Troy, MI to Paradise, MI is 273.3 miles and takes about 5h 26m via I 75 and US 131, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Midwest region of Michigan to the northern Midwest, also within Michigan. Expect a mixed highway and surface road experience for this drive. Given the duration and distance, it's a solid day trip for most drivers, allowing for a relaxed pace. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward drive up through the state.
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
136.7 miles from Troy, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
101.7 mi
1h 45m
South Deerfoot Road
32.9 mi
38m
US 131
26.7 mi
26m
Tahquamenon Trail
22.4 mi
26m
US 127
18.3 mi
18m
West Houghton Lake Road
17.9 mi
24m
East Washington
16.5 mi
22m
South M 37
5.4 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 101.7 mi, about 1h 45m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~476 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,011
Quietest
2 AM
~12 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
39.7×
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 Troy, MI and Paradise, MI.
1
Start on North Dickinson Avenue
133 ft·9 sec·North Dickinson Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 13 Mile Road
5.1 mi·12 min·West 13 Mile Road
3
Continue on Cleveland Drive West
3.6 mi·8 min·Cleveland Drive West
4
Continue on West Main Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·West Main Street
5
Turn left onto North Bingham Avenue
1.6 mi·3 min·North Bingham Avenue
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·17 sec
7
Continue on West 15 Mile Road
0.4 mi·1 min·West 15 Mile Road
8
Turn left onto M 37
3.0 mi·4 min·North Woodbridge Avenue
9
Continue on M 37
5.2 mi·7 min·South M 37
10
Continue on M 37
0.6 mi·1 min·Michigan Avenue
11
Continue on M 37
0.3 mi·39 sec·South M 37
12
Turn right onto US 10
17 mi·22 min·East Washington
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward US 131 North
14
Merge onto US 131
27 mi·26 min·US 131
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward M 55 East: Lake City
16
Turn right onto M 55
1.5 mi·2 min·East M-55 Highway
17
Continue on M 55
4.6 mi·6 min·West Watergate Road
18
Continue on M 55
1.5 mi·2 min·West Blue Road
19
Turn left onto M 66; M 55
3.5 mi·4 min·South Morey Road
20
Continue on M 66; M 55
0.2 mi·19 sec·Lakeshore Drive
21
Continue on M 66; M 55
0.1 mi·11 sec·South Shore Drive
22
Continue on M 66; M 55
0.7 mi·1 min·Lake Shore Drive
23
Continue on M 66; M 55
0.5 mi·50 sec·Main Street
24
Turn right onto M 55
18 mi·24 min·West Houghton Lake Road
25
Continue on West Lake City Road
2.4 mi·3 min·West Lake City Road
26
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·45 sec
Toward US 127 North: Grayling
27
Merge onto US 127
18 mi·18 min·US 127
28
Merge onto I 75
102 mi·1 hr 45 min·I 75
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi·45 sec
Exit 352Toward M 123: Newberry
30
Turn left onto M 123
22 mi·26 min·Tahquamenon Trail
31
Continue on M 123; H-40
406 ft·8 sec·Front Street
32
Turn right onto M 123
33 mi·38 min·South Deerfoot Road
33
Continue on M 123
78 ft·1 sec·M 123
34
Arrive at destination
M 123
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5h 26m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Troy to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 100 miles on I 75, plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly. The $48 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially as you move onto the surface roads. This route is manageable in one day, so you have flexibility if you encounter traffic or decide to take a more leisurely pace.
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 136.7 miles from Troy, MI, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.7 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 60 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 136.7 miles or 2h 57m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paradise, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Troy, 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 Troy, MI
This is one driving day of about 273.3 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Troy, 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 101.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 217.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West 13 Mile Road
Turn left onto West 13 Mile Road
Navigation decision point
4
8.9 mi into trip|~21m in|North Bingham Avenue
Turn left onto North Bingham Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
36.6 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward US 131 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 131 North
5
97.2 mi into trip|~2h 17m in
Take the ramp toward US 127 North: Grayling
Navigation decision point
Toward US 127 North: Grayling
5
217.5 mi into trip|~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward M 123: Newberry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 352
Toward M 123: Newberry
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.36 one way
$80.72 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.56
$89.11
premium
$4.72
$50.74
$101.49
diesel
$4.80
$51.60
$103.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82
1
$28.70
$13.12
Efficient EV
68.3
0
$23.91
$10.93
EV Truck/SUV
109.3
1
$38.26
$17.49
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Troy, MI
Late night
in Troy on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Areas Of Smoke then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 8 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:15AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 10:41PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Paradise, MI
Late night
in Paradise on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Smoke
SW 10 mph91% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:15AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 10:41PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
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
13 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 26m 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?
You'll spend about 54% of your time on highways, with the longest stretch being 101.7 miles on I 75. After that, you'll transition to surface roads like South Deerfoot Road and US 131. The initial portion on I 75 will likely feel like typical interstate cruising, with multiple lanes and exits. Be prepared for a change in pace and road conditions as you move onto US 131 and other surface roads.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 101.7 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 13 Mile Road.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 273.3 miles you will encounter 17 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: near the start (West 13 Mile Road): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (North Bingham Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 36.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,462 ft599 ft
Total Climb
1,175 ft
Total Descent
1,375 ft
Highest Point
1,462 ft
~58.6 mi in
Elevation Range
863 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Troy, MI and Paradise, MI, road signs point toward M 55 East: Lake City and M 123: Newberry.
Paradise is an unincorporated community on Whitefish Bay. This article covers a broad but sparsely-populated rural area at the eastern end of Lake Superior on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 26m. Total distance: 273.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 101.7 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 13 Mile Road): Navigation decision point; at 8.9 miles (North Bingham Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 36.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Paradise, MI before the return drive.
