Ann Arbor to Grattan is 127.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 29 minutes via I 96 and US 23 BUS, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest and Michigan for its entirety. The route is mostly highway, making for a straightforward drive. It's designed for a single day, so you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Plan for a predictable and efficient transit between these two Michigan locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.9 miles from Ann Arbor, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
87.8 mi
1h 34m
US 23 BUS
14.9 mi
16m
Lincoln Lake Avenue
9.8 mi
13m
Grand River Avenue
2.5 mi
3m
Belding Road Northeast
1.6 mi
2m
South Hudson Street
1.4 mi
3m
Oberley Drive Southeast
1.3 mi
1m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 87.8 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Grattan, 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 left at fork onto US 23 BUS
15 mi·15 min·US 23 BUS
Toward US 23 North: FlintUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 60BToward I 96 West: LansingUse the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 96 West: Lansing, Brighton, Spencer Road
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·21 sec
Toward I 96 West: Lansing
10
Merge onto I 96
1.2 mi·1 min·I 96
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
55 mi·58 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
32 mi·33 min·I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·49 sec
Exit 59Toward ClarksvilleUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto Nash Highway
0.4 mi·39 sec·Nash Highway
15
Turn left onto Grand River Avenue
2.5 mi·3 min·Grand River Avenue
16
Turn right onto Hastings Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Hastings Road
17
Continue on Peck Lake Road
0.3 mi·22 sec·Peck Lake Road
18
Turn slight right
400 ft·6 sec
19
Continue on Conklin Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Conklin Road
20
Turn slight left onto Conklin Ware Cutoff
461 ft·7 sec·Conklin Ware Cutoff
21
Continue on Ware Road
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ware Road
22
Keep slight right at fork onto Montcalm Ware Cutoff
465 ft·7 sec·Montcalm Ware Cutoff
23
Continue on Montcalm Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·13 sec·Montcalm Avenue Southeast
24
Turn left onto Oberley Drive Southeast
1.3 mi·1 min·Oberley Drive Southeast
25
Continue on Grand River Drive Southeast
0.6 mi·1 min·Grand River Drive Southeast
26
Turn right onto Segwun Avenue
240 ft·4 sec·Segwun Avenue
27
Continue on South Hudson Street
1.4 mi·3 min·South Hudson Street
28
Continue on Hudson Street Southeast
0.1 mi·16 sec·Hudson Street Southeast
29
Continue on Lincoln Lake Avenue
9.8 mi·13 min·Lincoln Lake Avenue
30
Turn left onto M 44
1.6 mi·2 min·Belding Road Northeast
31
Turn right onto Old Belding Road Northeast
0.2 mi·20 sec·Old Belding Road Northeast
32
Arrive at destination
Old Belding Road Northeast
Trip Plan
With a total drive time under 2.5 hours, this route is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility for your departure. Consider leaving Ann Arbor in the morning to make the most of daylight, especially since there are no designated stops listed for this trip. The longest stretch without a planned stop is 87.8 miles on I 96, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Grattan, as the estimated cost is $20 and it’s wise to top off when needed. Because this is a short, direct route, you can easily adjust your timing based on traffic or personal preference.
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 63.9 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.9 miles or 1h 11m 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 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Grattan, 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.
+
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 Ann Arbor, MI
This is one driving day of about 127.8 miles and 2h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Ann Arbor, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 87.8 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 106.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.1 mi into trip|~6m in|US 23 BUS
Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS toward US 23 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 23 North: Flint
7
17.9 mi into trip|~22m in
Take the exit toward I 96 West: Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 60B
Toward I 96 West: Lansing
6
18.3 mi into trip|~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 West: Lansing, Brighton, Spencer Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 96 West: Lansing, Brighton, Spencer Ro...
6
18.6 mi into trip|~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 96 West: Lansing
7
106.6 mi into trip|~1h 57m in
Take the exit toward Clarksville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 59
Toward Clarksville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.98 one way
$39.96 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.94
$43.87
premium
$4.89
$24.59
$49.19
diesel
$5.61
$28.22
$56.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.3
0
$13.42
$6.13
Efficient EV
32
0
$11.18
$5.11
EV Truck/SUV
51.1
0
$17.89
$8.18
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Ann Arbor, MI
Late night
in Ann Arbor on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Grattan, MI
Late night
in Grattan on Sunday
Local time
3:29 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
2 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
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to be on the highway for about 80% of this 127.8-mile drive. You'll cover a significant stretch of 87.8 miles on I 96 before transitioning to surface roads. The shift from highway cruising to local roads will likely occur around Lincoln Lake Avenue. Given the highway percentage, anticipate a consistent pace with relatively few interruptions until you reach the latter portion of your trip.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.8 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 23 BUS. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near US 23 BUS.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 127.8 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 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Grattan, MI, road signs point toward Brighton and Clarksville.
Brighton
18.3 mi in|~22m
Clarksville
106.6 mi in|~1h 57m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 127.8 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 (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.8 miles on I 96. 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 Grattan, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Grattan, MI before heading back.
