Trip from Flint, MI to Carleton, MI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 37m

Distance

85.5 mi

138 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min

4 AM

1h 30m ★

6 AM

1h 37m

8 AM

1h 52m

10 AM

1h 43m

12 PM

1h 41m

3 PM

1h 43m

5 PM

1h 51m

8 PM

1h 33m

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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Flint, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Carleton, MI

TBD Tuyên

Trip Overview

Flint to Carleton is 85.5 miles and takes about 1 hour 37 minutes via US 23, I-275, and I-96, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, traversing the Midwest region. Given its short duration and highway focus, it's a straightforward drive ideal for a single-day excursion. You'll find it's a practical route with minimal fuss, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

42.7 miles from Flint, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 23	30.9 mi	33m
I 275	28.3 mi	30m
I 96	14.9 mi	15m
Grafton Road	2.4 mi	4m
I 75	2.1 mi	2m
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway	2.1 mi	2m
Monroe Street	0.5 mi	1m
South Grand Traverse Street	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: US 23 — 30.9 mi, about 33m

Traffic on I-275

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,935 veh/hr typical · worst 2,252

Quietest

1 AM

~185 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

10.5×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 39 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 Flint, MI and Carleton, MI.

Start on this road

93 ft · 11 sec · this road

Turn uturn onto M 21

0.3 mi · 47 sec · East Court Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street

0.3 mi · 41 sec · South Grand Traverse Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Merge onto I 69

2.1 mi · 2 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Exit 133 Toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit

Merge onto I 75; US 23

2.1 mi · 2 min · I 75; US 23

Keep slight right at fork onto US 23

31 mi · 33 min · US 23

Toward US 23: Ann Arbor

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 96 East: Detroit

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 96 East: Detroit

Merge onto I 96

15 mi · 15 min · I 96

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 34 sec

Exit 163 Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 29 sec

Continue on I 275; I 96

28 mi · 30 min · I 275; I 96

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 8 Toward Will Carleton Road, Flat Rock Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Will Carleton Road

287 ft · 10 sec · Will Carleton Road

Turn left onto Grafton Road

2.4 mi · 4 min · Grafton Road

Turn right onto Monroe Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Monroe Street

Arrive at destination

Monroe Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short drive of under two hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it suits you best. Aiming for a morning departure will allow you to arrive with plenty of time for any activities planned at your destination. With a fuel cost estimated around $13, you won't need to worry too much about frequent refueling stops. Keep an eye out for the transition from I-275 to US 23, as this is a key point in navigating the route efficiently.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 42.7 miles from Flint, MI, or about 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 19 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 42.7 miles or 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 1h 20m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Flint, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Flint, MI

This is one driving day of about 85.5 miles and 1h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Flint, MI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on US 23 for about 30.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in southwestern Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan

Mid-route town

Meal stop

South Lyon, MI

43 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Linden, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

South Lyon, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 42.7 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Fenton Rest Area 624

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Carleton Rest Area 826

1.7 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 82 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | M 21 / East Court Street

Turn uturn onto M 21 / East Court Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

2.9 mi into trip | ~4m in

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

Exit 133 Toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw

3.2 mi into trip | ~5m in

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

Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit

52.7 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 163 Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo

82 mi into trip | ~1h 30m in

Take the exit toward Will Carleton Road, Flat Rock

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 8 Toward Will Carleton Road, Flat Rock

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.22 one way

$28.43 round trip

$4.22/gal 25.4 MPG avg 30 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$15.48	$30.97
premium	$5.18	$17.45	$34.89
diesel	$5.35	$18.01	$36.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 29.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	25.7	$8.98	$4.10
Efficient EV	21.4	$7.48	$3.42
EV Truck/SUV	34.2	$11.97	$5.47

Gas CO2

30 kg

EV CO2

10 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 2, 2026

Origin

Flint, MI

Evening in Flint on Wednesday

Local time

5:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

50°F

Mostly Clear

ENE 0 to 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Carleton, MI

Evening in Carleton on Wednesday

Local time

5:27 PM

EDT

Current temp

51°F

Mostly Clear

NNE 1 to 9 mph 0% chance 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

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

1h 37m 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?

This drive is 92% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 30.9 miles on US 23. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and frequent exits as you navigate these main arteries. The transition to surface roads will likely occur closer to your final destination in Carleton.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 30.9 mi on US 23.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 275. 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.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 85.5 miles you will encounter 17 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: 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

994 ft 617 ft

Total Climb

268 ft

Total Descent

405 ft

Highest Point

994 ft

~36.6 mi in

Elevation Range

377 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Flint, MI and Carleton, MI, road signs point toward M 5 North: Detroit and Toledo.

M 5 North: Detroit

52.7 mi in | ~59m

Toledo

52.7 mi in | ~59m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Starbucks

Cafe

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Canton, MI

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: chicken

Applebee's

Restaurant

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Fenton, MI

Cuisine: american

Visit website

Placeway Bridge Picnic Area

Picnic_site

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

MTB Skinny

Attraction

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Stick Tipi's and Lean-to's

Attraction

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Park and Watch

Viewpoint

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Lake Overlook

Viewpoint

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Log Ramp

Attraction

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Romulus Historical Museum

Museum

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Romulus, MI

Coasting the Baseline Northville Obelisk

Monument

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Coins Collection

Artwork

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Man With Umbrella

Artwork

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Waldenwoods Family Recreation Resort

Caravan_site

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hartland, MI

Knights Inn

Motel

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Travelodge

Hotel

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Canton, MI

Visit website

Walnut Grove Campground

Caravan_site

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Flint, MI

Full guide →

Founded 1818

Flint is an industrial city an hour northwest of Detroit in Michigan. It was the home of many General Motors factories, including the Buick World Headquarters, Flint has fallen on hard times over the past 30 years due to the decline of the American automotive industry. Despite these misfortunes, the city has an outsized history, including decisive roles in the growth of the American labor movement and community schooling and evident in a host of extensive and well-endowed cultural institutions. Flint has seen a dramatic reduction in crime while simultaneously enjoying a revitalizing Downtown and growing colleges and universities are found within the city's limits.

Top landmarks

• Flint Institute of Arts — art school and museum in Flint, Michigan
• Capitol Theatre — movie theater and concert venue in Flint, Michigan, United States
• Robert J. Whaley House — historic house museum in Flint, Michigan

Arriving in Carleton, MI

Full guide →

Founded 1872

Carleton is a village in Monroe County.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 85.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 30.9 miles on US 23. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 3 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 Carleton, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Carleton, MI before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Flint, MI to Carleton, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-275

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Fenton Rest Area 624

Service Plaza

Carleton Rest Area 826

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Flint, MI

Carleton, MI

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 37m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Detours Along the Way

Starbucks

Kokabon Coffee

Starbucks

Starbucks

Tim Hortons

Starbucks

Subway

McDonald's

Panera Bread

Burger King

Krispy Krunchy Chicken

Applebee's

Placeway Bridge Picnic Area

MTB Skinny

Stick Tipi's and Lean-to's

Park and Watch

Lake Overlook

Log Ramp

Romulus Historical Museum

Coasting the Baseline Northville Obelisk

Coins Collection

Man With Umbrella

Waldenwoods Family Recreation Resort

Knights Inn

Travelodge

Walnut Grove Campground

About the Cities

Starting in Flint, MI

Arriving in Carleton, MI

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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