This 145-mile drive from Clinton Township, MI to Climax, MI is a straightforward 2 hour and 46 minute journey. It's perfectly suited as a single-day trip, making it easy to tackle without needing an overnight stop. You'll be spending about 70% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-94 and M-14. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest route is around $23. This route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Michigan locations, with a single recommended stop to break up the drive. It's a route designed for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72.5 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 26m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
78.4 mi
1h 24m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
23.7 mi
25m
M 14
21.9 mi
23m
South Groesbeck Highway
7.3 mi
11m
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
Mercury Drive
2.2 mi
2m
North Main Street
0.8 mi
1m
Harrington Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton Township, MI and Climax, 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
0.1 mi·16 sec·Moravian Drive
4
Turn right onto Harrington Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Harrington Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto M 97
7.3 mi·11 min·South Groesbeck Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto East 11 Mile Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·East 11 Mile Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 696 West
8
Merge onto I 696
24 mi·25 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 1Toward I 96 East, I 275: ToledoUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·22 sec
Toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
12
Merge onto I 275; I 96
5.8 mi·6 min·Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward M 14: Ann ArborUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto M 14
17 mi·17 min·M 14
15
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
5.4 mi·5 min·M 14
Exit 45Toward M 14: Ann ArborUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 94
78 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 92Toward M-37: Climax, Augusta
18
Turn left onto I 94 BL; M 37
0.2 mi·15 sec·West Columbia Avenue
19
Continue on Mercury Drive
2.2 mi·2 min·Mercury Drive
20
Continue on East M N Avenue
0.2 mi·40 sec·East M N Avenue
21
Turn left onto South 44th Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·South 44th Street
22
Continue on North Main Street
0.8 mi·1 min·North Main Street
23
Turn left onto East Maple Street
237 ft·6 sec·East Maple Street
24
Arrive at destination
East Maple Street
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2 hour and 46 minute duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by midday, or leave after lunch. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 78.4 miles, you can plan your break strategically. Keep the estimated fuel cost of $23 in mind as you budget for the trip. A helpful tip for this I-94 heavy route is to check traffic conditions before you leave, especially if you're traveling during peak commuting hours near the Detroit area, as this can significantly impact your travel time.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.5 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 1h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 32 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.5 miles or 1h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Climax, 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 145 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 94 for about 78.4 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.8 and 57.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
32.8 mi into trip|~41m in
Take the exit toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
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 1
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
6
33.2 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
6
34 mi into trip|~44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
6
40.1 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
8
57.3 mi into trip|~1h 9m in|M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.67 one way
$45.34 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.89
$49.78
premium
$4.89
$27.90
$55.81
diesel
$5.61
$32.01
$64.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.5
0
$15.23
$6.96
Efficient EV
36.3
0
$12.69
$5.80
EV Truck/SUV
58
0
$20.30
$9.28
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Clinton Township, MI
Morning
in Clinton Township on Tuesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 mph85% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 2:52PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 16 at 1:53PM EDT until April 17 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Climax, MI
Morning
in Climax on Tuesday
Local time
8:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
2h 46m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with a 70% highway share. The main arteries you'll be navigating include I-94 and M-14, along with the Walter P Reuther Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 78.4 miles on I-94, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. This profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency rather than winding scenic byways. While the focus is on the interstate, the transition between these major roads will shape the driving experience.
70% 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: 78.4 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 19 significant decision points across 145 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 32.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34 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 Clinton Township, MI and Climax, MI, road signs point toward Toledo and M 14: Ann Arbor.
Toledo
34 mi in|~44m
M 14: Ann Arbor
40.1 mi in|~50m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 46m. Total distance: 145 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on I 94. 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 Climax, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34 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 Climax, MI before heading back.
