Origin
Flint, MI
Morning in Flint on Sunday
Local time
10:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Flint, MI to Houghton Lake, 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 18m
Distance
126.1 mi
203 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 18m
8 AM
2h 37m
10 AM
2h 25m
12 PM
2h 23m
3 PM
2h 26m
5 PM
2h 36m
8 PM
2h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Houghton Lake, MI
Kevin Carrera
Trip Overview
Flint to Houghton Lake is 126.1 miles and takes about 2h 18m via I 75 and M 55, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's primarily a highway-focused journey, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll find it's an efficient route for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning, perfect for a quick getaway or a travel day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63 miles from Flint, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 100.9 mi | 1h 43m |
| M 55 | 14.6 mi | 21m |
| UAW Freeway | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| East Third Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Saginaw Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chavez Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Court Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Stone School Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 100.9 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Houghton Lake, 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 right at fork onto M 55
15 mi
·
21 min
·
M 55
Exit 227
Toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac
11
Turn left onto Stone School Road
67 ft
·
2 sec
·
Stone School Road
12
Arrive at destination
Stone School Road
Trip Plan
Given this is a short, single-day drive of just over two hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Flint in the morning allows ample time to reach Houghton Lake with daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a major change is over 100 miles, so plan for a fuel stop before you depart Flint to ensure you have enough gas to comfortably reach your destination with the estimated $20 fuel cost. With only 0 planned stops, consider making an impromptu stretch break if needed, as the drive is easily manageable in one go.
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 63 miles from Flint, MI, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.9 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 28 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63 miles or 1h 8m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Houghton Lake, 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 126.1 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Flint, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 100.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.9 miles.
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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 111.4 — 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
7
111.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 56m in
|
M 55
Keep slight right at fork onto M 55 toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 227
Toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.71 one way
$39.43 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $21.65 | $43.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $24.27 | $48.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.84 | $55.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.8 | 0 | $13.24 | $6.05 |
| Efficient EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.03 | $5.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.65 | $8.07 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Houghton Lake, MI
Morning in Houghton Lake on Sunday
Local time
10:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
39°F
Worth, MI
63 mi in
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
10 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 18m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with an impressive 88% of the journey taking place on major roadways. Expect a smooth, consistent pace for much of the trip, especially during the longest stretch of 100.9 miles on I 75. The UAW Freeway also contributes to this fast-paced character. While it's a highway-centric experience, the transition to M 55 will offer a slight shift in scenery and road type as you approach your destination.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 100.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and M 55. You will hit about 10 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 126.1 miles you will encounter 10 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.
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 Houghton Lake, MI, road signs point toward M 55 West: Houghton Lake and Cadillac.
M 55 West: Houghton Lake
111.4 mi in
|
~1h 56m
|
via M 55
Cadillac
111.4 mi in
|
~1h 56m
|
via M 55
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 126.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.9 miles on I 75. 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 0.2 miles (East Third Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Houghton Lake, 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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