Skip to main content

Trip from Flint, MI to Masonville, MI

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 30m

Distance

356.5 mi

574 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$59

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 18m ★
6 AM
6h 30m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 36m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 23m

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

Downtown Flint, MI, MI

Flint, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Masonville, MI, MI

Masonville, MI

Youngcucafilms

Trip Overview

Flint to Masonville is 356.5 miles and takes about 6h 30m via I 75 and US-2 West, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. With 99% of the drive on highways, expect a straightforward and efficient trip. It's a single-day adventure that's manageable for most drivers, making it a solid choice if you're looking to cover ground without an overnight stop.

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

178.3 miles from Flint, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 218.5 mi 3h 44m
US-2 West 122.9 mi 2h 25m
UAW Freeway 9.7 mi 10m
US 2 3.2 mi 3m
Bay Shore Drive 0.9 mi 2m
East Third Street 0.4 mi 1m
Saginaw Street 0.1 mi <1m
S.75 Road 0.1 mi <1m
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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Masonville, 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

122 mi · 2 hr 23 min · US-2 West
15

Turn left onto 515

0.1 mi · 15 sec · S.75 Road
16

Continue on 515

0.9 mi · 2 min · Bay Shore Drive
17

Arrive at destination

515

Trip Plan

Given the 6h 30m estimated drive time, leaving Flint in the morning will allow you to reach Masonville comfortably within daylight hours. The longest stretch without a major change in road type is 218.5 miles on I 75, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before you hit that segment. With a fuel cost estimated around $55, it's a budget-friendly option for a single-day trip. Consider a brief stop around the halfway point to break up the drive, especially if you're not accustomed to longer periods behind the wheel.

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 178.3 miles from Flint, MI, or about 3h 5m 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 78 miles or 1h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 178.3 miles or 3h 5m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Masonville, 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 356.5 miles and 6h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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

Gaylord, MI

178 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

Edenville, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Gaylord, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 178.3 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break · final third

Boardwalk Coffee & General Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

St Ignace, Michigan

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 2h 19m to go 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19069846018

Visit website

Mug Shots Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rapid River, Michigan

1.7 mi

Waters End Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gaylord, Michigan

2.6 mi

Boardwalk Coffee & General Store

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

St Ignace, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19069846018

Visit website

Mug Shots Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Rapid River, Michigan

+19063981415

Waters End Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Gaylord, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

Visit website

Stone Mountain Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

West Branch, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+19893453006

Visit website

Superbloom Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $1 to $10

Gladstone, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+19064208444

Visit website

Naubinway Rest Area

0 mi from route

Gaylord Rest Area 405

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Dodge Road Rest Area 631

0.1 mi from route

Garden Corners Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Alger Rest Area 625

0.1 mi from route

Bay City Rest Area 605

0.1 mi from route

Clio Rest Area 612

0.1 mi from route

Linwood Rest Area 626

0.1 mi from route

Hebron Rest Area 408

0.1 mi from route

Mackinaw City Welcome Center 409

0.1 mi from route

Topinabee Rest Area 407

0.1 mi from route

Vanderbilt Rest Area 406

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Grayling Rest Area 403

0.1 mi from route

Hartwick Pines Rest Area 404

0.1 mi from route

Nine Mile Hill Rest Area 434

0.1 mi from route

West Branch Rest Area 433

0.1 mi from route

Saint Ignace Welcome Center

0.1 mi from route

Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

M-81 Express Stop

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Saint Ignace Rest Area

1.8 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.2 mi from route

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

Wawatam Lighthouse

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

St Ignace, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19066438717

Visit website

Museum of Ojibwa Culture at Old Mission Saint-Ignace

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

St Ignace, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19066439161

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

Circle K

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Rapid River, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19069367151

Visit website

Wood Observation Tower

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

St Ignace, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

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

Castle Rock

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

St Ignace, Michigan

+19066438268

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

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

$59.47 one way

$118.94 round trip

$4.24/gal 25.4 MPG avg 125 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.62 $64.89 $129.77
premium $5.25 $73.73 $147.46
diesel $6.18 $86.72 $173.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$59

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$84–$109

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 107 1 $37.43 $17.11
Efficient EV 89.1 1 $31.19 $14.26
EV Truck/SUV 142.6 1 $49.91 $22.82

Gas CO2

125 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (66% 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 Oct 19, 2026

Origin

Flint, MI

Afternoon in Flint on Tuesday

Local time

2:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

41°F

Clear

SW 6 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Masonville, MI

Afternoon in Masonville on Tuesday

Local time

2:33 PM

EDT

Current temp

37°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 5 mph 0% chance 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

4 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 30m 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?

This route is almost entirely highway driving, with 99% of the 356.5 miles on major roads like I 75 and US-2 West. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 218.5 miles on I 75 before transitioning to other highways. Expect a consistent cruising experience with frequent exits and merges as you navigate through various Michigan landscapes.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 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 12 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 356.5 miles you will encounter 12 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,356 ft 601 ft

Total Climb

809 ft

Total Descent

961 ft

Highest Point

1,356 ft

~152.8 mi in

Elevation Range

754 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 Masonville, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.

Escanaba

229.1 mi in | ~3h 57m

About the Cities

Starting in Flint, MI

Full guide →

Founded 1818

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

Arriving in Masonville, MI

Full guide →

Top landmarks

  • • County Road I-39–Rapid River Bridge — bridge in United States of America

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 356.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). 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 30 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 Masonville, 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. There are 30 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 0.2 miles (East Third Street): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Masonville, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.