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Trip from East Tawas, MI to Macomb, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 24m

Distance

164.8 mi

265 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 13m ★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 35m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown East Tawas, MI, MI

East Tawas, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 164.8-mile drive from East Tawas to Macomb, MI, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, with about 66% of the route on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a projected fuel cost of around $26, this trip through the Midwest region of Michigan won't break the bank. The route includes one recommended stop, providing a convenient break point. Given its manageable length and duration, this drive offers a practical way to travel between these two Michigan locations.

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

82.4 miles from East Tawas, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 108.2 mi 1h 54m
North Huron Road 26.2 mi 36m
25 Mile Road 6.9 mi 10m
West Huron Road 6.3 mi 8m
Tienken Road 3.5 mi 6m
East Lake Street 2.7 mi 5m
West M-61 2.4 mi 3m
West Tienken Road 1.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 108.2 mi, about 1h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between East Tawas, MI and Macomb, MI.

1

Start on US 23

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Bay Street
2

Continue on US 23

2.7 mi · 5 min · East Lake Street
3

Continue on US 23

26 mi · 36 min · North Huron Road
4

Continue on US 23

0.6 mi · 1 min · Center Road
5

Continue on US 23

6.3 mi · 8 min · West Huron Road
6

Continue on US 23

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
7

Turn right onto M 61

0.6 mi · 54 sec · West Cedar Street
8

Continue on M 61

2.4 mi · 3 min · West M-61
9

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 75 South: Saginaw
10

Merge onto I 75

65 mi · 1 hr 7 min · I 75
Toward Saginaw
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

11 mi · 11 min · I 75; US 23
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

33 mi · 35 min · I 75
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 81 Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer Use the slight right lane.
14

Continue on I 75 BL

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 75 BL
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL

0.6 mi · 57 sec · I 75 BL
Toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac
16

Turn left

88 ft · 3 sec
Use the left lane.
17

Turn left

154 ft · 7 sec
18

Continue on Shimmons Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Shimmons Road
19

At end of road, turn left onto Shimmons Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Shimmons Road
20

At end of road, turn left onto North Squirrel Road

0.3 mi · 37 sec · North Squirrel Road
21

Turn right onto Tienken Road

3.5 mi · 6 min · Tienken Road
Use the right lane.
22

Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road

128 ft · 3 sec · West Tienken Road
23

Continue on West Tienken Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Tienken Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
24

Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road

159 ft · 5 sec · East Tienken Road
25

Continue on East Tienken Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tienken Road
26

Enter roundabout onto Runyon Road

150 ft · 3 sec · Runyon Road
27

Continue on Runyon Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Runyon Road
28

Continue on 25 Mile Road

6.0 mi · 9 min · 25 Mile Road
29

Enter roundabout onto 25 Mile Road

150 ft · 4 sec · 25 Mile Road
30

Continue on 25 Mile Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · 25 Mile Road
31

Enter roundabout

270 ft · 7 sec
32

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 3 hour and 24 minute drive, consider an early morning departure to make the most of your day, especially since it's designed as a single-day trip. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on I-75 is over 100 miles. A practical tip: plan your single stop strategically to coincide with the transition off the main interstate onto the local roads, allowing you to refuel and perhaps grab a quick bite before the final leg into Macomb.

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 82.4 miles from East Tawas, MI, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.2 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 36 miles or 52m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.4 miles or 1h 43m 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 39m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macomb, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving East Tawas, 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 East Tawas, MI

This is one driving day of about 164.8 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from East Tawas, 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 75 for about 108.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Flint, MI

82 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.

Popular next leg

Flint, MI to Macomb, MI

56.8 mi · 1h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Pine River, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Freeland, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.4 miles from East Tawas, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 117.7

Grand Blanc, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18104984909

Visit website

Battle Alley Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 129.4

Holly, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+12482450512

Visit website

Independence Oaks County Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 141.2

Village of Clarkston, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–7:30 pm

+12486250877

Visit website

Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 70.6

University Center, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+19899647125

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 117.7

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Michigan Heroes Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 94.1

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19896528005

Visit website

Ford Field Central Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 164.8

Shelby Township, Michigan

+15867310300

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 39.9 and 151.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
39.9 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Saginaw

Navigation decision point

Toward I 75 South: Saginaw
8
148.5 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Take the exit toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer

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 81 Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
5
149.3 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | I 75 BL

Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac
5
149.8 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
151.2 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | Tienken Road

Turn right onto Tienken Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.76 one way

$51.53 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $28.29 $56.58
premium $4.89 $31.71 $63.43
diesel $5.61 $36.39 $72.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 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 49.4 0 $17.30 $7.91
Efficient EV 41.2 0 $14.42 $6.59
EV Truck/SUV 65.9 0 $23.07 $10.55

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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 18, 2026

Origin

East Tawas, MI

Afternoon in East Tawas on Sunday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

S 15 to 25 mph 74% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 1:41AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 1:37AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI

Destination

Macomb, MI

Afternoon in Macomb on Sunday

Local time

1:28 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

2 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 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

The majority of this journey, about 66%, is on highways, offering a consistent pace for much of the 164.8 miles. You'll experience the longest uninterrupted stretch on I-75, covering 108.2 miles, which allows for steady progress. The route transitions to North Huron Road and then 25 Mile Road, introducing some local road driving after the extensive highway segments. Expect a driving personality that blends efficient highway travel with a more localized approach as you near your destination.

66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.2 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and North Huron Road. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 39.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.8 miles you will encounter 19 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 39.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.3 miles (I 75 BL): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between East Tawas, MI and Macomb, MI, road signs point toward Saginaw, M 24: Pontiac and Lapeer.

Saginaw

40.2 mi in | ~59m | via I 75

M 24: Pontiac

148.5 mi in | ~2h 54m

Lapeer

148.5 mi in | ~2h 54m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 164.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 108.2 miles on I 75. 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 Macomb, 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 39.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 148.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 149.3 miles (I 75 BL): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Macomb, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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