Clinton Township, MI to Leonidas, MI is 157.2 miles and takes about 3h 5m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, specifically within Michigan. It's a straightforward trip that should feel familiar if you've driven in the area before. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major roadways, it's a practical option for a single-day excursion. You'll likely find it to be an efficient journey connecting two points in the state.
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
78.6 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
72.5 mi
1h 17m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
23.7 mi
25m
M 14
21.9 mi
23m
M-66
9.8 mi
14m
South Groesbeck Highway
7.3 mi
11m
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
5.8 mi
6m
State Highway 60
3.6 mi
5m
Mendon Road
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 72.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton Township, MI and Leonidas, 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
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward M 66: Sturgis
18
Merge onto I 194; M 66
0.4 mi·32 sec·Sojourner Truth Downtown Parkway
19
Continue on M 66
2.3 mi·2 min·M-66
20
Continue on M 66
2.1 mi·3 min·M 66
21
Continue on M 66
7.5 mi·11 min·M-66
22
Continue on M 66
0.3 mi·25 sec·3 Mile Road
23
Continue on M 66
1.0 mi·1 min·North Capital Avenue
24
Continue on M 66
0.5 mi·44 sec·State Highway 66
25
Continue on M 66
0.7 mi·1 min·Athens Road
26
Turn right onto M 60
3.2 mi·4 min·Mendon Road
27
Continue on M 60
3.6 mi·5 min·State Highway 60
28
Arrive at destination
M 60
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major exit is 72.5 miles on I 94. While there's only one recommended stop, make sure to take advantage of any services before embarking on that longer segment. The $25 fuel cost estimate suggests it's a budget-friendly journey, so plan your stops accordingly to maximize efficiency.
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 78.6 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.5 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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.6 miles or 1h 32m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leonidas, 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 157.2 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 72.5 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 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
$24.58 one way
$49.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$26.98
$53.97
premium
$4.89
$30.25
$60.50
diesel
$5.61
$34.71
$69.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
47.2
0
$16.51
$7.55
Efficient EV
39.3
0
$13.75
$6.29
EV Truck/SUV
62.9
0
$22.01
$10.06
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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 20, 2026
Origin
Clinton Township, MI
Morning
in Clinton Township on Tuesday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Leonidas, MI
Morning
in Leonidas on Tuesday
Local time
6:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
19 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
3h 5m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 64% of it on major roads like I 94. Expect a substantial stretch of 72.5 miles on I 94, offering a consistent pace. The initial part of the drive utilizes the Walter P Reuther Freeway and M 14 before merging onto the interstate. The character remains largely that of a highway drive, prioritizing speed and directness over winding or scenic byways for most of its length.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.5 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 18 significant decision points across 157.2 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 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 Leonidas, MI, road signs point toward Toledo, M 14: Ann Arbor and M 66: Sturgis.
Toledo
34 mi in|~44m
M 14: Ann Arbor
40.1 mi in|~50m
M 66: Sturgis
135.1 mi in|~2h 33m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 157.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.5 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Leonidas, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Leonidas, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
