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Trip from Shepherd, MI to Flint, MI

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

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 34m ★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 46m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m

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

Downtown Shepherd, MI, MI

Shepherd, MI

Irina Solianyk

Trip Overview

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 .

Who Is This Route For?

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.

Drive Character

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.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 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 23.2 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

793 ft 603 ft

Total Climb

198 ft

Total Descent

218 ft

Highest Point

793 ft

~76.7 mi in

Elevation Range

191 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Driving Effort 6/10

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

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

5
0.9 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward US 127 South: Lansing

Navigation decision point

Toward US 127 South: Lansing
6
9.1 mi into trip | ~11m in | M 46 / West Monroe Road

Turn left onto M 46 / West Monroe Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
48.4 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Enter roundabout toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
6
71.9 mi into trip | ~1h 29m 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
6
82.4 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in | M 21 / East Court Street

Turn right onto M 21 / East Court Street

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 Shepherd, MI and Flint, MI, road signs point toward Bus Us 127, M 46 West: Alma and Edmore.

Bus Us 127

8.7 mi in | ~10m | via US 127 BUS

M 46 West: Alma

8.7 mi in | ~10m | via US 127 BUS

Edmore

8.7 mi in | ~10m | via US 127 BUS

Main Roads

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
Longest stretch: I 75 — 23.2 mi, about 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North 2nd Street

61 ft · 9 sec · North 2nd Street
2

Turn left onto West Wright Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Wright Avenue
3

Continue on East Blanchard Road

0.2 mi · 26 sec · East Blanchard Road
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 34 sec
Toward US 127 South: Lansing
5

Merge onto US 127

7.6 mi · 7 min · US 127
6

Take the exit onto US 127 BUS

0.3 mi · 48 sec · US 127 BUS
Toward BUS US 127, M 46 WEST: Alma, Edmore
7

Turn left onto M 46

2.4 mi · 3 min · West Monroe Road
Use the straight lane.
8

Continue on US 127 BUS; M 46

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Washington Avenue
9

Continue on M 46

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Washington Street
10

Continue on M 46

5.4 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
11

Continue on M 46

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Saginaw Street
12

Continue on M 46

5.0 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
13

Continue on M 46

1.2 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Road
14

Continue on M 46

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Saginaw Street
15

Continue on M 46

0.4 mi · 48 sec · East Saginaw Street
16

Continue on M 46

4.1 mi · 4 min · Gratiot Road
17

Continue on M 46

0.2 mi · 11 sec · North Saginaw Street
18

Continue on M 46

0.6 mi · 38 sec · West Saginaw Street
19

Continue on M 46

11 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
20

Continue on M 46

1.2 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn right onto M 46

0.4 mi · 31 sec · Stephens Street
22

Continue on M 46

464 ft · 6 sec · Rust Street
23

Continue on M 46

1.6 mi · 2 min · Rust Avenue Bridge
24

Continue on M 46

0.3 mi · 23 sec · South Warren Avenue
25

Turn right onto M 46

2.0 mi · 2 min · East Holland Avenue
Use the right lane.
26

Enter roundabout

238 ft · 13 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
27

Continue

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
28

Merge onto I 75; US 23

23 mi · 24 min · I 75; US 23
29

Keep slight right at fork onto I 475

10.0 mi · 10 min · UAW Freeway
Exit 125 Toward I 475: Downtown Flint
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 7 Toward M 21
31

Continue on Chavez Drive

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Chavez Drive
32

Turn right onto M 21

0.2 mi · 31 sec · East Court Street
Use the right lane.
33

Turn left

68 ft · 6 sec
34

Turn right

93 ft · 6 sec
35

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

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.

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 41.3 miles from Shepherd, MI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.2 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 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.

Before You Leave

+

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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Shepherd, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 23.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 41.3 mi from Shepherd, MI · 55m into the drive

Downtown Ann Arbor, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ann Arbor, MI

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.

Popular next leg

Ann Arbor, MI to Flint, MI

54.5 mi · 1h 4m

Pacing Suggestions

Canton, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ann Arbor, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.3 miles from Shepherd, 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.

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.93 one way

$25.86 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Shepherd, MI

Evening in Shepherd on Thursday

Local time

5:59 PM

EDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Flint, MI

Evening in Flint on Thursday

Local time

5:59 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

4 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

1h 42m 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 Shepherd, MI to Flint, MI covers 82.7 miles and takes about 1h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, Gratiot Road, East Monroe Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 41.3 miles from Shepherd, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.93 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 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.
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.
Between Shepherd, MI and Flint, MI, road signs point toward Bus Us 127, M 46 West: Alma and Edmore.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Flint, MI to Shepherd, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

83 mi 1h 42m

Explore more options from Shepherd, MI or browse trips ending in Flint, MI.

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