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Trip from Flint, MI to Pierson, 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 31m

Distance

139.4 mi

224 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 22m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 26m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Pierson, MI, MI

Pierson, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 139.4-mile drive from Flint to Pierson, Michigan, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking about 2 hours and 31 minutes. With 94% of the journey on highways, it's a predominantly I-96 and US-131 experience, making for a straightforward commute through the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost is around $22, which is quite reasonable for a trip of this length. This route offers a practical way to travel between two points within Michigan, focusing on efficient travel rather than extensive sightseeing.

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

69.7 miles from Flint, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 57.8 mi 1h 1m
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway 46 mi 47m
US 131 20.2 mi 21m
I 69 7.2 mi 7m
Federal Road 1.7 mi 2m
West Lake Street Northeast 0.8 mi 1m
22 Mile Road Northeast 0.4 mi <1m
South Grand Traverse Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 57.8 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Flint, MI and Pierson, 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

46 mi · 47 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
6

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 25 sec
Toward US 127: Clare, Lansing Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 39 sec
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 39 sec
9

Merge onto I 69

7.2 mi · 7 min · I 69
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec
Exit 81 Toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
11

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 1 min
Exit 81 Toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
12

Merge onto I 96

52 mi · 55 min · I 96
Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 31B Toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto US 131

20 mi · 21 min · US 131
Use the slight right lane.
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Toward Sand Lake
17

Turn right onto 22 Mile Road Northeast

0.4 mi · 55 sec · 22 Mile Road Northeast
18

Continue on West Lake Street Northeast

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Lake Street Northeast
19

Continue on East Lake Street

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Lake Street
20

Turn left onto North 3rd Street Northeast

0.2 mi · 17 sec · North 3rd Street Northeast
21

Continue on CR 599

1.7 mi · 2 min · Federal Road
22

Continue on CR 522; CR 599

0.3 mi · 33 sec · 4th Street
23

Turn left onto Grand Street

349 ft · 20 sec · Grand Street
24

Turn right onto 3rd Street

148 ft · 6 sec · 3rd Street
25

Arrive at destination

3rd Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2 hour and 31 minute duration, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day. You might consider leaving Flint in the morning to arrive in Pierson by lunchtime. With only one primary stop suggested, you have plenty of flexibility to determine your pace. The longest stretch on I-96 is nearly 58 miles, so ensure you're comfortable with that segment before departing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $22, and plan your stops accordingly to avoid any issues.

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 69.7 miles from Flint, MI, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.8 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 31 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.7 miles or 1h 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 1m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pierson, 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 139.4 miles and 2h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 96 for about 57.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Portland, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Portland, MI

70 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

Owosso, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Portland, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.7 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.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 115.1 — 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.
7
46.9 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward US 127: Clare, Lansing

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
6
55.9 mi into trip | ~59m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 81 Toward I 96 WEST: Grand Rapids
8
109.4 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in | I 96; M 37

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37 toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
8
115.1 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 31B Toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.79 one way

$43.59 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.93 $47.86
premium $4.89 $26.83 $53.65
diesel $5.61 $30.78 $61.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.8 0 $14.64 $6.69
Efficient EV 34.9 0 $12.20 $5.58
EV Truck/SUV 55.8 0 $19.52 $8.92

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Flint, MI

Late night in Flint on Sunday

Local time

3:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

SW 5 to 8 mph 94% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 7:33PM EDT until April 21 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 14 at 7:33PM EDT until April 18 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Destination

Pierson, MI

Late night in Pierson on Sunday

Local time

3:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Portland, MI

70 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this route, with 94% of your travel occurring on major roadways like I-96 and US-131. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 57.8 miles on I-96, so you'll have ample time to settle in. This profile suggests a drive characterized by consistent speed and minimal interruptions, ideal for covering distance efficiently. The transition between these main roads is likely to be smooth, maintaining the highway feel for most of the trip.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.8 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Chevrolet-Buick Freeway. 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 Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 139.4 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 46.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

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 Pierson, MI, road signs point toward Lansing, M 37 North: Muskegon and Big Rapids.

Lansing

46.9 mi in | ~49m

M 37 North: Muskegon

109.4 mi in | ~1h 56m | via I 96; M 37

Big Rapids

115.1 mi in | ~2h 2m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 31m. Total distance: 139.4 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 (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 57.8 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Pierson, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 46.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 55.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Pierson, 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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