Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Iron Mountain, MI to Westland, 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
8h 55m
Distance
483 mi
777 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$71
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
40 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 47m
★
6 AM
8h 55m
8 AM
9h 11m
10 AM
9h 1m
12 PM
8h 59m
3 PM
9h 2m
5 PM
9h 10m
8 PM
8h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iron Mountain, MI
Andrei Iusco
Westland, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
Iron Mountain to Westland is 483 miles and takes about 8h 55m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $85 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This Midwest to Midwest trip is primarily on highways, making for a straightforward drive across Michigan. With a recommended two days for the trip, you can break up the drive and explore a bit more comfortably. This route offers a practical way to traverse the state without too much complication.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
241.5 miles from Iron Mountain, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 229.2 mi | 3h 56m |
| West Lakeshore Drive | 88.4 mi | 1h 44m |
| US-2/US-41/M-35 | 46 mi | 55m |
| US 23 | 30.9 mi | 33m |
| US 2 | 25.2 mi | 31m |
| Eighth Avenue | 20.4 mi | 23m |
| I 96 | 14.9 mi | 15m |
| I 275 | 11.1 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 229.2 mi, about 3h 56m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,617 veh/hr typical · worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~82 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.7×
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 Iron Mountain, MI and Westland, MI.
1
Start on M 95
115 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Ludington Street
2
Turn right onto US 2; US 141
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Stephenson Avenue
3
Continue on US 2; US 141
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US-2/US-141
4
Continue on US 2
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Murray Road
5
Turn straight onto US 2
20 mi
·
23 min
·
Eighth Avenue
6
Continue on US 2; US 41
22 mi
·
27 min
·
US 2; US 41
7
Turn left onto US 2; US 41; M 35
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Lincoln Road
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 2; US 41; M 35
46 mi
·
55 min
·
US-2/US-41/M-35
9
Continue on US 2
88 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
West Lakeshore Drive
10
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
US 2
11
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi
·
46 sec
·
US-2 West
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
13
Merge onto I 75
94 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 75
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 75; US 23
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi
·
33 min
·
US 23
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
19
Merge onto I 96
15 mi
·
15 min
·
I 96
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 163
Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
22
Continue on I 275; I 96
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 275; I 96
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Exit 25
Toward M 153: Canton, Westland
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn left onto M 153
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Ford Road
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
M 153
Trip Plan
Given the 8 hour 55 minute drive time, splitting this trip over two days is a sensible approach. Plan to leave early if you intend to drive straight through, but consider an overnight stop to make the 483 miles more manageable. With two recommended stops, you can break up the drive into roughly equal segments. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 229.2-mile stretch on I 75, as services can sometimes be spaced out on longer highway segments.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 241.5 miles from Iron Mountain, MI, or about 4h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 229.2 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 106 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 241.5 miles or 4h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 241.5 miles or 4h 41m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westland, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Iron Mountain, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Iron Mountain, MI
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Westland, MI
Aim for roughly 242 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 106 miles from Iron Mountain, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 229.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
242 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Cheboygan, MIOvernight Options
Night 1
242 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Cheboygan, MI after about 242 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 106 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 241.5 miles from Iron Mountain, 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 229.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 242 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.
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.
Naubinway Rest Area
0 mi from route
Alger Rest Area 625
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Dodge Road Rest Area 631
0.1 mi from route
Garden Corners Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Clio Rest Area 612
0.1 mi from route
Linwood Rest Area 626
0.1 mi from route
Gaylord Rest Area 405
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
Hartwick Pines Rest Area 404
0.1 mi from route
Nine Mile Hill Rest Area 434
0.1 mi from route
Saint Ignace Welcome Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
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
Bay City Rest Area 605
0.2 mi from route
Fenton Rest Area 624
0.2 mi from route
M-81 Express Stop
0.2 mi from route
West Branch Rest Area 433
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Grayling Rest Area 403
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 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 51.7 and 480.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
51.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road
Turn left onto US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
286.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m 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
5
421.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 46m in
|
US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
8
468.1 mi into trip
|
~8h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 163
Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
8
480.2 mi into trip
|
~8h 50m in
Take the exit toward M 153: Canton, Westland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 25
Toward M 153: Canton, Westland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.33 one way
$142.66 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
169 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $78.74 | $157.49 |
| premium | $4.72 | $89.68 | $179.36 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $91.20 | $182.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 169 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
40 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Gaylord, MI - Tesla Supercharger
Gaylord, MI
Tesla
10 DCFC
Swartz Creek, MI - Tesla Supercharger
Swartz Creek, MI
Tesla
10 DCFC
Escanaba, MI - Tesla Supercharger
Escanaba, MI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Mackinaw City, MI - Tesla Supercharger
Mackinaw City, MI
Tesla
8 DCFC
Bay City, MI - 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
ChargePoint Network: 13
RED_E: 6
Tesla: 5
Blink Network: 3
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 3
Electrify America: 2
FORD_CHARGE: 2
Non-Networked: 2
EV Connect: 1
FCN: 1
SHELL_RECHARGE: 1
eVgo Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 144.9 | 1 | $50.72 | $23.18 |
| Efficient EV | 120.8 | 1 | $42.26 | $19.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 193.2 | 2 | $67.62 | $30.91 |
Gas CO2
169 kg
EV CO2
57 kg (66% 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
Iron Mountain, MI
Late night in Iron Mountain on Sunday
Local time
2:00 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Smoke
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:37PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Destination
Westland, MI
Late night in Westland on Sunday
Local time
3:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Smoke
N 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:59PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 9:37PM EDT until July 19 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
10 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
8h 55m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with about 75% of the 483 miles on major roads like I 75. You'll encounter a long stretch of 229.2 miles on I 75, so expect consistent cruising. The highway portion will likely involve frequent exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas. The route transitions to surface roads for the remaining 25% of the journey, offering a change of pace.
75% 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: 229.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and West Lakeshore Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 51.7 miles in near US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 483 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 51.7 miles (US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 286.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 421.4 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,228 ft
587 ft
Total Climb
1,113 ft
Total Descent
1,584 ft
Highest Point
1,228 ft
~276.1 mi in
Elevation Range
641 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 Iron Mountain, MI to Westland, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
Detroit
286.3 mi in
|
~5h 28m
|
via I 75
About the Cities
Starting in Iron Mountain, MI
Full guide →Iron Mountain is a city of 7,500 people (2020) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Arriving in Westland, MI
Full guide →Founded 1966
Westland is a city in Wayne County in the state of Michigan.
Top landmarks
- • Annapolis Park Historic District — historic district in Westland, Michigan
- • Norwayne Historic District — historic district in Westland, Michigan, United States
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 229.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 242 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Westland, 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.7 miles (US 2; US 41; M 35 / North Lincoln Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 286.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 421.4 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Westland, 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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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