Origin
Flint, MI
Late night in Flint on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Flint, MI to Climax, 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 8m
Distance
117.4 mi
189 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Climax, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
This 117.4-mile drive from Flint to Climax, Michigan, is a straightforward 2-hour and 8-minute journey perfect for a single day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 81% of the travel on major roads like I-69. With an estimated fuel cost of $18, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest region. You won't need to split this drive overnight; it's designed for efficient travel. This route offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58.7 miles from Flint, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 48.8 mi | 52m |
| Chevrolet-Buick Freeway | 46 mi | 47m |
| Mercury Drive | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| North Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| South Grand Traverse Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Court Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South 44th Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East M N Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 48.8 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Climax, MI.
1
Start on this road
93 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn uturn onto M 21
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
East Court Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Grand Traverse Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
5
Merge onto I 69
46 mi
·
47 min
·
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
9
Merge onto I 69
14 mi
·
15 min
·
I 69
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 69
Exit 97
Toward I 69 South: Charlotte, Fort Wayne
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 94: Chicago, Detroit
12
Keep slight right at fork
16 mi
·
18 min
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 92
Toward M-37: Climax, Augusta
14
Turn left onto I 94 BL; M 37
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Columbia Avenue
15
Continue on Mercury Drive
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Mercury Drive
16
Continue on East M N Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East M N Avenue
17
Turn left onto South 44th Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
South 44th Street
18
Continue on North Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn left onto East Maple Street
237 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Maple Street
20
Arrive at destination
East Maple Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 8-minute duration, this drive from Flint to Climax offers flexibility; you can leave whenever suits you best. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps stopping at a rest area along I-69. The longest continuous stretch is nearly 50 miles, so consider stopping before you feel the need. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the estimated cost is $18, and ensure you have enough to reach Climax comfortably.
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 58.7 miles from Flint, MI, or about 1h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.8 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 26 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58.7 miles or 1h 1m 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 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Climax, 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 117.4 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Flint, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 48.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 58.7 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 113.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
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.
7
46.9 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
7
62.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
I 69
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69 toward I 69 South: Charlotte, Fort Wayne
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 97
Toward I 69 South: Charlotte, Fort Wayne
5
97.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward I 94: Chicago, Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94: Chicago, Detroit
6
113.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward M-37: Climax, Augusta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 92
Toward M-37: Climax, Augusta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.35 one way
$36.71 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
41 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $20.15 | $40.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $22.59 | $45.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $25.92 | $51.84 |
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: 41.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.2 | 0 | $12.33 | $5.64 |
| Efficient EV | 29.4 | 0 | $10.27 | $4.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47 | 0 | $16.44 | $7.51 |
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Climax, MI
Late night in Climax on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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
20 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
2h 8m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 for the majority of this 117.4-mile trip, with 81% of your travel occurring on main roads. You'll spend a good portion of your time on I-69, which constitutes the longest continuous stretch of 48.8 miles. The Chevrolet-Buick Freeway and Mercury Drive also contribute to the predominantly high-speed nature of this drive. This route is less about winding scenic byways and more about covering ground efficiently, making it a functional transit rather than a leisurely cruise.
81% 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: 48.8 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and Chevrolet-Buick Freeway. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 117.4 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: near the start (M 21 / East Court Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.9 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Climax, MI, road signs point toward Lansing, Fort Wayne and Detroit.
Lansing
46.9 mi in
|
~49m
Fort Wayne
62.9 mi in
|
~1h 6m
|
via I 69
Detroit
97.3 mi in
|
~1h 43m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 8m. Total distance: 117.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 48.8 miles on I 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Climax, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 46.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 62.9 miles (I 69): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Climax, 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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