Cedar Creek, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is 96.1 miles and takes about 2 hours via I 94 and South State Highway 37, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a necessary commute. You'll find it’s a short enough journey that you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay, offering flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.1 miles from Cedar Creek, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
67.3 mi
1h 12m
South State Highway 37
10.7 mi
15m
East Michigan Avenue
5.1 mi
6m
West Pifer Road
3.5 mi
4m
I 94 BL
3 mi
6m
Michigan Avenue West
2.5 mi
4m
Cedar Creek Road
1.4 mi
5m
West Hamblin Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 67.3 mi, about 1h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Creek, MI and Ann Arbor, MI.
1
Start on Cedar Creek Road
1.4 mi·5 min·Cedar Creek Road
2
At end of road, turn left onto West Pifer Road
3.5 mi·4 min·West Pifer Road
3
Turn right onto M 37
11 mi·15 min·South State Highway 37
4
Continue on M 37
0.7 mi·1 min·Bedford Road North
5
Turn left onto M 89
2.5 mi·4 min·Michigan Avenue West
6
Turn right onto M 89
0.2 mi·17 sec·South Washington Avenue
7
Turn left onto West Hamblin Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·West Hamblin Avenue
8
Continue on I 94 BL
352 ft·8 sec·Hamblin Street
9
Turn right onto I 94 BL
2.0 mi·2 min·East Michigan Avenue
10
Turn right onto I 94 BL
55 ft·4 sec·I 94 BL
11
Continue on I 94 BL; M 96
0.1 mi·7 sec·East Columbia Avenue
12
Merge onto I 94 BL; M 96
3.1 mi·3 min·East Michigan Avenue
13
Turn sharp left onto I 94 BL; M 311
349 ft·6 sec·11 Mile Road
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
15
Merge onto I 94
67 mi·1 hr 11 min·I 94
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
0.6 mi·36 sec·I 94
Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor
17
Take the exit onto I 94 BL
3.0 mi·6 min·I 94 BL
Exit 172Toward I 94 Business: Ann ArborUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South State Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·South State Street
19
Arrive at destination
South State Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 2-hour duration, you have the flexibility to depart at any time that suits your schedule, though an early morning start will help you avoid any potential midday traffic. With only 96.1 miles to cover, you likely won't need extensive stops for fuel or rest, but it's always wise to check your fuel gauge before departing, especially since the estimated fuel cost is around $15. Keep an eye out for the transition from I 94 to South State Highway 37 and then East Michigan Avenue, as these are your main navigation points for reaching Ann Arbor efficiently.
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 48.1 miles from Cedar Creek, MI, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.3 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.1 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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ann Arbor, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cedar Creek, 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 Cedar Creek, MI
This is one driving day of about 96.1 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Cedar Creek, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 67.3 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 92.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip|~5m in|West Pifer Road
At end of road, turn left onto West Pifer Road
Navigation decision point
5
25.2 mi into trip|~40m in|I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road
Turn sharp left onto I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
7
25.2 mi into trip|~40m in
Take the exit toward I 94 East: Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
6
92.3 mi into trip|~1h 52m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor
7
92.9 mi into trip|~1h 53m in|I 94 BL
Take the exit onto I 94 BL toward I 94 Business: Ann Arbor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 172
Toward I 94 Business: Ann Arbor
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.02 one way
$30.05 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.50
$32.99
premium
$4.89
$18.49
$36.99
diesel
$5.61
$21.22
$42.44
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: 33.6 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
28.8
0
$10.09
$4.61
Efficient EV
24
0
$8.41
$3.84
EV Truck/SUV
38.4
0
$13.45
$6.15
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 17, 2026
Origin
Cedar Creek, MI
Morning
in Cedar Creek on Tuesday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Ann Arbor, MI
Morning
in Ann Arbor on Tuesday
Local time
11:42 AM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy
SE 2 to 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 17 at 7:53AM EDT until April 17 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 7:52AM EDT until April 17 at 11:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
46°F
Homer, MI
48 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
23 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
2h 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 is largely highway-focused, with 84% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 67.3 miles on I 94, which provides a consistent pace for most of your journey. While the primary roads are I 94 and East Michigan Avenue, there's also a segment on South State Highway 37. Expect a relatively smooth driving experience, characterized by the efficiency of interstate travel rather than winding country roads. The character remains largely consistent, emphasizing speed and directness to your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 67.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and South State Highway 37. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near West Pifer Road.
Driving Effort5/10
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 96.1 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.4 miles (West Pifer Road): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 96.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 67.3 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 1.4 miles (West Pifer Road): Navigation decision point; at 25.2 miles (I 94 BL; M 311 / 11 Mile Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 25.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ann Arbor, MI before heading back.
