Origin
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Morning in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday
Local time
9:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Southfield, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 54m
Distance
332.2 mi
535 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 42m
★
6 AM
5h 55m
8 AM
6h 21m
10 AM
6h 4m
12 PM
6h 1m
3 PM
6h 5m
5 PM
6h 20m
8 PM
5h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Southfield, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Southfield, MI covers 332.2 miles and takes about 5h 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, Southfield Road, Woodward Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 317.9 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.94 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
166.1 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 332.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 54m highway drive covering 332.2 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and Southfield Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 317.9 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 21 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 317.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Southfield Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 332.2 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 146.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
1.5 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
146.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m 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
281.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m 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
319.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 31m in
|
BL I 75
Take the exit onto BL I 75 toward I 75 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 75
Toward I 75 Business
6
326.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 43m in
|
West Maple Road
Turn right onto West Maple 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.
On the drive from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Southfield, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
Detroit
146.2 mi in
|
~2h 31m
|
via I 75
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 317.9 mi | 5h 27m |
| Southfield Road | 5.1 mi | 10m |
| Woodward Avenue | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| I 75 BL | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| East Easterday Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| BL I 75 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Bingham Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Oakland Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 317.9 mi, about 5h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Southfield, MI.
1
Start on Dawson Street
288 ft
·
17 sec
·
Dawson Street
2
Turn left onto Bingham Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bingham Avenue
3
Turn right onto East Easterday Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Easterday Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 75
144 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
I 75
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 75; US 23
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
38 mi
·
41 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto BL I 75
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
BL I 75
Exit 75
Toward I 75 Business
Use the slight right lane.
10
Continue on I 75 BL
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 75 BL
11
Turn right onto I 75 BL; US 24 BUS
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
Woodward Avenue
Use the right lane.
12
Turn slight left
410 ft
·
17 sec
13
Turn slight left onto I 75 BL; US 24 BUS
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Woodward Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Oakland Avenue
240 ft
·
12 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
16
Turn slight right onto Willits Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Willits Street
17
Keep slight left at fork onto North Chester Street
326 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Chester Street
18
Turn right onto West Maple Road
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Maple Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto Southfield Road
5.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Southfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto West 10 Mile Road
192 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 10 Mile Road
21
Arrive at destination
West 10 Mile Road
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 166.1 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, MI, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 317.9 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 73 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.1 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southfield, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sault Ste. Marie, 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI
This is one driving day of about 332.2 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, 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 75 for about 317.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 166.1 mi from Sault Ste. Marie, MI · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
166 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 166.1 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 317.9 miles.
Arriving in Southfield, MI
The final approach into Southfield, 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 Southfield, 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
$51.94 one way
$103.87 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $57.02 | $114.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $63.93 | $127.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.35 | $146.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.7 | 1 | $34.88 | $15.95 |
| Efficient EV | 83.1 | 0 | $29.07 | $13.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132.9 | 1 | $46.51 | $21.26 |
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Southfield, MI
Morning in Southfield on Friday
Local time
9:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
33 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
5h 54m 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Southfield, MI covers 332.2 miles and takes about 5h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Southfield Road, Woodward Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 166.1 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.94 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 16 significant decision points across 332.2 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 146.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Southfield, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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