Flint, MI to Ishpeming, MI is 403.1 miles and takes about 7h 32m via I-75, M-28, and US-2 West, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Midwest region of Michigan to its northern reaches, largely staying within the state. The route offers a straightforward drive, predominantly on highways, making it a solid option for a single-day journey. It's a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently between these two Michigan cities without extensive planning.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.5 miles from Flint, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
218.5 mi
3h 44m
M-28
70.9 mi
1h 23m
US-2 West
62.1 mi
1h 12m
M 77
17.3 mi
20m
County Road 480
12.5 mi
18m
UAW Freeway
9.7 mi
10m
US 2
3.2 mi
3m
East Munising
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 218.5 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,440 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,747
Quietest
2 AM
~58 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
24.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Ishpeming, 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 344BToward 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
61 mi·1 hr 11 min·US-2 West
15
Turn right onto M 77
17 mi·20 min·M 77
16
Turn sharp left onto M 28
35 mi·41 min·M-28
17
Continue on M 28
0.2 mi·28 sec·Cedar Street
18
Enter roundabout onto M 28
194 ft·11 sec·East Munising
19
Continue on M 28
2.2 mi·4 min·East Munising
20
Continue on M 28
36 mi·42 min·M-28
21
Continue on CR 551
1.8 mi·2 min·Cherry Creek Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto CR 480
13 mi·18 min·County Road 480
23
Continue on Rail Street
0.4 mi·36 sec·Rail Street
24
Turn left onto Division Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Division Street
25
At end of road, turn right onto County Road
1.3 mi·2 min·County Road
26
Continue on M 28 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·East Division Street
27
Turn left onto South 1st Street
15 ft·0 sec·South 1st Street
28
Arrive at destination
South 1st Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 32m estimated duration, departing Flint in the morning, around 8 AM, should allow you to reach Ishpeming with daylight to spare. You have two planned stops, which is reasonable for a drive of this length, helping you break up the 403.1 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition from I-75 to US-2 West, as services might become less frequent in the later stages of the drive. The $64 fuel estimate is based on the total distance, so ensure you have enough to cover it, perhaps budgeting a little extra for unexpected detours.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.5 miles from Flint, MI, or about 3h 29m 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 89 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.5 miles or 3h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ishpeming, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Flint, MI
This is one driving day of about 403.1 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Flint, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 347.3 — 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
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
5
312 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|M 28 / M-28
Turn sharp left onto M 28 / M-28
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
347.3 mi into trip|~6h 17m in|M 28 / East Munising
Enter roundabout onto M 28 / East Munising
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.86 one way
$127.72 round trip
$4.02/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.40
$69.81
$139.62
premium
$5.01
$79.45
$158.89
diesel
$5.65
$89.70
$179.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-24.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.9
1
$42.33
$19.35
Efficient EV
100.8
1
$35.27
$16.12
EV Truck/SUV
161.2
2
$56.43
$25.80
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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 Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Flint, MI
Morning
in Flint on Friday
Local time
7:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Areas Of Fog
SSE 1 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 4 at 5:52AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 4 at 5:18AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Destination
Ishpeming, MI
Morning
in Ishpeming on Friday
Local time
7:08 AM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
E 0 to 10 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 4 at 5:52AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued September 4 at 5:18AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
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
5 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
7h 32m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coa...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$25
near mile 333.6
Park Closure: Munising Falls Trail Closed Until Further Notice
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 73% of this 403.1-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch of highway cruising is 218.5 miles on I-75. After this significant highway portion, the route transitions to M-28 and US-2 West, which may involve more varied road conditions and potentially fewer immediate services as you move further north. Expect a mix of high-speed travel and more rural cruising.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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 M-28. You will hit about 18 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 Effort5/10
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 403.1 miles you will encounter 18 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 229.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,413 ft604 ft
Total Climb
1,693 ft
Total Descent
1,034 ft
Highest Point
1,413 ft
~403.1 mi in
Elevation Range
809 ft
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 Ishpeming, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 32m. Total distance: 403.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). 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.
Yes — we found about 32 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 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 Ishpeming, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 229.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ishpeming, MI before the return drive.
