This 584.2-mile journey from Ironwood, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is a substantial undertaking, best split over two days to avoid fatigue. Expect to spend around 9 hours and 26 minutes behind the wheel, with an estimated fuel cost of $89. The route primarily utilizes local roads, with a 0% highway share, suggesting a more scenic, ground-level experience. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. This trip takes you across the Midwest region of Michigan, offering a glimpse into the state's diverse landscapes.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
292.1 miles from Ironwood, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
229.2 mi
3h 56m
M 28
78.3 mi
1h 31m
M-28
70.9 mi
1h 24m
US 2
65.1 mi
1h 15m
US 23
45.4 mi
48m
US 41
41 mi
54m
M 77
17.3 mi
20m
West Cloverland Drive
11.5 mi
14m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Ironwood, MI and Ann Arbor, MI.
1
Start on North Lowell Street
97 ft·9 sec·North Lowell Street
2
Turn left onto East Ayer Street
461 ft·25 sec·East Ayer Street
3
Turn left onto US 2 BUS
474 ft·9 sec·North Suffolk Street
4
Turn right onto US 2 BUS
454 ft·7 sec·East Frederick Street
5
Turn slight left onto US 2 BUS
0.4 mi·42 sec·Douglas Boulevard
6
Turn right onto US 2
12 mi·14 min·West Cloverland Drive
7
Turn left onto Smith Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Smith Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto M 28
78 mi·1 hr 31 min·M 28
9
Turn right onto US 41; M 28
40 mi·52 min·US 41; M 28
10
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
92 ft·5 sec·US 41; M 28
11
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.9 mi·1 min·US 41; M 28
12
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
94 ft·5 sec·Palms Avenue
13
Continue on US 41; M 28
10 mi·14 min·Palms Avenue
14
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
116 ft·6 sec·US-41/M-28
15
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.5 mi·45 sec·US-41/M-28
16
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
103 ft·6 sec·US-41/M-28
17
Continue on US 41; M 28
1.6 mi·2 min·US-41/M-28
18
Continue on US 41; M 28
1.0 mi·1 min·Marquette Bypass
19
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
109 ft·6 sec·Marquette Bypass
20
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.2 mi·14 sec·Marquette Bypass
21
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
107 ft·1 sec·Marquette Bypass
22
Continue on US 41; M 28
0.5 mi·52 sec·Marquette Bypass
23
Take the exit onto US 41; M 28
410 ft·10 sec·US 41; M 28
24
Merge onto US 41; M 28
2.6 mi·4 min·South Front Street
25
Continue on US 41; M 28
1.6 mi·2 min·US-41/M-28
26
Turn left onto M 28
36 mi·42 min·M-28
27
Continue on M 28
2.2 mi·4 min·West Munising Avenue
28
Continue on M 28
0.2 mi·22 sec·Cedar Street
29
Continue on M 28
35 mi·41 min·M-28
30
Turn sharp right onto M 77
17 mi·20 min·M 77
31
At end of road, turn left onto US 2
65 mi·1 hr 15 min·US 2
32
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
33
Merge onto I 75
94 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 75
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
36
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
45 mi·48 min·US 23
Toward US 23: Ann ArborUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit onto US 23 BUS
1.5 mi·1 min·US 23 BUS
Exit 45Toward M 14 West: Ann ArborUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit onto US 23 BUS
0.9 mi·1 min·US 23 BUS
Exit 3Toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann ArborUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn left onto Depot Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Depot Street
Use the left lane.
