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Trip from Flint, MI to Clare County, MI

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

Drive Time

2h 10m

Distance

113.8 mi

183 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 1m ★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m

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 Clare County, MI, MI

Clare County, MI

Mario Spencer

Trip Overview

This 113.8-mile drive from Flint, MI, to Clare County, MI, is a straightforward 2-hour and 10-minute trip, making it an ideal day trip. Primarily using US 10 and I-75, with a brief section of the UAW Freeway, this route is largely highway-focused, accounting for 94% of the journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for exploring the Midwest. The drive offers a simple and efficient way to travel between these two Michigan locations without needing an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

56.9 miles from Flint, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 2m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 10 58.1 mi 58m
I 75 36.9 mi 39m
UAW Freeway 9.7 mi 10m
North Clare Avenue 2.1 mi 3m
North Coolidge Avenue 2 mi 7m
State Highway 61 1.9 mi 2m
East Main Street 0.7 mi 1m
1st Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 10 — 58.1 mi, about 58m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Clare County, MI.

1

Start on this road

93 ft · 11 sec · this road
2

Turn uturn onto M 21

253 ft · 17 sec · East Court Street
3

Turn right onto Saginaw Street

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Saginaw Street
4

Turn right onto East Third Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Third Street
5

Turn left onto Chavez Drive

483 ft · 13 sec · Chavez Drive
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward I 475 North
7

Merge onto I 475

9.7 mi · 10 min · UAW Freeway
8

Merge onto I 75; US 23

37 mi · 39 min · I 75; US 23
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland
10

Continue on US 10

11 mi · 11 min · US 10
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

47 mi · 46 min · US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
12

Take the exit onto US 127 BUS

0.3 mi · 45 sec · US 127 BUS
Exit 170 Toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin
13

Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61

2.1 mi · 3 min · North Clare Avenue
14

Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61

0.4 mi · 41 sec · East Park Street
15

Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61

0.4 mi · 40 sec · 1st Street
16

Turn left onto M 61

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
17

Continue on M 61

1.9 mi · 2 min · State Highway 61
18

Turn left onto North Coolidge Avenue

2.0 mi · 7 min · North Coolidge Avenue
19

At end of road, turn right onto West Larch Road

0.2 mi · 49 sec · West Larch Road
20

Turn left

0.3 mi · 1 min
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given its manageable 2-hour duration, this trip is best suited for a single day, offering flexibility for departure times. You won't need to worry about extensive stops, but it's always wise to take breaks during the longest stretch of 58.1 miles on US 10. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $18 for the 113.8-mile journey. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of potential traffic on I-75 as you leave the Flint area, especially during peak commuting hours.

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 56.9 miles from Flint, MI, or about 1h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.1 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 25 miles or 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 56.9 miles or 1h 2m 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 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clare County, 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.

+

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 Flint, MI

This is one driving day of about 113.8 miles and 2h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Flint, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 58.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Freeland, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Freeland, MI

57 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

Buena Vista, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Freeland, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 56.9 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 105.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
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

5
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Saginaw Street

Turn right onto Saginaw Street

Navigation decision point

5
47.4 mi into trip | ~52m in

Take the exit toward US 10 West: Midland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland
5
58.9 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in | US 10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10: Clare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 10: Clare
6
105.7 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | US 127 BUS

Take the exit onto US 127 BUS toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin

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

Exit 170 Toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.79 one way

$35.58 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 40 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $19.53 $39.07
premium $4.89 $21.90 $43.80
diesel $5.61 $25.13 $50.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 39.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 34.1 0 $11.95 $5.46
Efficient EV 28.5 0 $9.96 $4.55
EV Truck/SUV 45.5 0 $15.93 $7.28

Gas CO2

40 kg

EV CO2

13 kg (68% 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 16, 2026

Origin

Flint, MI

Late night in Flint on Sunday

Local time

3:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

71°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

W 10 mph 84% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:27AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 11:27AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Destination

Clare County, MI

Late night in Clare County on Sunday

Local time

3:47 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°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

3 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

2h 10m 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?

Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of the drive taking place on major roads like US 10 and I-75. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.1 miles on US 10, offering a consistent pace. This drive is less about winding scenic byways and more about efficient travel, with a predominantly highway profile. You'll transition from urban edges near Flint onto more open highway corridors as you head north and west.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.1 mi on US 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and I 75. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near M 21 / East Court Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 113.8 miles you will encounter 14 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; at 0.1 miles (Saginaw Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

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 Clare County, MI, road signs point toward Bus Us 127, M 61: Harrison and Gladwin.

Bus Us 127

105.7 mi in | ~1h 51m | via US 127 BUS

M 61: Harrison

105.7 mi in | ~1h 51m | via US 127 BUS

Gladwin

105.7 mi in | ~1h 51m | via US 127 BUS

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 113.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 58.1 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: near the start (M 21 / East Court Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles (Saginaw Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Clare County, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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