Origin
Lowell, MI
Late night in Lowell on Tuesday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lowell, MI to Macomb, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 50m
Distance
144 mi
232 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 39m
★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lowell, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 144-mile drive from Lowell to Macomb, Michigan, can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 50 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 81% of the journey on major interstates, including I-69, I-75, and I-96. You'll spend an estimated $23 on fuel for this straightforward journey. Since it’s a relatively short drive with minimal stops recommended, you'll have plenty of flexibility in your timing. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so expect a familiar landscape throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
72 miles from Lowell, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69 | 51.5 mi | 52m |
| I 75 | 34.7 mi | 37m |
| I 96 | 29.5 mi | 31m |
| 25 Mile Road | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Tienken Road | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| Grand River Avenue | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West Tienken Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Oberley Drive Southeast | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 69
— 51.5 mi, about 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lowell, MI and Macomb, MI.
1
Start on M 21
23 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Turn right onto South Hudson Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Hudson Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto Grand River Drive Southeast
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
Grand River Drive Southeast
4
Continue on Oberley Drive Southeast
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Oberley Drive Southeast
5
Continue on Montcalm Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Montcalm Avenue Southeast
6
Turn straight onto Montcalm Ware Cutoff
465 ft
·
7 sec
·
Montcalm Ware Cutoff
7
Continue on Ware Road
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Ware Road
8
Turn slight right onto Conklin Ware Cutoff
461 ft
·
7 sec
·
Conklin Ware Cutoff
9
Continue on Conklin Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Conklin Road
10
Turn slight left
400 ft
·
6 sec
11
Continue on Peck Lake Road
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
Peck Lake Road
12
Turn slight right onto Hastings Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Hastings Road
13
Turn left onto Grand River Avenue
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Grand River Avenue
14
Turn right onto Nash Highway
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Nash Highway
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
16
Merge onto I 96
29 mi
·
31 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
2.5 mi
·
2 min
Exit 89
Toward I 69 East: Flint
18
Merge onto I 69
52 mi
·
52 min
·
I 69
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
21
Merge onto I 75; US 23
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 75; US 23
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
33 mi
·
35 min
·
I 75
23
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 81
Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 75 BL
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 75 BL
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
I 75 BL
Toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac
26
Turn left
88 ft
·
3 sec
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left
154 ft
·
7 sec
28
Continue on Shimmons Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Shimmons Road
29
At end of road, turn left onto Shimmons Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Shimmons Road
30
At end of road, turn left onto North Squirrel Road
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
North Squirrel Road
31
Turn right onto Tienken Road
3.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Tienken Road
Use the right lane.
32
Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road
128 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Tienken Road
33
Continue on West Tienken Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Tienken Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
34
Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road
159 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Tienken Road
35
Continue on East Tienken Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Tienken Road
36
Enter roundabout onto Runyon Road
150 ft
·
3 sec
·
Runyon Road
37
Continue on Runyon Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Runyon Road
38
Continue on 25 Mile Road
6.0 mi
·
9 min
·
25 Mile Road
39
Enter roundabout onto 25 Mile Road
150 ft
·
4 sec
·
25 Mile Road
40
Continue on 25 Mile Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
25 Mile Road
41
Enter roundabout
270 ft
·
7 sec
42
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour, 50-minute duration and 144-mile distance, this trip is ideal for a single day. Aim for an early morning departure to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach the Detroit metropolitan area. With only one stop suggested, you can easily break up the drive when needed, perhaps after the 51.5-mile stretch on I-69. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and plan your refueling stops accordingly to ensure a smooth arrival in Macomb.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72 miles from Lowell, MI, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.5 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 32 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macomb, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lowell, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lowell, MI
This is one driving day of about 144 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Lowell, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 69 for about 51.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72 miles from Lowell, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 130.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Hudson Street
Turn right onto South Hudson Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
92.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
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 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
6
92.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
8
127.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 81
Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
6
130.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 26m in
|
Tienken Road
Turn right onto Tienken Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.51 one way
$45.03 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $24.72 | $49.44 |
| premium | $4.89 | $27.71 | $55.42 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.79 | $63.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.12 | $6.91 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.60 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.16 | $9.22 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Macomb, MI
Late night in Macomb on Tuesday
Local time
5:15 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°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
19 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
2h 50m 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 the majority of this 144-mile trip, with 81% of the drive utilizing interstates. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 51.5 miles on I-69, offering a consistent pace. The route is designed for efficiency rather than scenic detours, so settle in for a steady progression. While the specific transitions between I-69, I-75, and I-96 are seamless, the character remains primarily that of an interstate cruise.
81% 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: 51.5 mi on I 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Hudson Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 144 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: near the start (South Hudson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Between Lowell, MI and Macomb, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M 24: Pontiac and Lapeer.
Detroit
92.4 mi in
|
~1h 40m
M 24: Pontiac
127.8 mi in
|
~2h 19m
Lapeer
127.8 mi in
|
~2h 19m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 144 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.5 miles on I 69. 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 Macomb, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Hudson Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 92.7 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 Macomb, 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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