This 386-mile journey from Ishpeming, MI to Troy, MI will take approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes of driving time, making it a feasible day trip. You'll be navigating primarily local roads, with a 0% highway share, suggesting a more turn-heavy and potentially slower pace. Budget around $59 for fuel for this drive. The route stays within the Midwest region, traversing Michigan throughout. With just one recommended stop, you can plan to complete this drive in a single day, experiencing a more intimate connection with the landscape as you go.
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
191.9 miles from Ishpeming, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
94.1 mi
1h 37m
M-28
70.9 mi
1h 24m
US 2
65.1 mi
1h 15m
US 131
26.5 mi
26m
US 127
18.3 mi
18m
East Houghton Lake Road
17.9 mi
24m
M 77
17.3 mi
20m
US 10
16 mi
22m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 94.1 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~672 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,490
Quietest
2 AM
~18 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
37.3×
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 Ishpeming, MI and Troy, MI.
1
Start on South 1st Street
15 ft·2 sec·South 1st Street
2
Turn right onto M 28 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·East Division Street
3
Continue on M 28 BUS
1.1 mi·1 min·County Road
4
Turn slight left onto M 28 BUS
0.3 mi·34 sec·Silver Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto M 28 BUS
0.1 mi·14 sec·Jackson Street
6
Turn right onto South Pioneer Avenue
503 ft·14 sec·South Pioneer Avenue
7
Turn left onto Rail Street
0.4 mi·32 sec·Rail Street
8
Continue on CR 480
13 mi·18 min·County Road 480
9
Turn left onto CR 551
1.8 mi·2 min·Cherry Creek Road
10
Continue on M 28
36 mi·42 min·M-28
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on M 28
2.2 mi·4 min·West Munising Avenue
12
Continue on M 28
0.2 mi·22 sec·Cedar Street
13
Continue on M 28
35 mi·41 min·M-28
14
Turn sharp right onto M 77
17 mi·20 min·M 77
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 2
65 mi·1 hr 15 min·US 2
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
17
Merge onto I 75
94 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 75
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 127
18 mi·18 min·US 127
Exit 249Toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward M 55 West: Cadillac
20
Turn right onto West Lake City Road
2.2 mi·3 min·West Lake City Road
21
Continue on M 55
18 mi·24 min·East Houghton Lake Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto M 66; M 55
0.5 mi·46 sec·Main Street
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on M 66; M 55
0.7 mi·1 min·Lake Shore
24
Continue on M 66; M 55
0.1 mi·11 sec·South Shore Drive
25
Continue on M 66; M 55
0.2 mi·19 sec·Lakeshore Drive
26
Continue on M 66; M 55
3.5 mi·4 min·South Morey Road
27
Turn right onto M 55
1.5 mi·2 min·West Blue Road
28
Continue on M 55
4.6 mi·6 min·Watergate Road
29
Continue on M 55
1.9 mi·2 min·East M-55 Highway
30
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
31
Merge onto US 131; M 55
26 mi·26 min·US 131; M 55
32
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 10
33
Turn right onto US 10
16 mi·22 min·US 10
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 10
0.1 mi·19 sec·East Washington
35
Turn left onto M 37
0.3 mi·37 sec·South M 37
36
Continue on M 37
0.6 mi·1 min·Michigan Avenue
37
Continue on M 37
5.2 mi·7 min·South M 37
38
Continue on M 37
3.0 mi·4 min·North Woodbridge Avenue
39
Turn right onto West 15 Mile Road
0.5 mi·1 min·West 15 Mile Road
40
Continue on North Bingham Avenue
1.6 mi·3 min·North Bingham Avenue
41
Turn right onto West Main Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·West Main Street
42
Continue on North Cleveland Drive
3.6 mi·8 min·North Cleveland Drive
43
Continue on West 13 Mile Road
5.1 mi·12 min·West 13 Mile Road
44
Turn right onto North Dickinson Avenue
133 ft·3 sec·North Dickinson Avenue
45
Arrive at destination
North Dickinson Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 20-minute duration, consider an early morning departure from Ishpeming to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace on this turn-heavy local drive. While the drive is manageable in one day with just one recommended stop, be mindful of the local road nature; you'll encounter more opportunities for quick breaks in small towns along the way. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the 0% highway share might mean fewer readily available gas stations compared to interstate travel. The estimated fuel cost is $59, so factor that into your budget.
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 191.9 miles from Ishpeming, MI, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 94.1 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 84 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.9 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Troy, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ishpeming, 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 Ishpeming, MI
This is one driving day of about 383.8 miles and 7h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Ishpeming, 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 94.1 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 306.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3 mi into trip|~5m in|M 28 BUS / Jackson Street
At end of road, turn right onto M 28 BUS / Jackson Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
91.1 mi into trip|~1h 57m in|M 77
Turn sharp right onto M 77
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
5
108.5 mi into trip|~2h 17m in|US 2
At end of road, turn left onto US 2
Navigation decision point
7
268 mi into trip|~5h 11m in|US 127
Keep slight right at fork onto US 127 toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 249
Toward US 127: Clare, Lansing
6
306.8 mi into trip|~5h 58m in|M 66; M 55 / Main Street
Turn left onto M 66; M 55 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.68 one way
$113.36 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$62.57
$125.14
premium
$4.72
$71.26
$142.52
diesel
$4.80
$72.47
$144.94
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.1
1
$40.30
$18.42
Efficient EV
96
1
$33.58
$15.35
EV Truck/SUV
153.5
1
$53.73
$24.56
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Ishpeming, MI
Morning
in Ishpeming on Sunday
Local time
11:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Smoke
S 0 to 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Troy, MI
Morning
in Troy on Sunday
Local time
11:23 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Smoke
E 3 mph2% 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.
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
6 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 47m 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.
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
~40 min detour
$25
near mile 79.4
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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 386-mile route, as it features a 0% highway share. This means you'll be on roads like East Division Street, County Road, and Silver Street for the majority of your travel. Without extended highway stretches, you'll likely experience more frequent changes in scenery and speed as you pass through various communities. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile indicates a consistently engaging, rather than monotonous, experience behind the wheel.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 94.1 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near M 28 BUS / Jackson Street.
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 23 significant decision points across 383.8 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 3 miles (M 28 BUS / Jackson Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 91.1 miles (M 77): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 108.5 miles (US 2): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,413 ft588 ft
Total Climb
925 ft
Total Descent
1,513 ft
Highest Point
1,413 ft
Elevation Range
825 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ishpeming, MI and Troy, MI, road signs point toward Lansing and M 55 West: Cadillac.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 47m. Total distance: 383.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 94.1 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 Troy, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (M 28 BUS / Jackson Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 91.1 miles (M 77): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 108.5 miles (US 2): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Troy, MI before the return drive.
