If you are planning a trip from Troy to Pontiac, expect a 218.7-mile journey that takes approximately 3 hours and 31 minutes to complete. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. Your travel budget should account for roughly $32 in fuel costs for the round trip. Navigating through the Midwest, you will rely on local roads like West 13 Mile Road, Cleveland Drive West, and West Main Street rather than major expressways. It is a straightforward trip that favors local navigation over high-speed highway driving, making it a manageable trek for those who prefer staying off the interstate.
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
104.3 miles from Troy, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
76.9 mi
1h 22m
East Washington
59.9 mi
1h 18m
US 10
46.1 mi
46m
South M 37
5.4 mi
7m
West 13 Mile Road
5.1 mi
12m
Cleveland Drive West
3.6 mi
8m
North Woodbridge Avenue
3 mi
4m
Baldwin Avenue
2.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 76.9 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Troy, MI and Pontiac, 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
60 mi·1 hr 18 min·East Washington
13
Take the exit onto US 10
46 mi·46 min·US 10
Toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 140AToward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
15
Merge onto I 75; US 23
36 mi·38 min·I 75; US 23
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
30 mi·31 min·I 75
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 84Toward Baldwin RoadUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto Baldwin Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Baldwin Road
Use the right lane.
20
Continue on Baldwin Avenue
2.8 mi·6 min·Baldwin Avenue
Use the straight lane.
21
Turn left onto US 24 BUS
0.2 mi·27 sec·Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
22
Continue on Oakland Avenue
0.2 mi·23 sec·Oakland Avenue
23
Turn straight onto North Saginaw Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·North Saginaw Street
24
Turn left onto M 59
378 ft·13 sec·East Huron Street
25
Turn right onto North Perry Street
74 ft·2 sec·North Perry Street
26
Arrive at destination
North Perry Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy route, planning your departure during off-peak hours is the best way to avoid frustration at local intersections. You should budget for one strategic stop to stretch your legs, as the constant turning can be more taxing than a straight highway drive. Keep your navigation tools handy, as the lack of highway signage means you will be relying on road names like Cleveland Drive West and West Main Street to find your way. A smart tip for this specific trip is to check your tire pressure and fuel levels before leaving Troy, as the local nature of the roads makes it harder to find quick service compared to a major interstate route. Since the drive is short enough for one day, use your flexibility to leave early and maximize your time at the destination.
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 104.3 miles from Troy, MI, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.9 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 46 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.3 miles or 2h 22m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pontiac, 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 208.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 76.9 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 80 and 208.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
80 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 10
Take the exit onto US 10 toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
6
126.1 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 140A
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
7
203.3 mi into trip|~4h 7m in
Take the exit toward Baldwin Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 84
Toward Baldwin Road
6
203.8 mi into trip|~4h 8m in|Baldwin Road
Turn right onto Baldwin Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
208.4 mi into trip|~4h 18m in|M 59 / East Huron Street
Turn left onto M 59 / East Huron Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.60 one way
$65.19 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.79
$71.58
premium
$4.89
$40.12
$80.25
diesel
$5.61
$46.03
$92.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.89
$10.01
Efficient EV
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
EV Truck/SUV
83.4
1
$29.19
$13.34
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Troy, MI
Night
in Troy on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 7 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 11:05AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:27AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Pontiac, MI
Night
in Pontiac on Saturday
Local time
10:48 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
31°F
Midland, MI
104 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
27 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
4h 18m 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 turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because the path relies entirely on local corridors, there isn't a long, uninterrupted stretch to settle into; in fact, the longest stretch on West 13 Mile Road is 0 miles. You will be constantly navigating intersections and turns, which keeps the experience engaging but requires your full attention. The road's personality is defined by its local character, moving you through the region without the high-speed isolation of a typical interstate. Be prepared for a more active driving experience where the pace is dictated by local traffic patterns and frequent changes in direction.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 80 miles in near US 10.
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 15 significant decision points across 208.5 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 80 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,093 ft582 ft
Total Climb
786 ft
Total Descent
683 ft
Highest Point
1,093 ft
~193.6 mi in
Elevation Range
511 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Troy, MI to Pontiac, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bay City along the way.
Bay City
80 mi in|~1h 58m|via US 10
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 208.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.9 miles on I 75. 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 Pontiac, 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 80 miles (US 10): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Pontiac, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
