Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
183.4 mi
295 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton Township, MI
fish socks
Houghton Lake, MI
Kevin Carrera
Clinton Township to Houghton Lake is 183.4 miles and takes about 3 hours 25 minutes via I 75 and M 55, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for efficiency rather than extensive sightseeing. Plan for a single day; this route is definitely manageable within daylight hours.
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
91.7 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 148.1 mi | 2h 34m |
| Hall Road | 15.8 mi | 20m |
| M 55 | 14.6 mi | 21m |
| Cass Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Romeo Plank Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Moravian Drive | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| White Oaks Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Red Oaks Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton Township, MI and Houghton Lake, MI.
Start on Red Oaks Drive
Turn left onto White Oaks Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Cass Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
Continue on Romeo Plank Road
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
Continue on Romeo Plank Road
Turn right onto M 59
Take the exit
Merge onto M 59
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto M 55
Turn left onto Stone School Road
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 25 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will get you to Houghton Lake with plenty of afternoon time remaining. The longest stretch without a major road change is 148.1 miles on I 75, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get on that long segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $29, it's an economical trip, but always check your gauge before heading out on the interstate.
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.
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 40 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 91.7 miles or 1h 46m 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houghton Lake, MI than in the middle of the route.
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 183.4 miles and 3h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 91.7 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 148.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 168.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto Cass Avenue
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Take the exit toward M 59 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 75 North: Flint
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto M 55 toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$28.67 one way
$57.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $31.48 | $62.96 |
| premium | $4.89 | $35.29 | $70.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.49 | $80.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55 | 0 | $19.26 | $8.80 |
| Efficient EV | 45.9 | 0 | $16.05 | $7.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.68 | $11.74 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Clinton Township on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Houghton Lake on Sunday
Local time
6:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 81% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 75. You'll experience a significant stretch of 148.1 miles on I 75, offering a consistent, high-speed experience for a substantial portion of the trip. While the initial and final segments might involve local roads like Hall Road and M 55, the core of the drive is about covering ground efficiently on the interstate. Expect a smooth, predictable journey for the majority of the time, ideal for making good progress.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Hall Road. 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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 183.4 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clinton Township, MI and Houghton Lake, MI, road signs point toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake and Cadillac.
M 55 West: Houghton Lake
Cadillac
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 183.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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