Origin
Shepherd, MI
Evening in Shepherd on Thursday
Local time
5:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 42m
Distance
82.7 mi
133 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Shepherd, MI
Irina Solianyk
Spanning 82.7 miles across the Midwest, this trip from Shepherd to Flint is a straightforward journey that typically takes 1 hour and 42 minutes to complete. Because the duration is quite manageable, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won’t need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $13 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your schedule. By combining local roads like Gratiot Road and East Monroe Road with the efficiency of I-75, you get a balanced experience that moves you efficiently between these two Michigan locations. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a practical and predictable travel experience.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
41.3 miles from Shepherd, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 42m. Total distance: 82.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
This 82.7-mile route offers a mixed driving profile, alternating between local surface roads and high-speed interstate travel. With highway driving accounting for 50% of the journey, you will experience a shift in pace as you transition from smaller roads onto I-75. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 23.2-mile segment on the interstate, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm behind the wheel. As you navigate away from the local roads, the drive becomes more focused on steady highway cruising. It is a functional route that keeps you moving, blending the slower, more tactical pace of local driving with the directness of Michigan's major highway system.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
198 ft
Total Descent
218 ft
Highest Point
793 ft
~76.7 mi in
Elevation Range
191 ft
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 9.1 miles (M 46 / West Monroe Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 48.4 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward US 127 South: Lansing
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto M 46 / West Monroe Road
Lane positioning matters here
Enter roundabout toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475 / UAW Freeway toward I 475: Downtown Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Turn right onto M 21 / East Court Street
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Shepherd, MI and Flint, MI, road signs point toward Bus Us 127, M 46 West: Alma and Edmore.
Bus Us 127
M 46 West: Alma
Edmore
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 23.2 mi | 24m |
| Gratiot Road | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| East Monroe Road | 10.4 mi | 14m |
| UAW Freeway | 10 mi | 10m |
| US 127 | 7.6 mi | 7m |
| West Monroe Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| West Saginaw Street | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| East Holland Avenue | 2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Shepherd, MI and Flint, MI.
Start on North 2nd Street
Turn left onto West Wright Avenue
Continue on East Blanchard Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 127
Take the exit onto US 127 BUS
Turn left onto M 46
Continue on US 127 BUS; M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Turn right onto M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Continue on M 46
Turn right onto M 46
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 475
Take the exit
Continue on Chavez Drive
Turn right onto M 21
Turn left
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total scheduling flexibility, allowing you to depart whenever best fits your day. You won't need to plan for any mandatory stops given the 1 hour and 42 minute duration, but keeping your fuel tank in mind for the $13 estimated cost is a smart way to stay prepared. If you prefer a quieter drive, aim to hit the road outside of peak traffic hours to make the most of the 50% highway portion of your journey. Pay close attention to your transitions between Gratiot Road, East Monroe Road, and I-75, as the road character changes significantly at these junctions. Keeping a steady pace during that 23.2-mile stretch on I-75 will help you maintain your arrival time effectively.
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.
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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 41.3 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flint, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Shepherd, 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 Shepherd, MI
This is one driving day of about 82.7 miles and 1h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 41.3 mi from Shepherd, MI · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Shepherd, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$12.93 one way
$25.86 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $14.20 | $28.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.91 | $31.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $18.26 | $36.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.8 | 0 | $8.68 | $3.97 |
| Efficient EV | 20.7 | 0 | $7.24 | $3.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.1 | 0 | $11.58 | $5.29 |
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Shepherd on Thursday
Local time
5:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Flint on Thursday
Local time
5:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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