Ann Arbor to Woodland is 97 miles and takes about 1 hour 57 minutes via I 96 and US 23 BUS, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on well-maintained highways, making it a convenient option for a quick journey. If you're looking for a simple, efficient route with minimal fuss, this drive fits the bill. Expect a practical and direct experience from start to finish.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.5 miles from Ann Arbor, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
40.1 mi
43m
East Mount Hope Highway
19 mi
25m
US 23 BUS
14.9 mi
16m
Ransom E Olds Freeway
9.6 mi
10m
West Saint Joseph Highway
3 mi
4m
East Barnum Road
2 mi
2m
North Main Street
1.2 mi
2m
M 14
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 40.1 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Woodland, 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
39 mi·41 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 106BToward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing
13
Merge onto I 496; US 127
2.8 mi·3 min·Ransom E Olds Freeway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 496
6.7 mi·7 min·Ransom E Olds Freeway
Toward I 496 West: Downtown Lansing
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·54 sec
Exit 1BToward Creyts Road North
16
Turn right onto South Creyts Road
0.3 mi·44 sec·South Creyts Road
17
Turn left onto West Saint Joseph Highway
3.0 mi·4 min·West Saint Joseph Highway
18
Turn left onto Nixon Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Nixon Road
19
Turn right onto East Mount Hope Highway
19 mi·25 min·East Mount Hope Highway
20
Continue on East Barnum Road
2.0 mi·2 min·East Barnum Road
21
Turn right onto Velte Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Velte Road
22
Turn left onto M 43
0.5 mi·41 sec·East Carlton Center Road
23
Continue on M 43
0.5 mi·53 sec·East Broadway Street
24
Arrive at destination
M 43
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of under 2 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to plan for one fuel stop, as the estimated cost is around $15 for the 97 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Woodland, as it's advisable to top off before reaching your final destination. Since the drive is brief, you can afford to leave later in the morning or early afternoon, maximizing your time before heading out.
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 48.5 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.1 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.5 miles or 55m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodland, 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 97 miles and 1h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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 40.1 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 20.1 — 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
6
20.1 mi into trip|~24m in|I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.16 one way
$30.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.65
$33.30
premium
$4.89
$18.67
$37.33
diesel
$5.61
$21.42
$42.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.1
0
$10.18
$4.66
Efficient EV
24.3
0
$8.49
$3.88
EV Truck/SUV
38.8
0
$13.58
$6.21
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 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 20, 2026
Origin
Ann Arbor, MI
Morning
in Ann Arbor on Tuesday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
25°F
Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Mostly Clear
NW 6 to 15 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Woodland, MI
Morning
in Woodland on Tuesday
Local time
7:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°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
36 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 57m 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 drive has a highway-focused profile, with 67% of the journey utilizing major roads like I 96 and US 23 BUS. You'll experience a significant stretch of 40.1 miles on I 96, offering a consistent pace. While much of the route is on faster highways, you will transition onto roads like East Mount Hope Highway, which may offer a change in scenery and speed. The overall feel is one of efficient travel, prioritizing directness over winding, scenic byways.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.1 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and East Mount Hope Highway. 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 Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 97 miles you will encounter 20 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 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 Woodland, MI, road signs point toward Brighton and Creyts Road North.
Brighton
18.3 mi in|~22m
Creyts Road North
69.3 mi in|~1h 18m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 57m. Total distance: 97 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.1 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 Woodland, 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 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 Woodland, MI before heading back.
