Flint to Morenci is 124.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 31 minutes via US 23 and SR 120, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, primarily within Michigan. Expect a straightforward drive that's largely on major roads, making it a convenient option for a single day. The route is designed for efficiency, so if you're looking for a quick connection between these two points, this is a solid choice without much fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
62.3 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
US 23
88.8 mi
1h 35m
SR 120
13.6 mi
23m
Yankee Road
9 mi
12m
West Sterns Road
2.5 mi
3m
I 75
2.1 mi
2m
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
2.1 mi
2m
Morenci Road
1.5 mi
1m
Clark Road
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 88.8 mi, about 1h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Morenci, 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
2.1 mi·2 min·Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 133Toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
8
Merge onto I 75; US 23
2.1 mi·2 min·I 75; US 23
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
48 mi·51 min·US 23
Toward US 23: Ann ArborUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
41 mi·43 min·US 23
Toward US 23 South: Ann Arbor, ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 1Toward Sterns RoadUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto West Sterns Road
2.5 mi·3 min·West Sterns Road
13
Turn left onto Clark Road
0.5 mi·41 sec·Clark Road
14
Turn straight onto Lynch Road
481 ft·7 sec·Lynch Road
15
Turn slight left onto Clark Road
0.5 mi·43 sec·Clark Road
16
Turn right onto Yankee Road
9.0 mi·12 min·Yankee Road
17
Turn left onto Crockett Highway
0.7 mi·55 sec·Crockett Highway
18
Continue on TR 3
0.4 mi·58 sec·County Road 3
19
Turn right onto SR 120
14 mi·23 min·SR 120
20
Continue on Morenci Road
1.5 mi·1 min·Morenci Road
21
Continue on East Main Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 31 minute estimated drive time, leaving anytime in the morning or early afternoon should allow you to reach Morenci with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and an estimated fuel cost of $19, you have flexibility in planning. The majority of this route is on US 23, so keep an eye on exit numbers as a way to gauge your progress. Since it's a relatively short drive, you can afford to be spontaneous with any breaks you might want to take along the way.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.3 miles from Flint, MI, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.8 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 27 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.3 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Morenci, 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 124.6 miles and 2h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 US 23 for about 88.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 94.8 — 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.
6
2.9 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 133
Toward I 75, US 23: Detroit, Saginaw
7
6 mi into trip|~8m in|US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
8
53.8 mi into trip|~59m in|US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23 South: Ann Arbor, Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 23 South: Ann Arbor, Toledo
7
94.8 mi into trip|~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward Sterns Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1
Toward Sterns Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.72 one way
$41.43 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$22.57
$45.13
premium
$5.18
$25.43
$50.85
diesel
$5.35
$26.24
$52.49
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.4
0
$13.08
$5.98
Efficient EV
31.2
0
$10.90
$4.98
EV Truck/SUV
49.8
0
$17.44
$7.97
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.
Forecast as of May 26, 2026
Origin
Flint, MI
Evening
in Flint on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Morenci, MI
Evening
in Morenci on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Patchy Fog
E 1 mph0% chanceLive 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
2h 31m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the highway, with 86% of the drive on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 88.8 miles on US 23. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like SR 120 and Yankee Road, which will likely involve more frequent intersections and a change in pace as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 88.8 mi on US 23.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and SR 120. 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 Effort8/10
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 124.6 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 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
987 ft670 ft
Total Climb
376 ft
Total Descent
366 ft
Highest Point
987 ft
~26.7 mi in
Elevation Range
317 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 Morenci, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Toledo 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 2h 31m. Total distance: 124.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 88.8 miles on US 23. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 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 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 Morenci, 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 6 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. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Morenci, MI before heading back.
