If you are planning a trip from Ann Arbor to Algonac, expect a straightforward journey covering approximately 87.6 miles. You can comfortably complete this 1 hour and 52 minute drive in a single day, making it an ideal excursion for those looking to explore the Midwest without needing an overnight stay. Budgeting about $13 for fuel should cover your travel costs, keeping the trip budget-friendly. Because you remain within Michigan, the transition between these two locations is seamless and familiar. This route serves as a practical connection between two distinct areas, offering a reliable path for travelers who value efficiency and simplicity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.8 miles from Ann Arbor, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
M 14
18.6 mi
19m
Edsel Ford Freeway
17.4 mi
22m
Ford Freeway
11.8 mi
12m
I 96
9.2 mi
9m
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
9.1 mi
9m
Dixie Highway
4.7 mi
7m
Pointe Tremble Road
4.3 mi
7m
23 Mile Road
3.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
M 14
— 18.6 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Algonac, MI.
1
Start on South State Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·South State Street
2
Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS
0.4 mi·1 min·East Huron Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 23 BUS
1.2 mi·2 min·North Main Street
4
Take the ramp onto US 23 BUS
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 23 BUS
Toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit
5
Merge onto M 14; US 23 BUS
1.1 mi·1 min·M 14; US 23 BUS
6
Keep right at fork onto M 14
2.4 mi·2 min·M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
7
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
15 mi·16 min·M 14
Exit 42Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, LivoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 96
9.2 mi·9 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
9.1 mi·9 min·Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Toward I 96 Express: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 190AToward I 94 East, I 94 West: Port Huron, ChicagoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 94 East: Port HuronUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 94
17 mi·22 min·Edsel Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 94
12 mi·12 min·Ford Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 243Toward M 29: New Baltimore, AlgonacUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto M 29
3.8 mi·6 min·23 Mile Road
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on M 29
1.5 mi·3 min·Green Street
17
Continue on M 29
0.6 mi·58 sec·Main Street
18
Continue on M 29
4.7 mi·7 min·Dixie Highway
19
Continue on M 29
2.8 mi·4 min·Dyke Road
20
Continue on M 29
4.3 mi·7 min·Pointe Tremble Road
21
Continue on M 29
0.4 mi·38 sec·Saint Clair River Drive
22
Turn left
333 ft·26 sec
23
Turn right
31 ft·2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily head out in the morning to maximize your time in Algonac, or opt for a later start without the stress of a long-distance haul. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can plan your own breaks along the way to suit your preferences. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge when merging onto the Ford Freeway to ensure you have enough to complete the final leg of the 87.6-mile drive. Utilizing the highway stretches early in your journey is the best way to maintain a consistent pace before navigating local roads.
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 43.8 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 18.6 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 19 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.8 miles or 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 1h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Algonac, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ann Arbor, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ann Arbor, MI
This is one driving day of about 87.6 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Ann Arbor, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on M 14 for about 18.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 68.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
5.5 mi into trip|~8m in|M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42
Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
7
29.8 mi into trip|~34m in|I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express) toward I 96 Express: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 96 Express: Downtown
8
38.8 mi into trip|~44m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Port Huron, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 190A
Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Port Huron, Chicag...
7
39.1 mi into trip|~45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East: Port Huron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 94 East: Port Huron
8
68.8 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward M 29: New Baltimore, Algonac
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 243
Toward M 29: New Baltimore, Algonac
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.70 one way
$27.39 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.04
$30.07
premium
$4.89
$16.86
$33.72
diesel
$5.61
$19.34
$38.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.3
0
$9.20
$4.20
Efficient EV
21.9
0
$7.66
$3.50
EV Truck/SUV
35
0
$12.26
$5.61
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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 14, 2026
Origin
Ann Arbor, MI
Late night
in Ann Arbor on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
81°F
Mostly Sunny
WSW 15 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 14 at 4:07PM EDT until April 19 at 6:30PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 14 at 4:00PM EDT until April 17 at 2:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Algonac, MI
Late night
in Algonac on Sunday
Local time
3:34 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
49°F
Roseville, MI
44 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
34 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
1h 52m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip features a mixed drive profile, blending fast highway travel with local road navigation. You will spend roughly 54% of your journey on major thoroughfares, including M 14, the Edsel Ford Freeway, and the Ford Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is an 18.6-mile segment on M 14, allowing for steady progress early in your trip. As you move away from the major freeways toward your destination, the road character shifts, requiring you to transition from high-speed highway driving to more localized traffic conditions. It is a functional route that prioritizes getting you to your destination efficiently.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.6 mi on M 14.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in near M 14.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.6 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 5.5 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
938 ft576 ft
Total Climb
120 ft
Total Descent
415 ft
Highest Point
938 ft
~6.3 mi in
Elevation Range
362 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ann Arbor, MI and Algonac, MI, road signs point toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia, Chicago and M 29: New Baltimore.
M 14 East: Plymouth
5.5 mi in|~8m|via M 14
Livonia
5.5 mi in|~8m|via M 14
Chicago
38.8 mi in|~44m
M 29: New Baltimore
68.8 mi in|~1h 21m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 87.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.6 miles on M 14. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Algonac, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Algonac, MI before heading back.