40
Turn right
119 ft·6 sec
41
Continue on North State Street
0.6 mi·1 min·North State Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Arrive at destination
South State Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9 hour and 26 minute duration, planning for two days is highly recommended for this 584.2-mile drive. Aim for an early start on your first day to maximize daylight hours. With two planned stops, consider pacing them roughly every 3 hours to stay fresh. The $89 fuel cost is a good estimate, but keep an eye on your gauge, especially in areas with fewer services. Since this route avoids highways, pay close attention to navigation and speed limits as you pass through various towns.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 292.1 miles from Ironwood, MI, or about 5h 58m 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 129 miles or 2h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 292.1 miles or 5h 58m 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 292.1 miles or 5h 58m
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 9h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ann Arbor, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ironwood, 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 Ironwood, MI
Aim for roughly 292 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Ann Arbor, MI
Aim for roughly 292 miles and 5.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 129 miles from Ironwood, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 582.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 2 BUS / North Suffolk Street
Turn left onto US 2 BUS / North Suffolk Street
Navigation decision point
6
400.2 mi into trip|~7h 52m 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
7
535.3 mi into trip|~10h 11m in|US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
7
580.7 mi into trip|~11h in|US 23 BUS
Take the exit onto US 23 BUS toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45
Toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor
7
582.3 mi into trip|~11h 1m in|US 23 BUS
Take the exit onto US 23 BUS toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$97.13 one way
$194.26 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg204 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$105.80
$211.60
premium
$5.18
$119.21
$238.42
diesel
$5.35
$123.05
$246.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$97
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$227–$337
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 204.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
175.3
2
$61.34
$28.04
Efficient EV
146.1
1
$51.12
$23.37
EV Truck/SUV
233.7
2
$81.79
$37.39
Gas CO2
204 kg
EV CO2
68 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Ironwood, MI
Afternoon
in Ironwood on Wednesday
Local time
2:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ann Arbor, MI
Afternoon
in Ann Arbor on Wednesday
Local time
3:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive 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.
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
7 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
11h 6m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coa...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
$25
near mile 201.4
Park Closure: Munising Falls Trail Closed Until Further Notice
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a drive that prioritizes local roads over high-speed highways, as indicated by the 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating through communities for the majority of the 584.2 miles, offering a more intimate connection with the landscape. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the absence of significant highway driving suggests a more varied pace, potentially with more turns and speed changes. The route begins with East Ayer Street, North Suffolk Street, and East Frederick Street, setting a local-road tone.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 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
At 11h 6m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 2 BUS / North Suffolk Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 584.2 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 0.1 miles (US 2 BUS / North Suffolk Street): Navigation decision point; at 400.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 535.3 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,588 ft594 ft
Total Climb
1,440 ft
Total Descent
2,066 ft
Highest Point
1,588 ft
~125.2 mi in
Elevation Range
994 ft
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 Ironwood, MI to Ann Arbor, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
The Gogebic Range is a historical iron mining area that comprises parts of Gogebic County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and Iron County, Wisconsin. The largest city in the area is Ironwood, Michigan, though there are several other smaller cities within the vicinity.
Top landmarks
•Ironwood City Hall — demolished city hall in Ironwood, Michigan, United States
•Ironwood Theatre — theater and former movie theater in Ironwood, Michigan, United States
Ann Arbor — often abbreviated as AA or A2 — is a picturesque city surrounding the University of Michigan. It has a strong bent toward the arts, and an attractive and pedestrian-friendly downtown. Visitors enjoy the city's wonderful sidewalk cafe dining, unique shops, lots of bookstores, and abundant cultural opportunities.
Ann Arbor is in Michigan 35 miles (56 km) north of the Ohio border and 45 miles (72 km) west of Detroit, near where the furthest exurban fringes give way to country and small towns. In 2019, the city had a population of about 120,000 people, and thousands of visitors come to town for football games and various festivals.
Top landmarks
•Detroit Observatory — astronomical observatory in Ann Arbor, United States of America
•Kelsey Museum of Archaeology — archaeology museum in Newberry Hall
•Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum — museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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 292 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 38 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 Ann Arbor, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 2 BUS / North Suffolk Street): Navigation decision point; at 400.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 535.3 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.1 hours each way, a round trip means 22.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ann Arbor, MI before the return drive.
