This 191-mile drive from Clinton Township, MI, to Pierson, MI, is an efficient trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend around 3 hours and 34 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I-96 and US-131. With 93% of the journey on highways, it's a focused drive designed for covering distance. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest excursion is about $30. Given its manageable length and highway-focused profile, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
95.5 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
132.1 mi
2h 21m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
25.5 mi
27m
US 131
20.2 mi
21m
South Groesbeck Highway
7.3 mi
11m
Federal Road
1.7 mi
2m
West Lake Street Northeast
0.8 mi
1m
Harrington Street
0.6 mi
1m
East 11 Mile Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 132.1 mi, about 2h 21m
Traffic on I-96
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,231 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,857
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Pierson, 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
25 mi·27 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 96
18 mi·19 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
55 mi·58 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
54 mi·57 min·I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand RapidsUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37
5.7 mi·6 min·I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: MuskegonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 31BToward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big RapidsUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 131
20 mi·21 min·US 131
Use the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward Sand Lake
16
Turn right onto 22 Mile Road Northeast
0.4 mi·55 sec·22 Mile Road Northeast
17
Continue on West Lake Street Northeast
0.8 mi·1 min·West Lake Street Northeast
18
Continue on East Lake Street
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Lake Street
19
Turn left onto North 3rd Street Northeast
0.2 mi·17 sec·North 3rd Street Northeast
20
Continue on CR 599
1.7 mi·2 min·Federal Road
21
Continue on CR 522; CR 599
0.3 mi·33 sec·4th Street
22
Turn left onto Grand Street
349 ft·20 sec·Grand Street
23
Turn right onto 3rd Street
148 ft·6 sec·3rd Street
24
Arrive at destination
3rd Street
Trip Plan
For this 191-mile trip, a single day is definitely feasible, giving you flexibility with your schedule. You can depart anytime, but an early start will allow for a relaxed pace and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially on I-96. Plan for one main stop, which could be a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $30, keeping an eye on your gauge is always wise. A specific tip for this route: pay attention to the mileage markers as you transition from I-96 to US-131, as this is where the character of the drive subtly shifts.
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 95.5 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 95.5 miles or 1h 48m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pierson, 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 191 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 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 96 for about 132.1 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 0.3 and 166.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Moravian Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive
Navigation decision point
6
52.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
107.3 mi into trip|~2h 1m in|I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
8
161 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|I 96; M 37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37 toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
8
166.6 mi into trip|~3h 4m in
Take the exit toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids
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 31B
Toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.76 one way
$63.51 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$34.59
$69.18
premium
$5.18
$38.97
$77.95
diesel
$5.35
$40.23
$80.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.3
0
$20.06
$9.17
Efficient EV
47.8
0
$16.71
$7.64
EV Truck/SUV
76.4
0
$26.74
$12.22
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Clinton Township, MI
Afternoon
in Clinton Township on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
78°F
Sunny
NE 2 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 5:06AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 3:45AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Destination
Pierson, MI
Afternoon
in Pierson on Wednesday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
79°F
Sunny
NE 5 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 5:06AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 3:45AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
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
1 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
3h 34m 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?
Primarily a highway-focused drive, you'll spend most of your 3 hours and 34 minutes on major roads like I-96 and US-131. With 93% of the route on highways, expect a consistent pace for the majority of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 132.1 miles on I-96, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While the drive is largely on high-speed routes, the transition onto US-131 as you near Pierson will introduce a slightly different highway feel.
93% 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: 132.1 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 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 0.3 miles in near Moravian Drive.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 191 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 0.3 miles (Moravian Drive): Navigation decision point; at 52.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.3 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
966 ft607 ft
Total Climb
611 ft
Total Descent
304 ft
Highest Point
966 ft
~54.6 mi in
Elevation Range
359 ft
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 Pierson, MI, road signs point toward M 37 North: Muskegon and Big Rapids.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 191 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 132.1 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Pierson, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Moravian Drive): Navigation decision point; at 52.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 107.3 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Pierson, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
