Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
29m
Distance
18 mi
29 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manistee, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Chief Lake, MI
Enric Cruz López
Manistee to Chief Lake is 18 miles and takes about 29 minutes via Chippewa Highway, Nine Mile Road, and West Parkdale Avenue, with a fuel budget near $3 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This short journey stays within Michigan, offering a straightforward drive that's perfect for a quick trip. You'll be navigating local roads for the entire duration, so don't expect any highway driving on this particular route. Given its brief length, it's an ideal option if you're looking for a simple, uncomplicated drive between two points in the Midwest.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Chippewa Highway | 8.8 mi | 11m |
| Nine Mile Road | 3 mi | 5m |
| West Parkdale Avenue | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Chief Road | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Arthur Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Parkdale Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Cleveland Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Maple Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Manistee, MI and Chief Lake, MI.
Start on this road
Turn left onto Maple Street
Continue on Washington Street
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
Turn left onto US 31
Continue on US 31
Continue on US 31
Continue on US 31
Continue on US 31
Enter roundabout onto US 31
Continue on US 31
Turn right onto CR 598
Turn right onto Chief Road
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 13.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Maple Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 31 / Cleveland Street
Navigation decision point
Enter roundabout onto US 31 / Chippewa Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto CR 598 / Nine Mile Road
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$2.99 one way
$5.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $3.26 | $6.52 |
| premium | $5.18 | $3.67 | $7.35 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $3.79 | $7.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.4 | 0 | $1.89 | $0.86 |
| Efficient EV | 4.5 | 0 | $1.58 | $0.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.52 | $1.15 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Manistee on Wednesday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 7:26AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Afternoon in Chief Lake on Wednesday
Local time
4:49 PM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 31 at 7:26AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
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
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.
This route is characterized by its frequent turns, making it a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed highway experience. With a highway share of 0%, you'll be on local roads for the entire 18 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 8.8 miles along Chippewa Highway. Expect a driving experience that requires your attention due to the numerous turns, typical of navigating through local communities and backroads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Maple Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 29m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Maple Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Memorial Drive): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (US 31 / Cleveland Street): Navigation decision point.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
274 ft
Total Descent
162 ft
Highest Point
806 ft
~7.7 mi in
Elevation Range
207 ft
Founded 1841
Manistee is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northwestern lower peninsula of Michigan, about 65 miles south of Traverse City. Manistee offers small town charm with beautiful beaches, great fishing, and the Manistee National Forest. For vacationers Manistee has a lot to offer but it may be more notable for what it doesn't: large crowds, high prices, heavy traffic and tacky tourist traps.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 29m. Total distance: 18 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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