If you are planning a trip from Charlotte to Clinton Township, you are looking at a 112.5-mile journey across the Michigan Midwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 52 minutes behind the wheel for this direct trek. Since the entire trip is easily manageable in a single day, there is no need to worry about overnight accommodations or breaking the drive into segments. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to complete the transit. Navigating this route provides a straightforward way to move between these two Michigan locations without the complexity of multi-day planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.5 miles from Charlotte, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
65 mi
1h 9m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
14 mi
15m
BL I 69
9.2 mi
10m
Groesbeck Highway
7.4 mi
12m
West 10 Mile Road
6.7 mi
13m
John C Lodge Freeway
2.5 mi
2m
Lansing Road
1.7 mi
2m
East Heights Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 65 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Charlotte, MI and Clinton Township, MI.
1
Start on I 69 BL; M 50
123 ft·5 sec·South Cochran Avenue
2
Turn right onto I 69 BL
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Lawrence Avenue
3
Continue on I 69 BL
0.9 mi·1 min·Lansing Street
4
Continue on I 69 BL
483 ft·8 sec·Lansing Road
5
Take the ramp onto BL I 69
9.2 mi·10 min·BL I 69
Toward I 69 North: Lansing
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward Lansing Road
7
Keep slight left at fork
520 ft·13 sec
Toward Lansing Road
8
Turn right onto Lansing Road
1.6 mi·2 min·Lansing Road
9
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I-96 EAST: Detroit
10
Merge onto I 96
65 mi·1 hr 9 min·I 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on I 696
8.9 mi·10 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East: Port HuronUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto M 10
2.5 mi·2 min·John C Lodge Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 15Toward 10 Mile Road, Evergreen RoadUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto Northwestern Highway
0.2 mi·27 sec·Northwestern Highway
15
Turn left onto West 10 Mile Road
6.6 mi·13 min·West 10 Mile Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Continue on South Chrysler Drive
0.2 mi·22 sec·South Chrysler Drive
17
Turn left
297 ft·16 sec
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto North Chrysler Drive
0.1 mi·13 sec·North Chrysler Drive
19
Keep slight right at fork onto West 10 Mile Road
499 ft·10 sec·West 10 Mile Road
20
Continue on East Heights Drive
1.4 mi·2 min·East Heights Drive
21
Continue on Walter P Reuther Drive
0.2 mi·22 sec·Walter P Reuther Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·36 sec
Toward I 696 East
23
Merge onto I 696
5.1 mi·5 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 26Toward M 97: Groesbeck HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto East 11 Mile Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·East 11 Mile Road
26
Turn left onto M 97
7.4 mi·12 min·Groesbeck Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn left onto Harrington Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Harrington Street
Use the left lane.
28
At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive
0.1 mi·17 sec·Moravian Drive
Use the left lane.
29
Turn right onto White Oaks Drive
0.2 mi·52 sec·White Oaks Drive
30
Turn right onto Red Oaks Drive
289 ft·12 sec·Red Oaks Drive
31
Arrive at destination
Red Oaks Drive
Trip Plan
Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, flexibility is your greatest advantage when planning your departure time. Since the total transit time is under two hours, you can easily work around peak local traffic to ensure a smoother experience on the smaller roads. Keep in mind that the lack of highway stretches means your average speed will be lower, so factor in extra time if you are on a tight schedule. Before heading out, ensure your vehicle is fueled up, as the $17 estimate is based on a direct, non-stop trip. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert at intersections, as the reliance on local roads like Lansing Road means you will be navigating more frequent stops and turns than you would on a typical interstate highway.
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 56.5 miles from Charlotte, MI, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65 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 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.5 miles or 1h 3m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton Township, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Charlotte, 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 Charlotte, MI
This is one driving day of about 113 miles and 2h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Charlotte, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 65 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 112.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|I 69 BL / East Lawrence Avenue
Turn right onto I 69 BL / East Lawrence Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
89.4 mi into trip|~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward 10 Mile Road, Evergreen Road
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 15
Toward 10 Mile Road, Evergreen Road
6
96.6 mi into trip|~1h 53m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
103.9 mi into trip|~2h 3m in
Take the exit toward M 97: Groesbeck Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 26
Toward M 97: Groesbeck Highway
6
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|Moravian Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.67 one way
$35.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.40
$38.79
premium
$4.89
$21.75
$43.49
diesel
$5.61
$24.95
$49.90
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: 39.5 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
33.9
0
$11.86
$5.42
Efficient EV
28.3
0
$9.89
$4.52
EV Truck/SUV
45.2
0
$15.82
$7.23
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 15, 2026
Origin
Charlotte, MI
Late night
in Charlotte on Sunday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clinton Township, MI
Late night
in Clinton Township on Sunday
Local time
4:47 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Farmington, MI
57 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
2 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 19m 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?
This 112.5-mile route offers a distinct change of pace compared to standard interstate travel, as it features a 0% highway share. You will navigate a turn-heavy local drive primarily via East Lawrence Avenue, Lansing Street, and Lansing Road. Because the path relies entirely on local roads rather than high-speed expressways, you should anticipate a more hands-on driving experience. The character of the road remains consistent throughout the duration, requiring your full attention as you transition between these local thoroughfares.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 69 BL / East Lawrence Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 113 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: near the start (I 69 BL / East Lawrence Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 89.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Charlotte, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward M 5 East: Port Huron and M 97: Groesbeck Highway.
M 5 East: Port Huron
78 mi in|~1h 26m|via I 696
M 97: Groesbeck Highway
103.9 mi in|~2h 3m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 19m. Total distance: 113 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 65 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 Clinton Township, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 69 BL / East Lawrence Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 89.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 96.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clinton Township, MI before heading back.
