 miles on I 96.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 88.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 256.2 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 61.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 27 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
61.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Take the exit toward I 96: Grand Rapids, Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 110A
Toward I 96: Grand Rapids, Lansing
7
204.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
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 I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
6
204.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
Keep slight right 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
8
239.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
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 81
Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
6
242.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
|
Tienken Road
Turn right onto Tienken Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ludington, MI and Macomb, MI, road signs point toward Lansing, Detroit, M 24: Pontiac and Lapeer.
Lansing
61.5 mi in
|
~1h 7m
Detroit
204.5 mi in
|
~3h 38m
M 24: Pontiac
239.9 mi in
|
~4h 17m
Lapeer
239.9 mi in
|
~4h 17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 88.7 mi | 1h 35m |
| US 31 | 56.3 mi | 57m |
| I 69 | 51.5 mi | 52m |
| I 75 | 34.7 mi | 37m |
| 25 Mile Road | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Tienken Road | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| South Pere Marquette Highway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| West Tienken Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 88.7 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ludington, MI and Macomb, MI.
1
Start on this road
70 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto M 116
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Ludington Avenue
3
Continue on US 10
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ludington Avenue
4
Continue on US 10
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West US Highway 10
5
Turn right onto US-31 BUS
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
South Pere Marquette Highway
6
Take the ramp onto US-31 BUS
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
US-31 BUS
Toward US 31 South: Muskegon
7
Merge onto US 31
50 mi
·
51 min
·
US 31
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 31
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
US 31
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 110A
Toward I 96: Grand Rapids, Lansing
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 96
89 mi
·
1 hr 35 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
2.5 mi
·
2 min
Exit 89
Toward I 69 East: Flint
12
Merge onto I 69
52 mi
·
52 min
·
I 69
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
15
Merge onto I 75; US 23
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 75; US 23
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 75
17
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 81
Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
Use the slight right lane.
18
Continue on I 75 BL
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 75 BL
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
I 75 BL
Toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac
20
Turn left
88 ft
·
3 sec
Use the left lane.
21
Turn left
154 ft
·
7 sec
22
Continue on Shimmons Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Shimmons Road
23
At end of road, turn left onto Shimmons Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Shimmons Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto North Squirrel Road
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Squirrel Road
25
Turn right onto Tienken Road
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Tienken Road
Use the right lane.
26
Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Tienken Road
27
Continue on West Tienken Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Tienken Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road
159 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Tienken Road
29
Continue on East Tienken Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Tienken Road
30
Enter roundabout onto Runyon Road
150 ft
·
3 sec
·
Runyon Road
31
Continue on Runyon Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Runyon Road
32
Continue on 25 Mile Road
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
25 Mile Road
33
Enter roundabout onto 25 Mile Road
150 ft
·
4 sec
·
25 Mile Road
34
Continue on 25 Mile Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
25 Mile Road
35
Enter roundabout
270 ft
·
7 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128.1 miles from Ludington, MI, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.7 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 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.1 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macomb, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ludington, 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 Ludington, MI
This is one driving day of about 256.2 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ludington, 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 96 for about 88.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.1 mi from Ludington, MI · 2h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.1 miles from Ludington, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.7 miles.
Arriving in Macomb, MI
The final approach into Macomb, 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 Macomb, 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
$40.05 one way
$80.11 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $43.98 | $87.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $49.30 | $98.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.57 | $113.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.9 | 0 | $26.90 | $12.30 |
| Efficient EV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.42 | $10.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.5 | 1 | $35.87 | $16.40 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Destination
Macomb, MI
Morning in Macomb on Wednesday
Local time
6:28 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°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.
Road read
4h 48m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ludington, MI to Macomb, MI covers 256.2 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 96, US 31, I 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.1 miles from Ludington, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.05 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break 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 27 significant decision points across 256.2 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 61.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 204.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Ludington, MI and Macomb, MI, road signs point toward Lansing, Detroit, M 24: Pontiac and Lapeer.
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