This 338.6-mile drive from Sault Ste. Marie, MI, to Clinton Township, MI, is designed for a single day, clocking in at just under 6 hours of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-75, the route is heavily highway-focused, making it a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $53, it's an economical option for a day trip. You'll spend the majority of your time on the interstate, so pack some podcasts or audiobooks. This efficient route is perfect if you're looking to cover ground quickly between these two Michigan 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
169.3 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
316.4 mi
5h 25m
M 59
16 mi
20m
Cass Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Romeo Plank Road
1.2 mi
1m
Moravian Drive
1.2 mi
2m
East Easterday Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Bingham Avenue
0.3 mi
1m
White Oaks Drive
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 316.4 mi, about 5h 25m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,684 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,462
Quietest
2 AM
~80 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Clinton Township, MI.
1
Start on Dawson Street
288 ft·17 sec·Dawson Street
2
Turn left onto Bingham Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Bingham Avenue
3
Turn right onto East Easterday Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·East Easterday Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 75
144 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 75
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
37 mi·39 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·47 sec
Exit 77AToward M 59 East: UticaUse the right lane.
10
Merge onto M 59
16 mi·20 min·M 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Romeo Plank Road
Use the right lane.
12
Enter roundabout onto Romeo Plank Road
112 ft·2 sec·Romeo Plank Road
13
Continue on Romeo Plank Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Romeo Plank Road
14
Enter roundabout onto Cass Avenue
123 ft·2 sec·Cass Avenue
15
Continue on Cass Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Cass Avenue
16
Turn right onto Moravian Drive
1.2 mi·2 min·Moravian Drive
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto White Oaks Drive
0.2 mi·52 sec·White Oaks Drive
18
Turn right onto Red Oaks Drive
289 ft·12 sec·Red Oaks Drive
19
Arrive at destination
Red Oaks Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 59-minute estimated duration, starting your drive from Sault Ste. Marie early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion as you near Clinton Township. While the route is manageable in one day, plan for one brief stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially since the longest stretch on I-75 is over 300 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $53 estimated cost suggests a continuous journey with minimal detours. The final legs on M-59 and Cass Avenue will signal your approach, so be prepared for a slight shift in traffic patterns.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.3 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, MI, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 316.4 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 74 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.3 miles or 2h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton Township, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sault Ste. Marie, 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI
This is one driving day of about 338.6 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Sault Ste. Marie, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 316.4 miles.
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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 334.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
146.2 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 75
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
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
6
281.3 mi into trip|~4h 50m 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
318.1 mi into trip|~5h 30m in
Take the exit toward M 59 East: Utica
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 77A
Toward M 59 East: Utica
6
334.4 mi into trip|~5h 51m in|Romeo Plank Road
Turn right onto Romeo Plank Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.00 one way
$100.01 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$55.20
$110.40
premium
$4.72
$62.87
$125.74
diesel
$4.80
$63.93
$127.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.6
1
$35.55
$16.25
Efficient EV
84.7
0
$29.63
$13.54
EV Truck/SUV
135.4
1
$47.40
$21.67
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Morning
in Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday
Local time
10:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Smoke
SE 5 to 10 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:42AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 5:18AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Destination
Clinton Township, MI
Morning
in Clinton Township on Sunday
Local time
10:11 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Smoke
SSE 2 to 9 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:42AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 5:18AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
83°F
Edenville, MI
169 mi in
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
16 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
5h 59m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for 93% of this 338.6-mile trip, predominantly on I-75. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 316.4 miles on this main interstate, meaning extended periods of consistent speed. While I-75 forms the backbone, you'll eventually transition to M-59 and Cass Avenue as you approach your destination, introducing a slight change in pace. This route is less about winding country roads and more about efficient travel across the state.
93% 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: 316.4 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and M 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
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 338.6 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 146.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,390 ft586 ft
Total Climb
1,207 ft
Total Descent
1,212 ft
Highest Point
1,390 ft
~120.9 mi in
Elevation Range
804 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward Detroit and M 59 East: Utica.
Sault Ste Marie (pronounced Soo-Saint-Marie) or (the Soo as called by the locals) is a city of 14,000 people (2010) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, across the river from the twin city of Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario in Canada.
Top landmarks
•Soo Locks — dam in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa County, United States of America
•SS Valley Camp — lake freighter built in 1917
•Chippewa County Courthouse — county courthouse in Sault Ste. Marie, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 338.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 316.4 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 31 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Clinton Township, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 146.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 281.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clinton Township, MI before the return drive.
