Origin
Macon, MI
Afternoon in Macon on Thursday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Macon, MI to Flint, MI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
72.5 mi
117 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Macon, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
This straightforward 72.5-mile drive from Macon to Flint, Michigan, is easily managed in about 1 hour and 37 minutes, making it an ideal day trip. You'll primarily navigate via US 23 BUS and West Michigan Avenue, with a portion on North Maple Road. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, this highway-focused journey through the Midwest region offers a practical way to travel between these two Michigan cities. Since there are no recommended stops and the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
36.2 miles from Macon, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 72.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for about 68% of this 72.5-mile route. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 47.4 miles on US 23 BUS. This segment generally involves consistent speeds and a focus on covering ground efficiently. While the specific transitions between roads like West Michigan Avenue and North Maple Road might introduce slight changes in pace, the overall character remains that of a direct, highway-oriented drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 23 BUS is the longest continuous segment at about 47.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 BUS and West Michigan Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.1 miles in near US 23 BUS.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.5 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 21.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
21.1 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
US 23 BUS
Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS toward US 23 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 23 North: Flint
7
68.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
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 69: Lansing, Port Huron
7
68.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
6
68.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 East: Flint, Port Huron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69 East: Flint, Port Huron
7
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m 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.
Between Macon, MI and Flint, MI, road signs point toward M 14 East, Detroit and Port Huron.
M 14 East
19.9 mi in
|
~37m
|
via US 23 BUS
Detroit
19.9 mi in
|
~37m
|
via US 23 BUS
Port Huron
68.4 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 23 BUS | 47.4 mi | 50m |
| West Michigan Avenue | 6 mi | 9m |
| North Maple Road | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| South Main Street | 3.1 mi | 7m |
| Ann Arbor-Saline Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Chevrolet-Buick Freeway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Case Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| M 14 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 23 BUS
— 47.4 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Macon, MI and Flint, MI.
1
Start on Clinton Macon Road
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Clinton Macon Road
2
Turn right onto Ford Highway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Ford Highway
3
Continue on Lindsley Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Lindsley Road
4
Turn right onto Arkona Road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Arkona Road
5
Turn left onto Case Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Case Road
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
West Michigan Avenue
7
Turn left onto North Maple Road
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
North Maple Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto Ann Arbor-Saline Road
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Ann Arbor-Saline Road
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on South Main Street
3.1 mi
·
7 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the ramp onto US 23 BUS
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 23 BUS
Toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit
11
Merge onto M 14; US 23 BUS
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
M 14; US 23 BUS
12
Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS
47 mi
·
50 min
·
US 23 BUS
Toward US 23 North: Flint
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 69 East: Flint, Port Huron
16
Merge onto I 69
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Saginaw Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
South Grand Traverse Street
19
Turn right onto M 21
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
West Fifth Street
20
Turn left onto Harrison Street
382 ft
·
20 sec
·
Harrison Street
21
Turn left onto M 21
235 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Court Street
22
Turn left
68 ft
·
6 sec
23
Turn right
93 ft
·
6 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given this is a relatively short 1 hour and 37-minute drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. With an estimated fuel cost of $11, planning for gas is simple. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out on the 47.4-mile stretch of US 23 BUS, as this is your longest continuous segment. Since no specific stops are indicated, you can easily complete this trip in one go, but know that you can pull over if needed without significantly impacting your travel time.
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 36.2 miles from Macon, MI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.4 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 16 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.2 miles or 55m 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 22m
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 Macon, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Macon, MI
This is one driving day of about 72.5 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 16 miles from Macon, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 23 BUS for about 47.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.2 mi from Macon, MI · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.2 miles from Macon, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.33 one way
$22.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.44 | $24.89 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.95 | $27.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.01 | $32.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.61 | $3.48 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.34 | $2.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29 | 0 | $10.15 | $4.64 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Destination
Flint, MI
Afternoon in Flint on Thursday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 37m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Macon, MI to Flint, MI covers 72.5 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23 BUS, West Michigan Avenue, North Maple Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.2 miles from Macon, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.33 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 72.5 miles you will encounter 20 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: at 21.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 68.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Macon, MI and Flint, MI, road signs point toward M 14 East, Detroit and Port Huron.
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