Naubinway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Flint, MI to Wells, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 44m
Distance
367.9 mi
592 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 33m
★
6 AM
6h 44m
8 AM
7h 8m
10 AM
6h 53m
12 PM
6h 50m
3 PM
6h 54m
5 PM
7h 7m
8 PM
6h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Flint, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Wells, MI
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
Flint to Wells is 367.9 miles and takes about 6h 44m via I 75 and US-2 West, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, traveling from the Midwest region to the Midwest. The profile is mostly highway, making it a straightforward drive for those looking for efficiency. With only one recommended stop, you can expect a fairly direct transit between these two points. It's a solid option for a single day of driving.
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
183.9 miles from Flint, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 218.5 mi | 3h 44m |
| US-2 West | 135 mi | 2h 40m |
| UAW Freeway | 9.7 mi | 10m |
| US 2 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| East Third Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Saginaw Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chavez Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 218.5 mi, about 3h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 30 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,426 veh/hr typical · worst 2,474
Quietest
2 AM
~59 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
24.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Wells, 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
134 mi
·
2 hr 39 min
·
US-2 West
15
Take the exit
197 ft
·
5 sec
Toward US 2 East, US 41 North, M 35 North
16
Merge onto US 2; US 41; M 35
323 ft
·
7 sec
·
US-2/US-41/M-35
17
Turn right onto 517
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
517
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 44m estimated duration, leaving Flint in the morning should allow you to reach Wells with plenty of daylight to spare. The $65 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, but it's always wise to have a little extra. With a 100% highway profile, plan your fuel stops accordingly, as services can be more spread out on interstates compared to surface roads. The longest stretch of 218.5 miles on I 75 means you can settle in for a good portion of the drive without significant turns or slowdowns.
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 183.9 miles from Flint, MI, or about 3h 11m 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 81 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 183.9 miles or 3h 11m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wells, 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 367.9 miles and 6h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 183.9 miles from Flint, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 367.7 — 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
367.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 2 East, US 41 North, M 35 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 2 East, US 41 North, M 35 North
5
367.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
|
517 / Main Street
Turn right onto 517 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.33 one way
$108.66 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
129 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $59.98 | $119.96 |
| premium | $4.72 | $68.31 | $136.62 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $69.47 | $138.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.4 | 1 | $38.63 | $17.66 |
| Efficient EV | 92 | 1 | $32.19 | $14.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.2 | 1 | $51.51 | $23.55 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Origin
Flint, MI
Morning in Flint on Sunday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Smoke
SSE 2 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Wells, MI
Morning in Wells on Sunday
Local time
11:25 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
0 mph
5% 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
2 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 44m 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 100% highway, so expect to stay on pavement for the entire 367.9 miles. Your longest continuous stretch on I 75 will be 218.5 miles, offering a chance for steady cruising. After I 75, you'll transition to US-2 West, which offers a similar highway feel. Keep an eye out for the dense exit patterns as you navigate the interstate sections.
100% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US-2 West. You will hit about 14 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
6/10
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 367.9 miles you will encounter 14 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
1,380 ft
586 ft
Total Climb
1,048 ft
Total Descent
1,173 ft
Highest Point
1,380 ft
~105.1 mi in
Elevation Range
793 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Wells, 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 Wells, MI
Full guide →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 44m. Total distance: 367.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 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 Wells, 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 229.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wells, 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.
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