Battle Creek Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Macomb, MI to Climax, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 56m
Distance
151.9 mi
244 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 45m
★
6 AM
2h 56m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 5m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Macomb, MI
fish socks
Climax, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
This 151.9-mile drive from Macomb, MI to Climax, MI will take you approximately 2 hours and 56 minutes. It's a manageable distance, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. With an estimated fuel cost of $24, this highway-focused route primarily utilizes I 94 and M 14, offering a straightforward journey through the Midwest. You'll find that the majority of the travel, about 68% of the total mileage, is on higher-speed roads, so plan accordingly for your stops. This trip is designed for efficiency and getting you to your destination with minimal fuss.
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
75.9 miles from Macomb, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 78.4 mi | 1h 24m |
| M 14 | 21.9 mi | 23m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 20 mi | 21m |
| Mound Road | 7.3 mi | 11m |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| Christopher Columbus Freeway | 5 mi | 5m |
| 23 Mile Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| Mercury Drive | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 78.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Traffic on I-94
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,631 veh/hr typical · worst 2,086
Quietest
2 AM
~169 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.7×
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 Macomb, MI and Climax, MI.
1
Start on this road
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
this road
2
Continue on Garfield Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Garfield Road
3
Turn right onto 23 Mile Road
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
23 Mile Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
Toward M 53 South: Detroit
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto M 53
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Christopher Columbus Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 15
Toward Van Dyke Road North, 18 ½ Mile Road West
Use the slight right lane.
7
Enter roundabout onto 18 1/2 Mile Road
184 ft
·
7 sec
·
18 1/2 Mile Road
8
Continue on 18 1/2 Mile Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
18 1/2 Mile Road
9
Turn straight onto Mound Road
7.1 mi
·
11 min
·
Mound Road
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto Mound Road
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Mound Road
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
12
Keep slight right at fork onto Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
Toward I 696 West: Lansing
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 696
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
17
Merge onto I 275; I 96
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Use the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto M 14
17 mi
·
17 min
·
M 14
20
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
M 14
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 94
78 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 92
Toward M-37: Climax, Augusta
23
Turn left onto I 94 BL; M 37
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Columbia Avenue
24
Continue on Mercury Drive
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Mercury Drive
25
Continue on East M N Avenue
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East M N Avenue
26
Turn left onto South 44th Street
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
South 44th Street
27
Continue on North Main Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
28
Turn left onto East Maple Street
237 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Maple Street
29
Arrive at destination
East Maple Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 56 minute duration, this route is best tackled as a single-day adventure. Aim to depart Macomb in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially on the interstate sections. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch without exiting is 78.4 miles on I 94, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Climax, as services can be more spaced out outside of major highway corridors. This trip is about covering ground efficiently, so plan your breaks around your own comfort level.
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 75.9 miles from Macomb, MI, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.4 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 33 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.9 miles or 1h 32m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Climax, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Macomb, 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 Macomb, MI
This is one driving day of about 151.9 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Macomb, 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 94 for about 78.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
76 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75.9 miles from Macomb, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.4 miles.
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.
Grass Lake Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sandstone Rest Area 819
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Chelsea Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Marshall Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2 mi from route
Turkeyville Rest Area 722
2.2 mi from route
Northfield Church Rest Area 814
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 64.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward M 53 South: Detroit
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward M 53 South: Detroit
8
10.2 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward Van Dyke Road North, 18 ½ Mile Road West
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 15
Toward Van Dyke Road North, 18 ½ Mile Road West
7
19.2 mi into trip
|
~28m in
|
Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
Keep slight right at fork onto Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West toward I 696 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 696 West: Lansing
8
39.6 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
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 1
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
8
64.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.25 one way
$50.51 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $27.51 | $55.02 |
| premium | $5.18 | $31.00 | $61.99 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $31.99 | $63.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45.6 | 0 | $15.95 | $7.29 |
| Efficient EV | 38 | 0 | $13.29 | $6.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.27 | $9.72 |
Gas CO2
53 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Origin
Macomb, MI
Afternoon in Macomb on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
N 1 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Climax, MI
Afternoon in Climax on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
NNE 2 mph
0% chance
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
1 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 56m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 drive for most of this 151.9-mile journey, with 68% of the route utilizing interstates. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 94, including a long stretch of 78.4 miles without needing to exit. This means you'll experience consistent speeds and a generally uninterrupted flow of traffic for large segments. While the main roads are primarily high-speed freeways like I 94 and the Walter P Reuther Freeway, there will be transitions onto other state highways as you get closer to your destination. The overall character is one of moving efficiently across the landscape.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.4 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and M 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 151.9 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 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles (Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
998 ft
610 ft
Total Climb
461 ft
Total Descent
122 ft
Highest Point
998 ft
~119.3 mi in
Elevation Range
388 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.
Between Macomb, MI and Climax, MI, road signs point toward Van Dyke Road North, 18 ½ Mile Road West, Port Huron, Toledo and M 14: Ann Arbor.
Van Dyke Road North
10.2 mi in
|
~13m
18 ½ Mile Road West
10.2 mi in
|
~13m
Port Huron
19 mi in
|
~28m
Toledo
40.9 mi in
|
~53m
M 14: Ann Arbor
47 mi in
|
~1h
About the Cities
Starting in Macomb, MI
Full guide →Arriving in Climax, MI
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 151.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.4 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Climax, 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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 10.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.2 miles (Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Climax, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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