Clinton Township, MI to Laurium, MI is 558.4 miles and takes about 10h 51m via I 75 and US 41, with a fuel budget near $88 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive travels from the Midwest region of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula, primarily using major highways for efficiency. Given the nearly 11-hour duration, it's best planned as an overnight trip, with 2 recommended days for comfortable travel. You'll cover a significant distance, so prepare for a substantial amount of time on the road.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
279.2 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
265.7 mi
4h 35m
US 41
86.1 mi
1h 52m
M-28
70.9 mi
1h 23m
US-2 West
62.1 mi
1h 12m
M 77
17.3 mi
20m
Hall Road
15.8 mi
20m
County Road 480
12.5 mi
18m
US-41
8.4 mi
11m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Laurium, 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
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 344BToward 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
61 mi·1 hr 11 min·US-2 West
21
Turn right onto M 77
17 mi·20 min·M 77
22
Turn sharp left onto M 28
35 mi·41 min·M-28
23
Continue on M 28
0.2 mi·28 sec·Cedar Street
24
Enter roundabout onto M 28
194 ft·11 sec·East Munising
25
Continue on M 28
2.2 mi·4 min·East Munising
26
Continue on M 28
36 mi·42 min·M-28
27
Continue on CR 551
1.8 mi·2 min·Cherry Creek Road
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn right onto CR 480
13 mi·18 min·County Road 480
29
Continue on Rail Street
0.4 mi·36 sec·Rail Street
30
Turn right onto Division Street
503 ft·10 sec·Division Street
31
Turn right onto M 28 BUS
440 ft·12 sec·West Main Street
32
Turn left onto M 28 BUS
0.5 mi·52 sec·North Teal Lake Avenue
33
Turn left onto US 41; M 28
2.7 mi·4 min·US Highway 41
34
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
83 ft·4 sec·US 41; M 28
35
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.9 mi·1 min·US 41; M 28
36
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
88 ft·5 sec·US 41; M 28
37
Continue on US 41; M 28
85 mi·1 hr 51 min·US 41; M 28
38
Turn left onto US 41
0.2 mi·34 sec·Front Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on US 41
510 ft·13 sec·Reservation Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
40
Turn left onto East White Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East White Street
41
At end of road, turn right onto US 41
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Lincoln Drive
42
Continue on US 41
8.4 mi·11 min·US-41
43
Continue on US 41
1.3 mi·2 min·County Road
44
Turn right onto Rockland Street
0.2 mi·45 sec·Rockland Street
45
Turn right onto Lake Linden Avenue
0.3 mi·36 sec·Lake Linden Avenue
46
Turn sharp left onto M 26
0.3 mi·41 sec·Hecla Street
47
Turn left onto M 26
85 ft·2 sec·3rd Street
48
Arrive at destination
M 26
Trip Plan
For this 10h 51m drive, splitting it over 2 days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early on your first day to maximize daylight and cover a good portion of the distance. Plan at least 3 stops for gas and rest along the way, especially considering the longest stretch of 265.7 miles on I 75. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you get further into the Upper Peninsula, where services might be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated around $88, so factor that into your budget.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 279.2 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 4h 58m 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 123 miles or 2h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 279.2 miles or 4h 58m 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 279.2 miles or 4h 58m
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 9h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laurium, 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 279 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laurium, MI
Aim for roughly 279 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 123 miles from Clinton Township, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 32
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 558.2 — 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
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
6
558.2 mi into trip|~10h 50m in|M 26 / Hecla Street
Turn sharp left onto M 26 / Hecla Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$93.15 one way
$186.29 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg195 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$101.24
$202.47
premium
$5.26
$115.62
$231.23
diesel
$6.18
$135.84
$271.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$93
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$223–$333
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 195.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
167.5
2
$58.63
$26.80
Efficient EV
139.6
1
$48.86
$22.34
EV Truck/SUV
223.4
2
$78.18
$35.74
Gas CO2
195 kg
EV CO2
65 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Clinton Township, MI
Afternoon
in Clinton Township on Sunday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Clear
SW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 18 at 12:29AM EDT until October 18 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Destination
Laurium, MI
Afternoon
in Laurium on Sunday
Local time
1:53 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
66°F
Isabella, MI
369 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.
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 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
10h 51m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Keweenaw National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The stories of people and copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula have been intertwined for more than 7,000 years. Indigenous peoples made copper into tools and trade items. Investors and immigrants arrived...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 558.4
Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coa...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$25
near mile 385.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 77% of the 558.4 miles on major roads like I 75. You'll experience a longest stretch of 265.7 miles on I 75 before transitioning to US 41 and M-28. Expect the initial part of your trip to involve merging and navigating through a more developed areas before shifting to more rural cruising as you head north. The transition from interstate to US highways will mark a change in scenery and traffic patterns.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 41. 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 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 32 significant decision points across 558.4 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 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,569 ft592 ft
Total Climb
2,898 ft
Total Descent
2,274 ft
Highest Point
1,569 ft
~478.7 mi in
Elevation Range
977 ft
Notable High Points
1,569 ft at ~478.7 miles+947 ft prominence
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 Laurium, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.
Escanaba
286.4 mi in|~5h 5m
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 279 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Laurium, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Cass Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Keweenaw National Historical Park and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.9 hours each way, a round trip means 21.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Laurium, MI before the return drive.
