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Trip from Maple Valley, MI to Flint, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h

Distance

113.9 mi

183 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 52m ★
6 AM
2h 0m
8 AM
2h 18m
10 AM
2h 6m
12 PM
2h 5m
3 PM
2h 7m
5 PM
2h 17m
8 PM
1h 55m

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

Downtown Maple Valley, MI, MI

Maple Valley, MI

Matt Barnard

Trip Overview

Maple Valley to Flint is 113.9 miles and takes about 2 hours via M 55, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, traversing the Midwest region. Expect a local drive with many turns, rather than a straight shot. Given the short duration, it's an easy same-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. You'll spend most of your time on M 55, making it a straightforward journey.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

57 miles from Maple Valley, MI

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

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 113.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (9%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' with only about 9% of the journey on highways. The bulk of your travel will be on M 55, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 102.1 miles. You'll navigate through local roads, so anticipate frequent turns and a less predictable pace compared to an interstate. The UAW Freeway and East West Branch Road also feature in the latter part of the drive, contributing to the local feel.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
M 55 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East West Branch Road.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Maple Valley, MI to Flint, MI is easy. At 2h with 9% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East West Branch Road): Navigation decision point; at 103.2 miles (I 475 / UAW Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 113.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

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

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East West Branch Road

Turn right onto East West Branch Road

Navigation decision point

6
103.2 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | I 475 / UAW Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / UAW Freeway toward I 475: Downtown Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 125 Toward I 475: Downtown Flint
5
113.2 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward M 21

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 7 Toward M 21
6
113.6 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in | M 21 / East Court Street

Turn right onto M 21 / East Court Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
113.9 mi into trip | ~2h in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
M 55 102.1 mi 1h 44m
UAW Freeway 10 mi 10m
East West Branch Road 1.1 mi 2m
East Court Street 0.2 mi <1m
Chavez Drive 0.2 mi <1m
South Maple Valley Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: M 55 — 102.1 mi, about 1h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Maple Valley, MI and Flint, MI.

1

Start on F-97

17 ft · 2 sec · South Maple Valley Road
2

Turn right onto East West Branch Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · East West Branch Road
3

Turn right onto M 55

102 mi · 1 hr 44 min · M 55
4

Keep slight right at fork onto I 475

10.0 mi · 10 min · UAW Freeway
Exit 125 Toward I 475: Downtown Flint
5

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 7 Toward M 21
6

Continue on Chavez Drive

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Chavez Drive
7

Turn right onto M 21

0.2 mi · 31 sec · East Court Street
Use the right lane.
8

Turn left

68 ft · 6 sec
9

Turn right

93 ft · 6 sec
10

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this drive is only 2 hours long, you can easily complete it in a single day. There's no need to rush, so consider leaving mid-morning to avoid early traffic. With 0 recommended stops, you have the flexibility to pull over if you need a break or want to grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $18; it’s wise to top off before you leave Maple Valley. Pay attention to the road signs for the frequent turns, especially as you transition between M 55 and other local roads.

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 57 miles from Maple Valley, MI, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.1 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 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 57 miles or 1h 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 37m

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 Maple Valley, 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 Maple Valley, MI

This is one driving day of about 113.9 miles and 2h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Maple Valley, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on M 55 for about 102.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 57 mi from Maple Valley, MI · 1h into the drive

city in Bay County, Michigan, USA

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bay City, 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.

Popular next leg

Bay City, MI to Flint, MI

47.4 mi · 56m

Pacing Suggestions

West Branch, MI

Fuel and coffee

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

Worth, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 57 miles from Maple Valley, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before M 55 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.1 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.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.81 one way

$35.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.55 $39.10
premium $4.89 $21.92 $43.84
diesel $5.61 $25.15 $50.30

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: 39.9 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 34.2 0 $11.96 $5.47
Efficient EV 28.5 0 $9.97 $4.56
EV Truck/SUV 45.6 0 $15.95 $7.29

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 15, 2026

Origin

Maple Valley, MI

Morning in Maple Valley on Friday

Local time

9:48 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Flint, MI

Morning in Flint on Friday

Local time

9:48 AM

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

10 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

2h 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 Maple Valley, MI to Flint, MI covers 113.9 miles and takes about 2h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are M 55, UAW Freeway, East West Branch Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 57 miles from Maple Valley, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.81 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.

The drive from Maple Valley, MI to Flint, MI is easy. At 2h with 9% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (East West Branch Road): Navigation decision point; at 103.2 miles (I 475 / UAW Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 113.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Maple Valley, MI to Flint, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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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