Origin
South Haven, MI
Afternoon in South Haven on Thursday
Local time
3:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Trip from South Haven, MI to Flint, MI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 29m
Distance
165.4 mi
266 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 19m
★
6 AM
2h 29m
8 AM
2h 49m
10 AM
2h 36m
12 PM
2h 34m
3 PM
2h 37m
5 PM
2h 48m
8 PM
2h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
The drive from South Haven, MI to Flint, MI covers 165.4 miles and takes about 2h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Gerald R Ford Freeway, M 6 East, Paul B for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.86 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
82.7 miles from South Haven, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 165.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 29m drive with frequent turns across 165.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gerald R Ford Freeway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
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.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from South Haven, MI to Flint, MI is easy. At 2h 29m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from South Haven, MI to Flint, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald R Ford Freeway | — | — |
| M 6 East | — | — |
| Paul B | — | — |
| I-96 East | — | — |
| I 69 East | — | — |
| Saginaw Street | — | — |
| South Grand Traverse Street | — | — |
| West Fifth Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Gerald R Ford Freeway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Haven, MI and Flint, MI.
1
Start on Phoenix Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Phoenix Street
2
Take the ramp slight right
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
3
Merge slight left
24 mi
·
25 min
4
Keep slight right to continue on Gerald R Ford Freeway
20 mi
·
20 min
·
Gerald R Ford Freeway
5
Take the exit slight right toward M 6 East: Lansing
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
M 6 East: Lansing
6
Continue on Paul B. Henry Freeway
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Paul B. Henry Freeway
7
Keep slight right to continue on I-96 East: Lansing
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
·
I-96 East: Lansing
8
Merge slight left
42 mi
·
45 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 East: Flint
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 69 East: Flint
10
Merge slight left
55 mi
·
56 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward Saginaw Street, Downtown
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Saginaw Street, Downtown
12
Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Grand Traverse Street
13
Turn right onto West Fifth Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
West Fifth Street
14
Turn left onto Harrison Street
381 ft
·
21 sec
·
Harrison Street
15
Turn left onto East Court Street
236 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Court Street
16
Turn left
69 ft
·
7 sec
17
Turn right
92 ft
·
7 sec
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 82.7 miles from South Haven, MI, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
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 36 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.7 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 2m
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 South Haven, 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 South Haven, MI
This is one driving day of about 165.4 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from South Haven, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.7 mi from South Haven, MI · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.7 miles from South Haven, 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
$25.86 one way
$51.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.39 | $56.78 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.83 | $63.66 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.52 | $73.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.37 | $7.94 |
| Efficient EV | 41.4 | 0 | $14.47 | $6.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.16 | $10.59 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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
3:49 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.
Road read
2h 29m 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 South Haven, MI to Flint, MI covers 165.4 miles and takes about 2h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Gerald R Ford Freeway, M 6 East, Paul B. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.7 miles from South Haven, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.86 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 South Haven, MI to Flint, MI is easy. At 2h 29m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from South Haven, MI to Flint, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from South Haven, MI to Flint, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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