Ann Arbor, MI to Ishpeming, MI is 452.4 miles and takes about 8h 26m via I 75 and M-28, with a fuel budget near $80 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, beginning in the Midwest and ending in the Upper Peninsula. Given the distance and duration, it's planned as an overnight trip, offering a good way to experience the transition from southern Michigan to the more rugged northern terrain. Consider this drive if you're looking for a straightforward route with minimal route changes.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
226.2 miles from Ann Arbor, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
180.5 mi
3h 4m
US 23 BUS
94.9 mi
1h 41m
M-28
70.9 mi
1h 23m
US-2 West
62.1 mi
1h 12m
M 77
17.3 mi
20m
County Road 480
12.5 mi
18m
US 2
3.2 mi
3m
East Munising
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 180.5 mi, about 3h 4m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,617 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Ishpeming, 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
95 mi·1 hr 41 min·US 23 BUS
Toward US 23 North: FlintUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
63 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 75; US 23
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
118 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 75
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 344BToward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
10
Merge onto US 2; I 75 BL
0.7 mi·1 min·US-2 West
11
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi·3 min·US 2
12
Continue on US 2
61 mi·1 hr 11 min·US-2 West
13
Turn right onto M 77
17 mi·20 min·M 77
14
Turn sharp left onto M 28
35 mi·41 min·M-28
15
Continue on M 28
0.2 mi·28 sec·Cedar Street
16
Enter roundabout onto M 28
194 ft·11 sec·East Munising
17
Continue on M 28
2.2 mi·4 min·East Munising
18
Continue on M 28
36 mi·42 min·M-28
19
Continue on CR 551
1.8 mi·2 min·Cherry Creek Road
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto CR 480
13 mi·18 min·County Road 480
21
Continue on Rail Street
0.4 mi·36 sec·Rail Street
22
Turn left onto Division Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Division Street
23
At end of road, turn right onto County Road
1.3 mi·2 min·County Road
24
Continue on M 28 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·East Division Street
25
Turn left onto South 1st Street
15 ft·0 sec·South 1st Street
26
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Plan to drive about half the distance on day one, allowing for at least two stops for fuel and breaks. The longest stretch without a major road change is 180.5 miles on I 75, so be sure to fuel up before reaching that segment. While most of the drive is highway, keep an eye out for the transition to M-28 as you get closer to Ishpeming, where the road type will change.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 226.2 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 3h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 100 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 226.2 miles or 3h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 226.2 miles or 3h 58m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ishpeming, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ann Arbor, MI
Aim for roughly 226 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Ishpeming, MI
Aim for roughly 226 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Ann Arbor, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 180.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 396.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
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.
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
6
278.4 mi into trip|~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 344B
Toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
5
361.4 mi into trip|~6h 29m in|M 28 / M-28
Turn sharp left onto M 28 / M-28
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
396.6 mi into trip|~7h 11m in|M 28 / East Munising
Enter roundabout onto M 28 / East Munising
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.81 one way
$133.62 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg158 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$73.76
$147.51
premium
$4.72
$84.00
$167.99
diesel
$4.80
$85.42
$170.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$67
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 158.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
135.7
1
$47.50
$21.72
Efficient EV
113.1
1
$39.59
$18.10
EV Truck/SUV
181
2
$63.34
$28.95
Gas CO2
158 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 14, 2026
Origin
Ann Arbor, MI
Late night
in Ann Arbor on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
99°F
Sunny
W 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 10:14AM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 14 at 3:26AM EDT until July 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Destination
Ishpeming, MI
Late night
in Ishpeming on Sunday
Local time
2:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
NW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 14 at 10:14AM EDT until July 15 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 14 at 3:26AM EDT until July 14 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
57°F
Conway, MI
226 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
5 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
8h 26m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coa...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$25
near mile 374.4
Park Closure: Munising Falls Trail Closed Until Further Notice
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 75% of the 452.4 miles on major routes. You'll experience a long stretch of 180.5 miles on I 75 before transitioning to US 23 BUS and then M-28. Expect a significant portion of the drive to involve cruising on interstates, with the remainder being on two-lane state highways as you head north.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 23 BUS. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 452.4 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 0.3 miles (I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,413 ft591 ft
Total Climb
1,725 ft
Total Descent
1,189 ft
Highest Point
1,413 ft
~452.4 mi in
Elevation Range
822 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Ishpeming, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.
Ann Arbor — often abbreviated as AA or A2 — is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city's wonderful sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities.
Ann Arbor is in Michigan 35 miles (56 km) north of the Ohio border and 45 miles (72 km) west of Detroit, near where the furthest exurban fringes give way to country and small towns. In 2019, the city had a population of about 120,000 people, and thousands of visitors come to town for football games and various festivals.
Top landmarks
•Detroit Observatory — astronomical observatory in Ann Arbor, United States of America
•Kelsey Museum of Archaeology — archaeology museum in Newberry Hall
•Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum — museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
The longest stretch is about 180.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 226 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 35 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Ishpeming, 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. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ishpeming, MI before the return drive.
