Naubinway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Clinton Township, MI to Golden, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 26m
Distance
492.4 mi
792 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$82
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 18m
★
6 AM
9h 26m
8 AM
9h 43m
10 AM
9h 32m
12 PM
9h 30m
3 PM
9h 33m
5 PM
9h 42m
8 PM
9h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton Township, MI
fish socks
Golden, MI
Masood Aslami
Trip Overview
Clinton Township, MI to Golden, MI is 492.4 miles and takes about 9h 26m via I 75 and US-2 West, with a fuel budget near $77 and best split over two days. This trip crosses the Midwest, staying within Michigan for its entirety. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended two-day pace, you can comfortably cover the distance without feeling overly rushed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
246.2 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 265.7 mi | 4h 35m |
| US-2 West | 134 mi | 2h 39m |
| M 69 | 51 mi | 1h 7m |
| Hall Road | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| 18th Road | 7.9 mi | 10m |
| 17th Road | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| US 2 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Turner Road | 3 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 265.7 mi, about 4h 35m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 86 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,982 veh/hr typical · worst 3,075
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Golden, 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 West
Use 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 40B
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 75
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 75
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
52 mi
·
56 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
63 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 75; US 23
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
118 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
I 75
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 344B
Toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
18
Merge onto US 2; I 75 BL
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US-2 West
19
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 2
20
Continue on US 2
133 mi
·
2 hr 38 min
·
US-2 West
21
Turn right onto 426
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
County Road 426 M.5 Road
22
Continue on 426
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
County 426 M.5 Road
23
Turn left onto 414
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
18th Road
24
Continue on 414
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I Road
25
Turn right onto 414
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
18th Road
26
Continue on 414
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
G Road
27
Continue on 414
3.9 mi
·
5 min
·
17th Road
28
At end of road, turn left onto 410
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
C Road
29
Turn right onto M 69
41 mi
·
56 min
·
M 69
30
Continue on M 69; M 95
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
M 69; M 95
31
Turn right onto 426
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
·
7th Street
32
Continue on 426
3.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Turner Road
33
Arrive at destination
426
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour driving time, splitting this into two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early on your first day to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to stop around the halfway point. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a break is 265.7 miles on I 75, so plan your fill-ups accordingly. You'll encounter two designated stops, which are good opportunities to rest and refuel before continuing.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 246.2 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 4h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 265.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 246.2 miles or 4h 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 246.2 miles or 4h 24m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Golden, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clinton Township, MI
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Golden, MI
Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Clinton Township, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 265.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
246 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Cheboygan, MIOvernight Options
Night 1
246 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near Cheboygan, MI after about 246 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 246.2 miles from Clinton Township, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 265.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 246 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Gaylord Rest Area 405
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Davisburg Rest Area 908
0.1 mi from route
Dodge Road Rest Area 631
0.1 mi from route
Clarkston Rest Area 904
0.1 mi from route
Garden Corners Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Alger Rest Area 625
0.1 mi from route
Bay City Rest Area 605
0.1 mi from route
Clio Rest Area 612
0.1 mi from route
Linwood Rest Area 626
0.1 mi from route
Hebron Rest Area 408
0.1 mi from route
Mackinaw City Welcome Center 409
0.1 mi from route
Topinabee Rest Area 407
0.1 mi from route
Vanderbilt Rest Area 406
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Grayling Rest Area 403
0.1 mi from route
Hartwick Pines Rest Area 404
0.1 mi from route
Nine Mile Hill Rest Area 434
0.1 mi from route
West Branch Rest Area 433
0.1 mi from route
Saint Ignace Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
M-81 Express Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Saint Ignace Rest Area
1.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 286.4 — 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
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
6
286.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 344B
Toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.14 one way
$164.28 round trip
$4.24/gal
25.4 MPG avg
172 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $89.27 | $178.54 |
| premium | $5.26 | $101.95 | $203.90 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $119.79 | $239.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 172.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 147.7 | 1 | $51.70 | $23.64 |
| Efficient EV | 123.1 | 1 | $43.09 | $19.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 197 | 2 | $68.94 | $31.51 |
Gas CO2
172 kg
EV CO2
58 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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.
Origin
Clinton Township, MI
Late night in Clinton Township on Saturday
Local time
5:12 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Chance Light Rain
SW 12 mph
30% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:54AM EDT until October 16 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Golden, MI
Late night in Golden on Saturday
Local time
4:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Rain Showers
N 10 mph
87% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:54AM EDT until October 16 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
16 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
9h 26m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 82% of the 492.4 miles on major roads like I 75. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 265.7 miles on I 75. You'll experience more rural cruising once you transition to US-2 West and M 69, as the highway portion concludes.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 265.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US-2 West. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 492.4 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
1,367 ft
594 ft
Total Climb
1,970 ft
Total Descent
1,209 ft
Highest Point
1,367 ft
~492.4 mi in
Elevation Range
774 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Clinton Township, MI to Golden, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.
Escanaba
286.4 mi in
|
~5h 5m
About the Cities
Arriving in Golden, MI
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 265.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 246 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Golden, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.4 hours each way, a round trip means 18.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Golden, MI before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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