Torch Lake to Macomb is 246.4 miles and takes about 4h 58m via I 75 and M-72 West, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You can expect a fairly direct path for most of the journey, with a short stint on surface roads toward the end.
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
123.2 miles from Torch Lake, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
167.9 mi
2h 53m
M-72 West
26.8 mi
36m
Cherry Avenue
7.1 mi
9m
25 Mile Road
6.9 mi
10m
North US 31 Highway
6.8 mi
9m
Rapid City Road Northwest
5.6 mi
8m
BL I 75
4.2 mi
4m
Cairn Highway
3.6 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 167.9 mi, about 2h 53m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 74 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,092 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,972
Quietest
2 AM
~102 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.5×
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 Torch Lake, MI and Macomb, MI.
1
Start on Public Dock Road
63 ft·9 sec·Public Dock Road
2
Turn left onto US 31
6.8 mi·9 min·North US 31 Highway
3
Turn left onto Cairn Highway
3.6 mi·8 min·Cairn Highway
4
At end of road, turn left onto CR 597
7.1 mi·9 min·Cherry Avenue
5
Continue on CR 597
0.6 mi·1 min·Crystal Beach Road Northwest
6
Turn right onto CR 597
2.2 mi·4 min·Aarwood Road Northwest
7
Turn right onto CR 593; CR 597
5.6 mi·8 min·Rapid City Road Northwest
8
At end of road, turn left onto M 72
3.5 mi·4 min·M-72 West
9
Continue on M 72
1.0 mi·1 min·West Mile Road Northwest
10
Turn right onto US 131; M 72; M 66
2.0 mi·3 min·North Cedar Street
11
Turn left onto M 72; M 66
23 mi·31 min·M-72 West
12
Continue on M 72; M 93
1.1 mi·2 min·M 72; M 93
Use the right lane.
13
Turn right onto BL I 75; M 72
1.4 mi·3 min·North James Street
Use the right lane.
14
Take the exit onto BL I 75
4.2 mi·4 min·BL I 75
Toward I 75 South
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
33 mi·35 min·I 75
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 81Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, LapeerUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 75 BL
0.2 mi·27 sec·I 75 BL
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL
0.6 mi·57 sec·I 75 BL
Toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac
21
Turn left
88 ft·3 sec
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left
154 ft·7 sec
23
Continue on Shimmons Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Shimmons Road
24
At end of road, turn left onto Shimmons Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Shimmons Road
25
At end of road, turn left onto North Squirrel Road
0.3 mi·37 sec·North Squirrel Road
26
Turn right onto Tienken Road
3.5 mi·6 min·Tienken Road
Use the right lane.
27
Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road
128 ft·3 sec·West Tienken Road
28
Continue on West Tienken Road
1.6 mi·3 min·West Tienken Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road
159 ft·5 sec·East Tienken Road
30
Continue on East Tienken Road
0.6 mi·1 min·East Tienken Road
31
Enter roundabout onto Runyon Road
150 ft·3 sec·Runyon Road
32
Continue on Runyon Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Runyon Road
33
Continue on 25 Mile Road
6.0 mi·9 min·25 Mile Road
34
Enter roundabout onto 25 Mile Road
150 ft·4 sec·25 Mile Road
35
Continue on 25 Mile Road
0.9 mi·1 min·25 Mile Road
36
Enter roundabout
270 ft·7 sec
37
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 58m estimated drive time, leaving Torch Lake in the morning should allow you to reach Macomb with plenty of daylight. The route has only one recommended stop, and with the longest stretch being 167.9 miles on I 75, you might want to plan a break around the halfway point of that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and it’s always wise to fill up before heading into longer stretches of highway where services might be less frequent. The final portion on Cherry Avenue will be a change from the interstate, so be prepared for slower speeds and more local road conditions.
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 123.2 miles from Torch Lake, MI, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 167.9 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 54 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.2 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Macomb, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Torch Lake, 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 Torch Lake, MI
This is one driving day of about 246.4 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Torch Lake, 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 167.9 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 10.5 and 232.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
10.5 mi into trip|~18m in|CR 597 / Cherry Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto CR 597 / Cherry Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
56.7 mi into trip|~1h 26m in|BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street
Turn right onto BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
62.2 mi into trip|~1h 34m 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
8
230.1 mi into trip|~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
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 81
Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer
6
232.9 mi into trip|~4h 35m in|Tienken Road
Turn right onto Tienken Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.39 one way
$72.78 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.17
$80.34
premium
$4.72
$45.75
$91.50
diesel
$4.80
$46.52
$93.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.87
$11.83
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.56
$9.86
EV Truck/SUV
98.6
1
$34.50
$15.77
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Torch Lake, MI
Morning
in Torch Lake on Monday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 15 to 20 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:41AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
Destination
Macomb, MI
Morning
in Macomb on Monday
Local time
6:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 to 15 mph69% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:41AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
80°F
Worth, MI
123 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
17 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
4h 58m 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?
This drive is mostly highway, with 73% of the 246.4 miles on freeways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 167.9 miles on I 75. After this long highway segment, you'll transition to M-72 West and then Cherry Avenue, which will feel like a noticeable change from consistent freeway speeds. Expect to see more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections as you approach your destination.
73% 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: 167.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and M-72 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.5 miles in near CR 597 / Cherry Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 246.4 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 10.5 miles (CR 597 / Cherry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 56.7 miles (BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,256 ft591 ft
Total Climb
1,095 ft
Total Descent
1,086 ft
Highest Point
1,256 ft
~91.9 mi in
Elevation Range
665 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Torch Lake, MI and Macomb, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M 24: Pontiac and Lapeer.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 246.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 167.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Macomb, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.5 miles (CR 597 / Cherry Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 56.7 miles (BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Macomb, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
