Clinton Township, MI to Benzonia, MI is 244.2 miles and takes about 4h 47m via I 75 and US 10, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through the Midwest region of Michigan, offering a mixed drive experience. It's a manageable one-day journey, perfect if you're looking for a straightforward drive up north. You'll spend a good portion of the time on major highways, making good time as you head toward your destination.
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
122.1 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
84.1 mi
1h 30m
US 10
56.9 mi
56m
Cadillac Drive
55.3 mi
1h 16m
Cadillac Highway
17.8 mi
20m
Hall Road
15.8 mi
20m
West M-115 Highway
5.8 mi
7m
Benzie Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Cass Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 84.1 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 29 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,726 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,720
Quietest
2 AM
~137 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.9×
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 Clinton Township, MI and Benzonia, MI.
1
Start on Red Oaks Drive
289 ft·17 sec·Red Oaks Drive
2
Turn left onto White Oaks Drive
0.2 mi·55 sec·White Oaks Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·Moravian Drive
4
At end of road, turn left onto Cass Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Cass Avenue
5
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
82 ft·1 sec·Romeo Plank Road
6
Continue on Romeo Plank Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Romeo Plank Road
7
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
90 ft·1 sec·Romeo Plank Road
8
Continue on Romeo Plank Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Romeo Plank Road
9
Turn right onto M 59
501 ft·8 sec·Hall Road
10
Take the exit
259 ft·9 sec
Toward M 59 WestUse the left lane.
11
Merge onto M 59
16 mi·20 min·Hall Road
Use the left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 40BToward I 75 North: FlintUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 75
33 mi·35 min·I 75
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
51 mi·54 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 162BToward US 10 West: Midland
16
Continue on US 10
11 mi·11 min·US 10
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
38 mi·38 min·US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
18
Take the exit onto US 10
7.6 mi·7 min·US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward M 115: Cadillac
20
Turn right onto M 115
55 mi·1 hr 16 min·Cadillac Drive
21
Enter roundabout onto M 37; M 115
129 ft·1 sec·West M-115 Highway
22
Continue on M 37; M 115
0.5 mi·50 sec·West M-115 Highway
23
Continue on M 37; M 115
0.6 mi·1 min·East Mesick Avenue
24
Continue on M 115
5.3 mi·6 min·West M-115 Highway
25
Continue on M 115
18 mi·20 min·Cadillac Highway
26
Merge onto US 31; M 115
1.6 mi·2 min·Benzie Highway
27
Continue on US 31; M 115
0.8 mi·1 min·Michigan Avenue
28
Arrive at destination
US 31
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 47m duration, leaving Clinton Township in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 84.1-mile stretch on I 75, as services might be less frequent in some areas. The $38 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to factor in a buffer. This drive is easily accomplished in a single day, allowing you to spend more time at your destination.
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 122.1 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 2h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.1 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 54 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.1 miles or 2h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benzonia, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton Township, 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 Clinton Township, MI
This is one driving day of about 244.2 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Clinton Township, 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 84.1 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 20.1 — 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|~3m in|Cass Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Cass Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in|Romeo Plank Road
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
4.3 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward M 59 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward M 59 West
5
4.4 mi into trip|~8m in|M 59 / Hall Road
Merge onto M 59 / Hall Road
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
20.1 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Flint
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 40B
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.06 one way
$72.13 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg85 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$39.81
$79.62
premium
$4.72
$45.34
$90.68
diesel
$4.80
$46.11
$92.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.3
0
$25.64
$11.72
Efficient EV
61.1
0
$21.37
$9.77
EV Truck/SUV
97.7
1
$34.19
$15.63
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Clinton Township, MI
Afternoon
in Clinton Township on Sunday
Local time
1:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
W 8 to 15 mph72% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 8:52AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Benzonia, MI
Afternoon
in Benzonia on Sunday
Local time
1:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°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
9 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
4h 47m 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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$25
near mile 244.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a mixed drive profile, with 58% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 84.1 miles on I 75, which allows for steady progress. As you transition to US 10 and Cadillac Drive, expect the character of the road to become less about high-speed cruising and more about reaching your final destination. It's a blend of efficient highway travel and more local road navigation as you get closer to Benzonia.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near Cass Avenue.
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 18 significant decision points across 244.2 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 1.4 miles (Cass Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (Romeo Plank Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,505 ft599 ft
Total Climb
1,326 ft
Total Descent
1,118 ft
Highest Point
1,505 ft
~209.3 mi in
Elevation Range
906 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clinton Township, MI and Benzonia, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 47m. Total distance: 244.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 Benzonia, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Cass Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (Romeo Plank Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Benzonia, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
