Trip from Ann Arbor, MI to Houghton Lake, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 12m

Distance

175.4 mi

282 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

13 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 0m ★

6 AM

3h 12m

8 AM

3h 36m

10 AM

3h 20m

12 PM

3h 18m

3 PM

3h 21m

5 PM

3h 34m

8 PM

3h 5m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Ann Arbor, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Houghton Lake, MI

Kevin Carrera

Trip Overview

The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Houghton Lake, MI covers 175.4 miles and takes about 3h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 23 BUS, I 75, M 55 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 94.9 miles on US 23 BUS. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.42 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

87.7 miles from Ann Arbor, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 23 BUS	94.9 mi	1h 41m
I 75	62.9 mi	1h 3m
M 55	14.6 mi	21m
North Main Street	1.2 mi	2m
M 14	1.1 mi	1m
East Huron Street	0.4 mi	1m
South State Street	0.3 mi	<1m
Stone School Road	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: US 23 BUS — 94.9 mi, about 1h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Houghton Lake, MI.

Start on South State Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · South State Street

Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Huron Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto US 23 BUS

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Main Street

Take the ramp onto US 23 BUS

0.2 mi · 20 sec · US 23 BUS

Toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit

Merge onto M 14; US 23 BUS

1.1 mi · 1 min · M 14; US 23 BUS

Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS

95 mi · 1 hr 41 min · US 23 BUS

Toward US 23 North: Flint Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

63 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 75; US 23

Keep slight right at fork onto M 55

15 mi · 21 min · M 55

Exit 227 Toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac

Turn left onto Stone School Road

67 ft · 2 sec · Stone School Road

Arrive at destination

Stone School Road

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 87.7 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 1h 36m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.9 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 39 miles or 44m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 87.7 miles or 1h 36m 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 33m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houghton Lake, 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 175.4 miles and 3h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Ann Arbor, 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 23 BUS for about 94.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Freeland, MI

88 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

Clyde, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Freeland, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.7 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 23 BUS if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 94.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1 mi

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.4 mi

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.5 mi

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+17348004135

Visit website

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17342229202

Visit website

Zingerman's Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17349296060

Visit website

Dozer Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17349295217

Visit website

Stardust Entertainment Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 87.7

Saginaw, Michigan

Hours: 12–11 pm

+19897936300

Visit website

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17343692494

Visit website

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17347807060

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17345445450

Visit website

Thread Creek Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 25.1

Howell, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18107469302

Visit website

Black Diesel Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17344368355

Visit website

Venue Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17348229821

Visit website

Rawaq Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv

Ann Arbor, Michigan

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route mile 37.6

Fenton, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18102151088

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 50.1

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 50.1

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Airborne Adventure Park - Saginaw, MI

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 87.7

Saginaw, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19895960022

Visit website

Bay City State Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 100.2

Bay City, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+19896843020

Visit website

Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 87.7

University Center, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19899647125

Visit website

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 50.1

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 160.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street

Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | US 23 BUS / North Main Street

Turn right onto US 23 BUS / North Main Street

Navigation decision point

1.9 mi into trip | ~4m in | US 23 BUS

Take the ramp onto US 23 BUS toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit

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

160.7 mi into trip | ~2h 50m in | M 55

Keep slight right at fork onto M 55 toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 227 Toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.42 one way

$54.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$30.11	$60.22
premium	$4.89	$33.75	$67.51
diesel	$5.61	$38.73	$77.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 61.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Gigahub, Briarwood Cir, Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor, MI

BP_PULSE

20 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Ypsilanti, MI

Tesla

12 DCFC

Target T0634 (Ann Arbor, MI)

Ann Arbor, MI

Electrify America

8 DCFC

Meijer - Tesla Supercharger

Ann Arbor, MI

Tesla

8 DCFC

MEIJER STORES 064 SALINE RD 1

Ann Arbor, MI

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

WCC HFC HFC4

Ann Arbor, MI

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

WASHTENAW BP 1

Ann Arbor, MI

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

MEIJER STORES 064 SALINE RD 2

Ann Arbor, MI

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 9 Tesla: 2 Electrify America: 1 BP_PULSE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52.6	$18.42	$8.42
Efficient EV	43.9	$15.35	$7.02
EV Truck/SUV	70.2	$24.56	$11.23

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

21 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 19, 2026

Origin

Ann Arbor, MI

Afternoon in Ann Arbor on Sunday

Local time

12:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

W 8 to 16 mph 60% chance Live forecast

Destination

Houghton Lake, MI

Afternoon in Houghton Lake on Sunday

Local time

12:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

36°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

14 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 12m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

175.4 mi in 3h 12m, mostly highway — 94.9 mi of that is on US 23 BUS.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

10 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 94.9 mi on US 23 BUS.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 BUS and I 75. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 175.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.3 miles (I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 23 BUS / North Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (US 23 BUS): 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 Houghton Lake, MI, road signs point toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake and Cadillac.

M 55 West: Houghton Lake

160.7 mi in | ~2h 50m | via M 55

Cadillac

160.7 mi in | ~2h 50m | via M 55

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 12m. Total distance: 175.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 94.9 miles on US 23 BUS. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Houghton Lake, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Ann Arbor, MI to Houghton Lake, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Misfit Society Coffee Club

Comet Coffee

Misfit Society Coffee Club

The Drip House Coffee

RoosRoast Coffee

Zingerman's Coffee Company

Dozer Coffee

Stardust Entertainment Center

Comet Coffee

RoosRoast Liberty

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

Jabal Coffee House

Thread Creek Coffee

Black Diesel Coffee

Venue Coffee

Rawaq Cafe

Dodge Road Rest Area 631

Alger Rest Area 625

Bay City Rest Area 605

Clio Rest Area 612

Linwood Rest Area 626

Fenton Rest Area 624

West Branch Rest Area 433

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

TA

Flying J Travel Center

Northfield Church Rest Area 814

M-81 Express Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Painting with a Twist

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Leslie Science & Nature Center

Flint Children's Museum

Airborne Adventure Park - Saginaw, MI

Bay City State Park

Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum

Sloan Museum of Discovery

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Ann Arbor, MI

Houghton Lake, MI

Same local time

14 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 12m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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