This 115.2-mile drive from Ann Arbor to Paw Paw, MI, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in just over 2 hours. Primarily utilizing I-94, it's a highway-focused route designed for efficiency, making it an ideal one-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of around $18, this journey through the Midwest region of Michigan is quite budget-friendly. You won't need to break it up into multiple days, and the relatively short duration means you can be flexible with your departure time. This route is all about getting you from point A to point B without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.6 miles from Ann Arbor, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
111.5 mi
1h 59m
East Huron Street
1.3 mi
3m
Jackson Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
South Kalamazoo Street
0.4 mi
<1m
M-40
0.3 mi
<1m
South State Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Kalamazoo Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 111.5 mi, about 1h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Paw Paw, 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
1.3 mi·3 min·East Huron Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on I 94 BL
0.9 mi·1 min·Jackson Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward I 94 West: Jackson
5
Merge onto I 94
112 mi·1 hr 59 min·I 94
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward M 40: Lawton, Paw Paw
7
Turn right onto M 40
0.3 mi·37 sec·M-40
8
Continue on M 40
0.4 mi·56 sec·South Kalamazoo Street
9
Arrive at destination
M 40
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, this trip works perfectly as a day trip. You can leave Ann Arbor any time that suits you, but an early start will give you more flexibility upon arrival in Paw Paw. The longest stretch without a major change is 111.5 miles on I-94, so plan for a mid-drive break if needed, though there are ample services along the interstate. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $18, which is quite manageable, but it's always wise to fill up before you hit the longer highway segments if you're starting with a low tank.
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 57.6 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.5 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.6 miles or 1h 5m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paw Paw, 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 115.2 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 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 94 for about 111.5 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 5
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 114.5 — 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.
3
2.4 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 94 West: Jackson
Navigation decision point
Toward I 94 West: Jackson
3
2.7 mi into trip|~6m in|I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
114.2 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward M 40: Lawton, Paw Paw
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward M 40: Lawton, Paw Paw
4
114.5 mi into trip|~2h 6m in|M 40 / M-40
Turn right onto M 40 / M-40
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.01 one way
$36.02 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.77
$39.55
premium
$4.89
$22.17
$44.34
diesel
$5.61
$25.43
$50.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.6
0
$12.10
$5.53
Efficient EV
28.8
0
$10.08
$4.61
EV Truck/SUV
46.1
0
$16.13
$7.37
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 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 16, 2026
Origin
Ann Arbor, MI
Evening
in Ann Arbor on Sunday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Paw Paw, MI
Evening
in Paw Paw on Sunday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Homer, MI
58 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
22 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 8m 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 a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 97% of the drive on interstate roads. The bulk of your journey, a continuous 111.5-mile stretch, will be on I-94. This means consistent speeds and minimal distractions, allowing for a focused drive. While it is a highway-focused profile, you’ll start and end on local roads, East Huron Street and Jackson Avenue in Ann Arbor, before merging onto the interstate. The character remains largely consistent once on I-94, offering a predictable driving experience.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.5 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and East Huron Street. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Paw Paw, MI is easy. At 2h 8m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
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 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 115.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 111.5 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.4 miles: Navigation decision point; at 2.7 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Paw Paw, MI before heading back.
