Origin
Saginaw, MI
Late night in Saginaw on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saginaw, MI to Southfield, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
88.3 mi
142 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saginaw, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Southfield, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Saginaw to Southfield is 88.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 45 minutes via I 75, with a fuel budget near $14 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Michigan, taking you from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a straightforward highway-focused trip, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major interstates. Consider this route if you're looking for a quick, efficient journey between these two Michigan cities. With a duration under two hours, it's perfect for a same-day trip with plenty of time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.1 miles from Saginaw, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 72.5 mi | 1h 17m |
| Southfield Road | 5.1 mi | 10m |
| Woodward Avenue | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| East Holland Avenue | 3 mi | 4m |
| I 75 BL | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| BL I 75 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Oakland Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Willits Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 72.5 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saginaw, MI and Southfield, MI.
1
Start on East Holland Avenue
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
East Holland Avenue
2
Enter roundabout
238 ft
·
13 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
3
Continue
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
4
Merge onto I 75; US 23
23 mi
·
24 min
·
I 75; US 23
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 75; US 23
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
38 mi
·
41 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto BL I 75
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
BL I 75
Exit 75
Toward I 75 Business
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 75 BL
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 75 BL
9
Turn right onto I 75 BL; US 24 BUS
119 ft
·
2 sec
·
Woodward Avenue
Use the right lane.
10
Turn slight left
410 ft
·
17 sec
11
Turn slight left onto I 75 BL; US 24 BUS
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Woodward Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Oakland Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
13
Keep slight left at fork onto Oakland Avenue
240 ft
·
12 sec
·
Oakland Avenue
14
Turn slight right onto Willits Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Willits Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto North Chester Street
326 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Chester Street
16
Turn right onto West Maple Road
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Maple Road
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto Southfield Road
5.1 mi
·
10 min
·
Southfield Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto West 10 Mile Road
192 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 10 Mile Road
19
Arrive at destination
West 10 Mile Road
Trip Plan
Given the short duration of 1 hour 45 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Plan to depart Saginaw mid-morning to avoid any potential rush hour congestion as you approach the Southfield area. You won't need extensive stops, but there's flexibility to pull over for a quick break if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $14, and it's always wise to fill up before hitting the road. A specific tip for this route: be aware that Woodward Avenue can have significant local traffic as you get closer to Southfield, so adjust your speed accordingly.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 44.1 miles from Saginaw, MI, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.5 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 19 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.1 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southfield, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saginaw, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Saginaw, MI
This is one driving day of about 88.3 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Saginaw, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 72.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.1 miles from Saginaw, 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 72.5 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 83.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
3 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Enter roundabout toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
6
37.4 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
75.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
BL I 75
Take the exit onto BL I 75 toward I 75 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 75
Toward I 75 Business
6
83 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
West Maple Road
Turn right onto West Maple Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
83.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
Southfield Road
Turn left onto Southfield Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.80 one way
$27.61 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.16 | $30.31 |
| premium | $4.89 | $16.99 | $33.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.50 | $38.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
| Efficient EV | 22.1 | 0 | $7.73 | $3.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.3 | 0 | $12.36 | $5.65 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Destination
Southfield, MI
Late night in Southfield on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°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
23 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
1h 45m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 85% of the route utilizing major interstate conditions. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 72.5 miles on I 75, which forms the backbone of this journey. Expect consistent speeds and a generally smooth experience for the majority of the drive. While the primary roads are interstates, the final portion involves exiting onto Southfield Road and Woodward Avenue, offering a slight shift in the driving environment as you approach your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and Southfield Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.3 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.7 miles (BL I 75): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 88.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Southfield, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 37.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 75.7 miles (BL I 75): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Southfield, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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