Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
55m
Distance
39.6 mi
64 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Flint, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Orchard Lake, MI
Sean Ewing
Flint to Orchard Lake is 39.6 miles and takes about 55 minutes via I 75 and UAW Freeway, with a fuel budget near $7 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short trip stays within Michigan, traveling from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Expect a straightforward drive that's mostly on the highway, making it a convenient option for a quick commute or a brief getaway. It's a practical route that doesn't require extensive planning, ideal for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 17.6 mi | 18m |
| UAW Freeway | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| Dixie Highway | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Highland Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Airport Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Cass Lake Road | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| Orchard Lake Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| Andersonville Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Orchard Lake, MI.
Start on this road
Turn right
At end of road, turn left onto M 21
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 475
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 24
Turn right onto Andersonville Road
Turn left onto Airport Road
At end of road, turn right onto Williams Lake Road
Turn left onto Airport Road
Turn left onto M 59
Turn right onto Cass Lake Road
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
Turn left onto West Long Lake Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
20 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.
A short stop after about 39.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 19.8 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 39.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto M 21 / East Fifth Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward US 24: Waterford, Oakland County International Airport, Dixie Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto Andersonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto West Long Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.58 one way
$13.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $7.17 | $14.34 |
| premium | $5.18 | $8.08 | $16.16 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $8.34 | $16.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.9 | 0 | $4.16 | $1.90 |
| Efficient EV | 9.9 | 0 | $3.47 | $1.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.54 | $2.53 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Flint on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 29 at 5:25AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Evening in Orchard Lake on Wednesday
Local time
5:30 PM
EDT
Current temp
80°F
Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 29 at 5:25AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
82°F
Clarkston, MI
20 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This drive is mostly highway, with 61% of the route utilizing major freeways. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 17.6 miles on I 75, offering a steady cruising experience. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination, likely involving more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds. Given the highway share, expect relatively smooth sailing for the majority of the trip before reaching more localized traffic.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and UAW Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 15 decision points packed into just 39.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 55m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (M 21 / East Fifth Street): Navigation decision point; at 25 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
388 ft
Total Descent
181 ft
Highest Point
1,095 ft
~22.6 mi in
Elevation Range
344 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Flint, MI and Orchard Lake, MI, road signs point toward Oakland County International Airport and Dixie Highway.
Oakland County International Airport
Dixie Highway
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 55m. Total distance: 39.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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