Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Flint, MI to Flat Rock, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 49m

Distance

371.3 mi

598 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$58

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 38m ★
6 AM
6h 50m
8 AM
7h 13m
10 AM
6h 58m
12 PM
6h 55m
3 PM
6h 59m
5 PM
7h 12m
8 PM
6h 42m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Flat Rock, MI, MI

Flat Rock, MI

GirlvsGlobe86

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Flint to Flat Rock, prepare for a 371.3-mile journey that takes approximately 6 hours and 49 minutes to complete. Because this is a highway-focused drive within the Midwest, it is perfectly feasible as a one-day trip, though you should budget about $56 for fuel. You will primarily navigate via I-75, US-2 West, and the UAW Freeway. Since the entire route stays within Michigan, you won't face regional transitions, but the distance is significant enough to require focused attention. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this straightforward route offers a clear path across the state.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

185.7 miles from Flint, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 218.5 mi 3h 44m
US-2 West 130.2 mi 2h 34m
UAW Freeway 9.7 mi 10m
County 416 20th Road 3.5 mi 4m
US 2 3.2 mi 3m
County 420 21st Road 3 mi 4m
County 426 M.5 Road 1 mi 1m
South Hill Road 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 218.5 mi, about 3h 44m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Flat Rock, 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

38 mi · 40 min · I 75; US 23
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

63 mi · 1 hr 3 min · I 75; US 23
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

118 mi · 2 hr 1 min · I 75
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 344B Toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
12

Merge onto US 2; I 75 BL

0.7 mi · 1 min · US-2 West
13

Continue on US 2

3.2 mi · 3 min · US 2
14

Continue on US 2

130 mi · 2 hr 33 min · US-2 West
15

Turn right onto South Hill Road

392 ft · 10 sec · South Hill Road
16

Continue on Blackwell Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Blackwell Avenue
17

Continue on South Hill Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Hill Road
18

Continue on 420

3.0 mi · 4 min · County 420 21st Road
19

Turn left onto 426

1.0 mi · 1 min · County 426 M.5 Road
20

Turn right onto 416

3.5 mi · 4 min · County 416 20th Road
21

Arrive at destination

20th Road

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 371.3-mile trek, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the long stretches of interstate. Since the drive takes nearly seven hours, departing early in the morning helps you avoid potential congestion on the main freeways. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that 218.5-mile segment on I-75 to ensure you don't run low between service stops. Because this is a single-day trip, maintaining a steady pace is key to arriving in Flat Rock without unnecessary fatigue. Use your one scheduled stop to stretch and reset, ensuring you stay alert for the final leg of your journey.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.7 miles from Flint, MI, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 218.5 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 82 miles or 1h 27m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 185.7 miles or 3h 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flat Rock, 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 371.3 miles and 6h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Flint, 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 218.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Cheboygan, MI

186 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

Skidway Lake, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Otsego Lake, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 185.7 miles from Flint, 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 218.5 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.

Top Restaurant

Upper Crust Cafe Bakery & Deli

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manistique, Michigan

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 318.3

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+19063412253

Visit website

Cedar Street Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manistique, Michigan

1.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Grind Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manistique, Michigan

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 318.3

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19062861137

Visit website

Upper Crust Cafe Bakery & Deli

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 318.3

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+19063412253

Visit website

Cedar Street Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 318.3

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19063412469

The Grind Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 318.3

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19062861137

Visit website

Waters End Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 159.1

Gaylord, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

Visit website

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Manistique Boardwalk

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 318.3

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Mystery Spot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 238.7

St Ignace, Michigan

+19066438322

Visit website

Bay City State Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 53

Bay City, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+19896843020

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 229.1 — 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

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Third Street

Turn right onto East Third Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 475 North

Navigation decision point

Toward I 475 North
6
229.1 mi into trip | ~3h 57m in

Take the exit toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba

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

Exit 344B Toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$58.05 one way

$116.10 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 130 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $63.73 $127.47
premium $4.89 $71.45 $142.91
diesel $5.61 $81.98 $163.96

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$58

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 129.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 111.4 1 $38.99 $17.82
Efficient EV 92.8 1 $32.49 $14.85
EV Truck/SUV 148.5 1 $51.98 $23.76

Gas CO2

130 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 12, 2026

Origin

Flint, MI

Late night in Flint on Sunday

Local time

12:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

75°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSW 14 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 12 at 3:02PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued April 12 at 3:59PM EDT until April 13 at 3:45AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Destination

Flat Rock, MI

Late night in Flat Rock on Sunday

Local time

12:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°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

19 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

6h 49m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highly efficient transit, as 97% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend a substantial portion of your time on I-75, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 218.5 miles. This profile is ideal for those who prefer steady, high-speed travel over technical backroads or winding local routes. While the drive is largely a highway grind, the transition between these major arteries keeps the experience consistent. You can anticipate a predictable, fast-paced environment behind the wheel for almost the entire duration of the trip.

97% 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: 218.5 mi on I 75.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US-2 West. 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 371.3 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 0.2 miles (East Third Street): Navigation decision point.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Flint, MI to Flat Rock, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.

Escanaba

229.1 mi in | ~3h 57m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 49m. Total distance: 371.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 49m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 218.5 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Flat Rock, 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: near the start (M 21 / East Court Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 0.1 miles (Saginaw Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (East Third Street): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Flat Rock, MI before the return drive.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Flat Rock, MI

Dearborn, MI 439.6 mi · 8h 4m Kalamazoo, MI 433.9 mi · 8h 6m Livonia, MI 431.1 mi · 7h 54m Grand Rapids, MI 383.7 mi · 7h 13m

More from Flint, MI

Atlantic Mine, MI 490.9 mi · 9h 29m Superior, MI 488.7 mi · 9h 25m Sagola, MI 428.2 mi · 8h 6m Republic, MI 424.3 mi · 8h 1m Harvey, MI 386 mi · 7h 6m Sault Ste. Marie, MI 280.8 mi · 4h 51m
Escape planner: Flint, MI Scenic drives in MI

Explore more options from Flint, MI or browse trips ending in Flat Rock, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.