Taylor, MI to Long Lake, MI is 192.3 miles and takes about 3h 40m via US 23 and I-75, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. Most of your drive will be on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this is a solid option for a single-day excursion.
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
96.2 miles from Taylor, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 23
79.3 mi
1h 25m
I 275
29.2 mi
31m
I 75
26.6 mi
26m
State Highway 65
9.5 mi
11m
West Huron Road
6.3 mi
8m
I 96
6 mi
6m
Detroit Industrial Expressway
5.4 mi
5m
M 65
4.4 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 79.3 mi, about 1h 25m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,286 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,806
Quietest
2 AM
~106 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Taylor, MI and Long Lake, MI.
1
Start on Wick Road
1.0 mi·2 min·Wick Road
2
Turn right onto South Beech Daly Road
1.0 mi·1 min·South Beech Daly Road
3
Turn left onto Ecorse Road
0.5 mi·49 sec·Ecorse Road
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
5
Merge onto I 94
5.4 mi·5 min·Detroit Industrial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 194A-BToward I 275: Toledo, FlintUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Exit 194BToward I 275 North: FlintUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 275
29 mi·31 min·I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 96
6.0 mi·6 min·I 96
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·11 sec
Exit 148A; 147; 147BToward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, FlintUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·54 sec
Exit 148BToward US 23 North: FlintUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 23
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·US 23
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
27 mi·26 min·I 75; US 23
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
15
Turn right onto M 61
2.1 mi·3 min·M-61
16
Continue on M 61
0.6 mi·1 min·West Cedar Street
17
Turn left onto US 23
0.5 mi·1 min·North Main Street
18
Continue on US 23
6.3 mi·8 min·West Huron Road
19
Continue on US 23
0.6 mi·1 min·West Center Road
20
Continue on US 23
2.0 mi·2 min·East Huron Road
21
Turn left onto M 65
4.0 mi·4 min·North Hale Road
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on M 65
1.1 mi·1 min·State Street
23
Continue on M 65
2.9 mi·3 min·Hale Road
24
Continue on M 65
4.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 65
25
Continue on M 65
1.0 mi·1 min·South Bullock Street
26
Continue on M 65
4.5 mi·5 min·State Highway 65
27
Continue on M 65
4.4 mi·5 min·M 65
28
Continue on M 65
0.5 mi·56 sec·State Highway 65
29
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.3 mi·35 sec·West Main Street
30
Continue on West Esmond Road
0.6 mi·1 min·West Esmond Road
31
Turn right onto Putnam Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Putnam Road
32
Keep slight left at fork onto West Webb
0.9 mi·1 min·West Webb
33
Continue on Long Lake Road
0.5 mi·50 sec·Long Lake Road
34
Continue on Wilson Creek
0.4 mi·46 sec·Wilson Creek
35
Continue on North Wilson Creek Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·North Wilson Creek Road
36
Continue on Long Lake Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Long Lake Road
37
Arrive at destination
Long Lake Road
Trip Plan
For this 3h 40m drive, consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day, especially since it's well within a single-day trip. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can be flexible with your timing and pull over when needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $29 for the 192.3 miles. Pay attention to the transition from interstate to US 23, as this will be your longest continuous stretch of driving before reaching Long Lake.
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 96.2 miles from Taylor, MI, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.3 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 42 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.2 miles or 1h 47m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Long Lake, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Taylor, 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 Taylor, MI
This is one driving day of about 192.3 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Taylor, 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 US 23 for about 79.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 44.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip|~4m in|Ecorse Road
Turn left onto Ecorse Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
8.1 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 275: Toledo, Flint
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 194A-B
Toward I 275: Toledo, Flint
8
8.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 275 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 194B
Toward I 275 North: Flint
8
44.4 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 148A; 147; 147B
Toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spe...
8
44.6 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 148B
Toward US 23 North: Flint
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.81 one way
$59.63 round trip
$3.94/gal25.4 MPG avg67 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.32
$32.69
$65.38
premium
$4.93
$37.31
$74.62
diesel
$5.60
$42.39
$84.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
57.7
0
$20.19
$9.23
Efficient EV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
EV Truck/SUV
76.9
0
$26.92
$12.31
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
22 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Aug 16, 2026
Origin
Taylor, MI
Evening
in Taylor on Saturday
Local time
8:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 3 to 10 mph77% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 16 at 3:54AM EDT until August 16 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Destination
Long Lake, MI
Evening
in Long Lake on Saturday
Local time
8:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued August 16 at 3:54AM EDT until August 16 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
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
1 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
3h 40m on the road
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is predominantly highway driving, with 81% of the 192.3 miles on major roads like US 23 and I-75. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 79.3 miles on US 23 without needing to exit. The route begins with some urban merging as you depart Taylor and transition onto the interstate system.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.3 mi on US 23.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in near Ecorse Road.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 192.3 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 2 miles (Ecorse Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
990 ft604 ft
Total Climb
733 ft
Total Descent
429 ft
Highest Point
990 ft
~55 mi in
Elevation Range
386 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Taylor, MI and Long Lake, MI, road signs point toward Flint, M 61: Standish and Gladwin.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 192.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.3 miles on US 23. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Long Lake, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles (Ecorse Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Long Lake, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
