Strait to the Roots
Early in the drive, short detour
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12314366005
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 31m
Distance
356.2 mi
573 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McMillan, MI
fish socks
Clinton Township, MI
fish socks
McMillan to Clinton Township is 356.2 miles and takes about 6h 31m via I 75 and M 59, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, connecting the state's northern reaches to its southeastern corner. It's a primarily highway route, making it a straightforward option for a single-day drive. Expect a consistent pace for most of the 6.5-hour travel time, with a straightforward approach to your destination.
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
178.1 miles from McMillan, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 266 mi | 4h 35m |
| Lake Michigan Scenic Highway | 44.4 mi | 51m |
| M 59 | 16 mi | 20m |
| M 117 | 14.5 mi | 21m |
| Main Street | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| US 2 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Cass Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Romeo Plank Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between McMillan, MI and Clinton Township, MI.
Start on M 28
Turn right onto M 117
At end of road, turn left onto US 2
Continue on US 2
Continue on US 2
Take the exit
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
Merge onto M 59
Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
Continue on Romeo Plank Road
Enter roundabout onto Cass Avenue
Continue on Cass Avenue
Turn right onto Moravian Drive
Turn right onto White Oaks Drive
Turn right onto Red Oaks Drive
Arrive at destination
Given the 6.5-hour duration, leaving in the morning is your best bet to arrive with plenty of daylight. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover significant ground quickly. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and refuel; the longest stretch without major changes is 266 miles on I 75. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you get closer to the metro area, where stations might be more spread out between exits. The $56 fuel estimate should be a good baseline for your budgeting.
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.
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 78 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.1 miles or 3h 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 5h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton Township, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving McMillan, 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 McMillan, MI
This is one driving day of about 356.2 miles and 6h 31m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
178 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 178.1 miles from McMillan, 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 266 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 · early in the drive
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Early in the drive, short detour
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12314366005
Wildwood Coffee Co.
Indian River, Michigan
Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.
Grand Blanc, Michigan
Early in the drive, short detour
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12314366005
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Indian River, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+12312382321
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Grand Blanc, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+18104984909
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Clinton Township, Michigan
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
West Branch, Michigan
Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm
+19893453006
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Sterling Heights, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–2 pm
+15868385353
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Mackinaw City, Michigan
+12312034333
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Naubinway, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19064776298
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Mackinaw City, Michigan
+12314364100
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
Early in the drive, short detour
Indian River, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–9 pm
+12312389392
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Mackinaw City, Michigan
+12314365534
Early in the drive, short detour
Mackinaw City, Michigan
+12314365860
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
University Center, Michigan
Hours: 11 am–5 pm
+19899647125
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 163.8 and 354.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward M 59 East: Utica
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Moravian Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$55.69 one way
$111.38 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $61.14 | $122.29 |
| premium | $4.89 | $68.55 | $137.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $78.64 | $157.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 106.9 | 1 | $37.40 | $17.10 |
| Efficient EV | 89.1 | 1 | $31.17 | $14.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.5 | 1 | $49.87 | $22.80 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in McMillan on Tuesday
Local time
9:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Clinton Township on Tuesday
Local time
9:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
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
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.
This drive is mostly highway, with 76% of the 356.2 miles spent on freeways like I 75. You'll experience a long stretch of 266 miles on I 75 before transitioning to surface roads. As you approach Clinton Township, expect an increase in exit density as you get closer to the Detroit metropolitan area.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Lake Michigan Scenic Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 163.8 miles in near I 75.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 356.2 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 163.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 298.9 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 335.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between McMillan, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward Detroit and M 59 East: Utica.
Detroit
M 59 East: Utica
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 31m. Total distance: 356.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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