This 251.3-mile drive from Bingham to Macomb, Michigan, will take you approximately 5 hours and 5 minutes to complete. Primarily on I-75 and M-72, this highway-focused route is well-suited for a single day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimated at $39. You'll spend about 71% of your journey on highways, making it a fairly direct path. Given its manageable duration and Midwest to Midwest regional context, it’s a straightforward journey for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
125.6 miles from Bingham, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
167.9 mi
2h 53m
M-72 West
31 mi
42m
East M 72
8.4 mi
11m
South West Bay Shore Drive
7.7 mi
11m
25 Mile Road
6.9 mi
10m
BL I 75
4.2 mi
4m
US 31 North
3.8 mi
6m
Tienken Road
3.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 167.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 37 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,092 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,972
Quietest
2 AM
~102 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.5×
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 Bingham, MI and Macomb, MI.
1
Start on CR 618
1.5 mi·3 min·East Bingham Road
2
At end of road, turn right onto M 22
7.7 mi·11 min·South West Bay Shore Drive
3
Turn slight left onto M 22
95 ft·6 sec·South West Bay Shore Drive
4
Turn left onto M 22; M 72
1.2 mi·2 min·West Grandview Parkway
5
Turn right onto North Union Street
0.4 mi·58 sec·North Union Street
6
Turn left onto East Eighth Street
2.2 mi·4 min·East Eighth Street
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto US 31; M 72
1.2 mi·2 min·Munson Avenue
8
Continue on US 31; M 72
3.8 mi·6 min·US 31 North
9
Turn right onto M 72
0.8 mi·1 min·East M 72
10
Enter roundabout onto M 72
116 ft·5 sec·East M 72
11
Continue on M 72
0.4 mi·35 sec·East M 72
12
Enter roundabout onto M 72
114 ft·1 sec·East M 72
13
Continue on M 72
7.2 mi·9 min·East M 72
14
Continue on M 72
7.7 mi·10 min·M-72 West
15
Continue on M 72
1.0 mi·1 min·West Mile Road Northwest
16
Turn right onto US 131; M 72; M 66
2.0 mi·3 min·North Cedar Street
17
Turn left onto M 72; M 66
23 mi·31 min·M-72 West
18
Continue on M 72; M 93
1.1 mi·2 min·M 72; M 93
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto BL I 75; M 72
1.4 mi·3 min·North James Street
Use the right lane.
20
Take the exit onto BL I 75
4.2 mi·4 min·BL I 75
Toward I 75 South
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
33 mi·35 min·I 75
24
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 81Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, LapeerUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on I 75 BL
0.2 mi·27 sec·I 75 BL
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL
0.6 mi·57 sec·I 75 BL
Toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac
27
Turn left
88 ft·3 sec
Use the left lane.
28
Turn left
154 ft·7 sec
29
Continue on Shimmons Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Shimmons Road
30
At end of road, turn left onto Shimmons Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Shimmons Road
31
At end of road, turn left onto North Squirrel Road
0.3 mi·37 sec·North Squirrel Road
32
Turn right onto Tienken Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Tienken Road
Use the right lane.
33
Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road
128 ft·3 sec·West Tienken Road
34
Continue on West Tienken Road
1.6 mi·3 min·West Tienken Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
35
Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road
159 ft·5 sec·East Tienken Road
36
Continue on East Tienken Road
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tienken Road
37
Enter roundabout onto Runyon Road
150 ft·3 sec·Runyon Road
38
Continue on Runyon Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Runyon Road
39
Continue on 25 Mile Road
6.0 mi·9 min·25 Mile Road
40
Enter roundabout onto 25 Mile Road
150 ft·4 sec·25 Mile Road
41
Continue on 25 Mile Road
0.9 mi·1 min·25 Mile Road
42
Enter roundabout
270 ft·7 sec
43
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 251.3-mile journey, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach urban areas. With a longest uninterrupted stretch of 167.9 miles, plan your single stop strategically for fuel or a meal. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is helpful for budgeting. As you'll be spending a significant portion on I-75, be aware of potential construction or traffic delays common to major interstates. This route is easily manageable as a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your timing.
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 125.6 miles from Bingham, MI, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.9 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 55 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.6 miles or 2h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macomb, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bingham, 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 Bingham, MI
This is one driving day of about 251.3 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Bingham, 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 I 75 for about 167.9 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.8 and 237.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
10.8 mi into trip|~18m in|East Eighth Street
Turn left onto East Eighth Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
61.6 mi into trip|~1h 32m in|BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street
Turn right onto BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
67.1 mi into trip|~1h 40m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
8
235 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 81
Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
6
237.7 mi into trip|~4h 41m in|Tienken Road
Turn right onto Tienken Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.11 one way
$74.22 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.97
$81.94
premium
$4.72
$46.66
$93.32
diesel
$4.80
$47.45
$94.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.4
0
$26.39
$12.06
Efficient EV
62.8
0
$21.99
$10.05
EV Truck/SUV
100.5
1
$35.18
$16.08
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Bingham, MI
Morning
in Bingham on Sunday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Areas Of Smoke
NW 10 to 15 mph32% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:41AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
Destination
Macomb, MI
Morning
in Macomb on Sunday
Local time
6:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 to 15 mph69% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:41AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
82°F
West Branch, MI
126 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
14 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
5h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacula...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 251.3-mile trip, with 71% of the drive utilizing major roadways like I-75 and M-72. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 167.9 miles primarily on I-75, offering a chance to maintain steady speeds. While the route is predominantly highway, the transition between I-75 and M-72 West/East M-72 will introduce some variations. This drive emphasizes efficient travel over extensive scenic detours, allowing you to cover distance with relative ease.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 167.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and M-72 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.8 miles in near East Eighth 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 28 significant decision points across 251.3 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 10.8 miles (East Eighth Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 61.6 miles (BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,202 ft587 ft
Total Climb
1,035 ft
Total Descent
1,124 ft
Highest Point
1,202 ft
~89.7 mi in
Elevation Range
616 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bingham, MI and Macomb, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M 24: Pontiac and Lapeer.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 251.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 167.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Macomb, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.8 miles (East Eighth Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 61.6 miles (BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.1 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Macomb, MI before the return drive.
