This straightforward 150.8-mile drive from Norton Shores to Flint, Michigan, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-96 and I-69, this route is a highway-focused experience that should cost around $23 in fuel. Given its relatively short distance and direct path, it's a practical option for a quick journey within the Midwest. You'll spend most of your time on well-maintained interstates, making it a predictable and efficient way to get from point A to point B. Plan for just one recommended stop to break up the drive.
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
75.4 miles from Norton Shores, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Randall Road
—
—
Wellesley Drive
—
—
Airport Road
—
—
Grand Haven Road
—
—
I 69 East
—
—
Saginaw Street
—
—
South Grand Traverse Street
—
—
West Fifth Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Randall Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Norton Shores, MI and Flint, MI.
1
Start on Henry Street
0.3 mi·40 sec·Henry Street
2
Turn right onto Randall Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Randall Road
3
Turn left onto Wellesley Drive
0.9 mi·1 min·Wellesley Drive
4
Continue on Airport Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Airport Road
5
Turn left onto Grand Haven Road
0.2 mi·25 sec·Grand Haven Road
6
Take the ramp straight toward Grand Haven Road
194 ft·5 sec·Grand Haven Road
7
Turn sharp right
0.6 mi·42 sec
8
Continue straight
89 mi·1 hr 35 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 East: Flint
2.5 mi·2 min·I 69 East: Flint
10
Merge slight left
55 mi·56 min
11
Take the exit slight right toward Saginaw Street, Downtown
0.2 mi·36 sec·Saginaw Street, Downtown
12
Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street
0.3 mi·37 sec·South Grand Traverse Street
13
Turn right onto West Fifth Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·West Fifth Street
14
Turn left onto Harrison Street
381 ft·21 sec·Harrison Street
15
Turn left onto East Court Street
236 ft·9 sec·East Court Street
16
Turn left
69 ft·7 sec
17
Turn right
92 ft·7 sec
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 44-minute drive, starting your journey in the morning will give you ample flexibility to reach Flint without feeling rushed. With only 150.8 miles to cover and a fuel cost estimate of $23, you can easily complete this trip in one go. While the longest stretch is about 89 miles, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 88.9-mile segment on I-96, to ensure you have enough to reach your destination comfortably.
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 75.4 miles from Norton Shores, MI, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75.4 miles or 1h 22m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Flint, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Norton Shores, 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 Norton Shores, MI
This is one driving day of about 150.8 miles and 2h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Norton Shores, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.58 one way
$47.15 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg53 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$25.89
$51.77
premium
$4.89
$29.02
$58.04
diesel
$5.61
$33.29
$66.59
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
45.2
0
$15.83
$7.24
Efficient EV
37.7
0
$13.20
$6.03
EV Truck/SUV
60.3
0
$21.11
$9.65
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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Norton Shores, MI
Late night
in Norton Shores on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Flint, MI
Late night
in Flint on Sunday
Local time
5:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
2 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 44m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 96% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-96 and I-69. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 88.9 miles on I-96, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While not characterized by winding backroads, the transition between I-96 and I-69, along with the final approach on Randall Road, offers a slight shift in the driving environment. This journey is about covering ground efficiently rather than seeking out winding scenic byways.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Randall Road.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Norton Shores, MI to Flint, MI is easy. At 2h 44m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Norton Shores, MI to Flint, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
871 ft612 ft
Total Climb
302 ft
Total Descent
161 ft
Highest Point
871 ft
~118.5 mi in
Elevation Range
259 ft
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 44m. Total distance: 150.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Norton Shores, MI to Flint, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Flint, MI before heading back.
