Origin
Southfield, MI
Evening in Southfield on Wednesday
Local time
5:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Southfield, MI to Cadillac, MI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
3h 46m
Distance
196.4 mi
316 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southfield, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Cadillac, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Southfield, MI to Cadillac, MI covers 196.4 miles and takes about 3h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 10, I 75, Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 56.9 miles on US 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $30.70 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.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.2 miles from Southfield, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 46m highway drive covering 196.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 10 and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 56.9 miles on US 10.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 56.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 196.4 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (US 24 / Telegraph Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles (US 24 BUS / Franklin Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
3.4 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the exit toward US 24 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 18A
Toward US 24 North
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 24 / Telegraph Road
Merge onto US 24 / Telegraph Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
11.3 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 24 BUS / Franklin Road
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 BUS / Franklin Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
11.4 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 24 BUS / West Square Lake Road
Turn right onto US 24 BUS / West Square Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
14.2 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
BL I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto BL I 75 toward I 75 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southfield, MI and Cadillac, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington and M 115: Cadillac.
To M 115: Ludington
150.4 mi in
|
~2h 44m
|
via US 10
M 115: Cadillac
158 mi in
|
~2h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 10 | 56.9 mi | 56m |
| I 75 | 51.3 mi | 54m |
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 34.6 mi | 37m |
| Cadillac Drive | 34.2 mi | 46m |
| Telegraph Road | 7.6 mi | 11m |
| Mackinaw Trail | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| John C Lodge Freeway | 2 mi | 2m |
| South Mitchell Street | 1.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 56.9 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southfield, MI and Cadillac, MI.
1
Start on West 10 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 10 Mile Road
2
Turn right onto Northwestern Highway
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwestern Highway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward M 10 North
4
Merge onto M 10
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
John C Lodge Freeway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 18A
Toward US 24 North
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 24
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
Telegraph Road
Use the right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 BUS
450 ft
·
11 sec
·
Franklin Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Turn right onto US 24 BUS
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West Square Lake Road
Use the right lane.
9
Continue on I 75 BL; US 24 BUS
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Square Lake Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto BL I 75
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
BL I 75
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 75
35 mi
·
37 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 162B
Toward US 10 West: Midland
14
Continue on US 10
11 mi
·
11 min
·
US 10
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
38 mi
·
38 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
16
Take the exit onto US 10
7.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 115: Cadillac
18
Turn right onto M 115
34 mi
·
46 min
·
Cadillac Drive
19
Turn right onto Mackinaw Trail
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Mackinaw Trail
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto US 131 Business
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Mitchell Street
21
Turn left onto West Pine Street
94 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Pine Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Pine Street
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 98.2 miles from Southfield, MI, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.9 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 43 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.2 miles or 1h 51m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cadillac, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Southfield, 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 Southfield, MI
This is one driving day of about 196.4 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Southfield, 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 US 10 for about 56.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.2 mi from Southfield, MI · 1h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.2 miles from Southfield, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cadillac, MI
The final approach into Cadillac, 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 Cadillac, 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
$30.70 one way
$61.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.71 | $67.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.80 | $75.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.36 | $86.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.62 | $9.43 |
| Efficient EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.19 | $7.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.50 | $12.57 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Cadillac, MI
Evening in Cadillac on Wednesday
Local time
5:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
44°F
Millington, MI
98 mi in
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
28 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
3h 46m 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 Southfield, MI to Cadillac, MI covers 196.4 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, I 75, Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.2 miles from Southfield, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.70 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 196.4 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 3.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.7 miles (US 24 / Telegraph Road): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles (US 24 BUS / Franklin Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Southfield, MI and Cadillac, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington and M 115: Cadillac.
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