Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
46m
Distance
38.7 mi
62 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brighton, MI
Wikimedia Commons
If you are looking for a quick and straightforward commute, the 38.7-mile journey from Flint to Brighton is an ideal choice. You can expect to reach your destination in about 46 minutes, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of approximately $6, it is a very economical route for a casual outing or a business errand. Because both cities are located within Michigan, you will remain in the Midwest throughout the entire drive. This highway-focused path is efficient and avoids the need for any overnight stays, providing you with maximum flexibility for your schedule.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 23 | 30.6 mi | 32m |
| I 75 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Chevrolet-Buick Freeway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| East Main Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Grand Traverse Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Spencer Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Court Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Spencer Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Brighton, MI.
Start on this road
Turn uturn onto M 21
Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn right onto Spencer Road
Continue on Spencer Street
Turn right onto East Main Street
Turn left onto East Grand River Avenue
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.3 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 0 and 37.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn uturn onto M 21 / East Court Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Spencer Road, Brighton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto Spencer Road
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.05 one way
$12.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.64 | $13.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.45 | $14.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.54 | $17.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.6 | 0 | $4.06 | $1.86 |
| Efficient EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.39 | $1.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.5 | 0 | $5.42 | $2.48 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Late night in Flint on Sunday
Local time
3:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Brighton on Sunday
Local time
3:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
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.
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience as you navigate between these two Michigan cities. With roughly 90% of your time spent on major roads like US 23, I-75, and the Chevrolet-Buick Freeway, you will be moving at steady highway speeds for the majority of the trip. The drive features a significant 30.6-mile stretch on US 23, which serves as the backbone of your journey. You will not encounter any formal, planned stops along the way, so the character of the road is defined by its consistency and speed rather than winding detours or technical maneuvers.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near M 21 / East Court Street.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 38.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 46m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (M 21 / East Court Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Flint, MI to Brighton, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Saginaw along the way.
Saginaw
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 46m. Total distance: 38.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Flint, MI or browse trips ending in Brighton, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.
