Hiawatha to Clinton Township is 386.2 miles and takes about 7h 6m via I 75 and M 59, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, traversing the Midwest region from start to finish. With a high highway share, expect a fairly direct drive. You'll have two recommended stops along the way, making it manageable for a single day of travel. Plan for a straightforward trip focused on covering distance efficiently.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
193.1 miles from Hiawatha, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
266 mi
4h 35m
East Lakeshore Drive
83.1 mi
1h 37m
M 59
16 mi
20m
M 94
10.9 mi
16m
US 2
3.2 mi
3m
Cass Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Romeo Plank Road
1.2 mi
1m
Moravian Drive
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 266 mi, about 4h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hiawatha, MI and Clinton Township, MI.
1
Start on M 94
11 mi·16 min·M 94
2
Turn left onto M 94
0.9 mi·1 min·Deer Street
3
Continue on M 94
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Elk Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto M 94
0.6 mi·55 sec·North Maple Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 2
83 mi·1 hr 37 min·East Lakeshore Drive
6
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi·3 min·US 2
7
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi·46 sec·US-2 West
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
9
Merge onto I 75
94 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 75
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
37 mi·39 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 77AToward M 59 East: UticaUse the right lane.
14
Merge onto M 59
16 mi·20 min·M 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Romeo Plank Road
Use the right lane.
16
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
112 ft·2 sec·Romeo Plank Road
17
Continue on Romeo Plank Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Romeo Plank Road
18
Enter roundabout onto Cass Avenue
123 ft·2 sec·Cass Avenue
19
Continue on Cass Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Cass Avenue
20
Turn right onto Moravian Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·Moravian Drive
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn right onto White Oaks Drive
0.2 mi·52 sec·White Oaks Drive
22
Turn right onto Red Oaks Drive
289 ft·12 sec·Red Oaks Drive
23
Arrive at destination
Red Oaks Drive
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Hiawatha to maximize daylight. With 386.2 miles and only two suggested stops, you can take your time at each break. The $60 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 266-mile stretch on I 75. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but don't underestimate the time it takes to navigate the transition from the interstate to M 59 near the end.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 193.1 miles from Hiawatha, MI, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 266 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 85 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.1 miles or 3h 38m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton Township, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hiawatha, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hiawatha, MI
This is one driving day of about 386.2 miles and 7h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Hiawatha, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 266 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 193.7 and 384.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
193.7 mi into trip|~3h 39m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
6
328.9 mi into trip|~5h 57m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
365.7 mi into trip|~6h 37m in
Take the exit toward M 59 East: Utica
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 77A
Toward M 59 East: Utica
6
382 mi into trip|~6h 58m in|Romeo Plank Road
Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
384.7 mi into trip|~7h 3m in|Moravian Drive
Turn right onto Moravian Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.38 one way
$120.76 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$66.29
$132.59
premium
$4.89
$74.32
$148.64
diesel
$5.61
$85.27
$170.54
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
41 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Gaylord, MI
Tesla
10 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Swartz Creek, MI
Tesla
10 DCFC
Star Line Ferry - Tesla Supercharger
Mackinaw City, MI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Meijer - Tesla Supercharger
Bay City, MI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Mackinaw City, MI
Mackinaw City, MI
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
6 DCFC
Grayling, MI
Grayling, MI
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
6 DCFC
Saginaw, MI
Saginaw, MI
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
6 DCFC
FasCharge Site 5017 Next Door Marathon Mackinaw City
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.9
1
$40.55
$18.54
Efficient EV
96.6
1
$33.79
$15.45
EV Truck/SUV
154.5
1
$54.07
$24.72
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hiawatha, MI
Late night
in Hiawatha on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clinton Township, MI
Late night
in Clinton Township on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
11 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 6m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 70% of the 386.2 miles on major roads like I 75. You'll experience a long stretch of 266 miles on I 75 before transitioning to surface roads like East Lakeshore Drive and M 59. Expect a significant number of exits and changes in speed limits as you move from the interstate to local routes.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 266 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and East Lakeshore Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 193.7 miles in near I 75.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 386.2 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: at 193.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 365.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hiawatha, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward Detroit and M 59 East: Utica.
Detroit
193.7 mi in|~3h 39m|via I 75
M 59 East: Utica
365.7 mi in|~6h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 6m. Total distance: 386.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 6m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 266 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Clinton Township, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 193.7 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 328.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 365.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clinton Township, MI before the return drive.
