Waters End Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Gaylord, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 24m
Distance
239 mi
385 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Macomb, MI
fish socks
Trowbridge, MI
Mike Bird
Macomb, MI to Trowbridge, MI is 239 miles and takes about 4h 24m via I 75, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, primarily in Michigan. You'll be on highways for most of the drive, making for a straightforward trip. With a recommended single day of travel, this route is well-suited for a quick getaway or a direct transfer between locations.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.5 miles from Macomb, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 216.3 mi | 3h 42m |
| 25 Mile Road | 6.9 mi | 10m |
| Trowbridge Road | 3.1 mi | 7m |
| Dutton Road | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| East Tienken Road | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| Brown Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Tienken Road | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| North Adams Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 82 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,982 veh/hr typical · worst 3,075
Quietest
2 AM
~86 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
23×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Macomb, MI and Trowbridge, MI.
Start on this road
Continue on 25 Mile Road
Enter roundabout onto 25 Mile Road
Continue on 25 Mile Road
Continue on Runyon Road
Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road
Continue on East Tienken Road
Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road
Continue on East Tienken Road
Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road
Continue on West Tienken Road
Turn right onto North Adams Road
Turn left onto Dutton Road
Continue on Brown Road
Continue on Brown Road
Turn slight left
Turn straight onto Joslyn Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Turn left onto C-58
Continue on C-58
Turn left onto Ballard Street
Turn left onto Trowbridge Road
Turn left onto Lance Lake Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 4h 24m estimated drive time, departing in the morning will allow you to complete the 239-mile trip to Trowbridge with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is primarily highway, so plan for a single stop if needed, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $38, it's wise to ensure you have a full tank before departing Macomb. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 200 miles, so be prepared for sustained highway cruising.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 53 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.5 miles or 2h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Trowbridge, MI than in the middle of the route.
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 239 miles and 4h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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.
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 119.5 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 216.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best coffee break · home stretch
Gaylord, Michigan
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
Our Town Coffee & Treats
Grayling, Michigan
Near the end, right off the route
Gaylord, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Grayling, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+19892178099
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Swartz Creek, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+18106359196
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Holly, Michigan
Hours: 8 AM–4 PM
+12483825307
Visit websiteNear the start, ~10 min detour
Holly, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+12482450512
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Flint, Michigan
Hours: 12–8 pm
+18104078972
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Flint, Michigan
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18107675437
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~10 min detour
Flint, Michigan
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18102373450
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Saginaw, Michigan
Hours: 12–11 pm
+19897936300
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Saginaw, Michigan
Hours: 4–8 pm
+19895960022
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Bay City, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19896843020
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Shelby Township, Michigan
+15867310300
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.4 and 18 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto North Adams Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Dutton Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 75 North
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$39.87 one way
$79.74 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.61 | $43.33 | $86.66 |
| premium | $5.26 | $49.48 | $98.97 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $58.14 | $116.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.10 | $11.47 |
| Efficient EV | 59.8 | 0 | $20.91 | $9.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.46 | $15.30 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Macomb on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
Destination
Morning in Trowbridge on Tuesday
Local time
7:41 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route features a high proportion of highway driving, with 90% of the trip on major roads like I 75. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 216.3 miles on I 75 before transitioning to surface roads like 25 Mile Road and Trowbridge Road. Expect to encounter numerous exits and interchanges along the primary highway segment.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and 25 Mile Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.4 miles in near East Tienken Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 239 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 8.4 miles (East Tienken Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 10 miles (West Tienken Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 12.1 miles (North Adams Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,322 ft
Total Descent
1,117 ft
Highest Point
1,379 ft
~153.7 mi in
Elevation Range
772 ft
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 239 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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