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Trip from Ida, MI to Flint, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 38m

Distance

87.2 mi

140 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$14

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 31m ★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m

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 Ida, MI, MI

Ida, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 87.2-mile drive from Ida, Michigan, to Flint, Michigan, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 38 minutes, making it ideal for a single day trip. Primarily utilizing US 23 and the Chevrolet-Buick Freeway, this route offers a direct path through the Midwest region. With an estimated fuel cost of $14, it's an economical option for a quick journey. The drive is focused on highway travel, so you can expect a consistent pace for most of the trip. This route is well-suited for those looking for an efficient way to get between these two Michigan locations without needing an overnight stop.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

43.6 miles from Ida, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 23 78.5 mi 1h 24m
Ida West Road 4.5 mi 6m
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway 2.1 mi 2m
West Fifth Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Grand Traverse Street 0.3 mi <1m
Harrison Street <0.1 mi <1m
East Court Street <0.1 mi <1m
Lewis Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 23 — 78.5 mi, about 1h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ida, MI and Flint, MI.

1

Start on Lewis Avenue

43 ft · 6 sec · Lewis Avenue
2

Turn left onto Ida West Road

4.5 mi · 6 min · Ida West Road
3

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward US 23 North: Ann Arbor
4

Merge onto US 23

31 mi · 33 min · US 23
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto US 23

47 mi · 50 min · US 23
Toward US 23 North: Brighton, Flint Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron Use the slight right lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 69 East: Flint, Port Huron
9

Merge onto I 69

2.1 mi · 2 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 36 sec
Toward Saginaw Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street

0.3 mi · 36 sec · South Grand Traverse Street
12

Turn right onto M 21

0.3 mi · 48 sec · West Fifth Street
13

Turn left onto Harrison Street

382 ft · 20 sec · Harrison Street
14

Turn left onto M 21

235 ft · 9 sec · East Court Street
15

Turn left

68 ft · 6 sec
16

Turn right

93 ft · 6 sec
17

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 38 minutes, this drive offers flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, but leaving mid-morning can help you avoid potential rush hour traffic. Since the longest stretch is 78.5 miles on US 23, plan for a single fuel stop if your vehicle's range is less than that, although most modern cars won't require it. The estimated fuel cost is around $14, so monitoring your fuel gauge is a good idea. With no designated stops in the data, consider bringing snacks and drinks to maximize your time on the road.

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.6 miles from Ida, MI, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.5 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 19 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 43.6 miles or 48m 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 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flint, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ida, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ida, MI

This is one driving day of about 87.2 miles and 1h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Ida, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 23 for about 78.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brighton, MI

44 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

Saline, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Green Oak, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 43.6 miles from Ida, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

North End Coffee Cafe Bake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fenton, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.8

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+18102080665

Visit website

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brighton, Michigan

1.8 mi

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brighton, Michigan

1.8 mi

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17342229202

Visit website

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

Zingerman's Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 24.9

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17349296060

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+17348004135

Visit website

Dozer Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 37.4

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17349295217

Visit website

North End Coffee Cafe Bake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 74.8

Fenton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+18102080665

Visit website

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 49.8

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

Visit website

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 49.8

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18102272233

Visit website

Thread Creek Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 56.1

Howell, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18107469302

Visit website

Sanaa Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 24.9

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17345475696

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17347807060

Visit website

Socotra Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17349295672

Visit website

Black Diesel Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 31.2

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17344368355

Visit website

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 87.2

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 87.2

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 68.5

Fenton, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18102151088

Visit website

Zap Zone at BIG Best In Games - Ypsilanti

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 24.9

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+17349306670

Visit website

Rolling Hills Water Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 24.9

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12–7 pm

+17344849676

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 37.4

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 81

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 87.2

Burton, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+18107367100

Visit website

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 36 and 86.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
36 mi into trip | ~40m in | US 23

Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23 North: Brighton, Flint

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 North: Brighton, Flint
7
83.1 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Take the exit toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron

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 I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
7
83.4 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
6
83.6 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 East: Flint, Port Huron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 69 East: Flint, Port Huron
7
86.3 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in

Take the exit toward Saginaw Street, Downtown

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 Saginaw Street, Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.63 one way

$27.27 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $14.97 $29.94
premium $4.89 $16.78 $33.56
diesel $5.61 $19.25 $38.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$14

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$39–$64

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.2 0 $9.16 $4.19
Efficient EV 21.8 0 $7.63 $3.49
EV Truck/SUV 34.9 0 $12.21 $5.58

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 kg (68% 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

Ida, MI

Late night in Ida on Sunday

Local time

3:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Flint, MI

Late night in Flint on Sunday

Local time

3:33 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

43°F

Brighton, MI

44 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

3 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

1h 38m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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 experience for 92% of this 87.2-mile journey. The majority of your time will be spent on US 23, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch of 78.5 miles. This means you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and minimal slowdowns for much of the drive. While the profile suggests a highway-centric route, be aware that the initial part on Ida West Road will be a local road before merging onto the main highway. Overall, the character is that of an efficient transit route rather than a leisurely scenic tour.

92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.5 mi on US 23.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and Ida West Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 36 miles in near US 23.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.2 miles you will encounter 15 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: at 36 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 87.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78.5 miles on US 23. 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 Flint, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 36 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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