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Trip from Wayland, MI to Macomb, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 19m

Distance

172.6 mi

278 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min
4 AM
3h 8m ★
6 AM
3h 20m
8 AM
3h 44m
10 AM
3h 28m
12 PM
3h 26m
3 PM
3h 29m
5 PM
3h 43m
8 PM
3h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Wayland, MI, MI

Wayland, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 172.6-mile drive from Wayland, MI to Macomb, MI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 87% of it on major interstates like I-69, I-96, and I-75, making for efficient travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, it's an economical option for crossing the Midwest region of Michigan. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the journey. This straightforward drive offers a practical way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.

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

86.3 miles from Wayland, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 69 51.5 mi 52m
I 96 42.3 mi 45m
I 75 34.7 mi 37m
US 131 11.2 mi 11m
Paul B. Henry Freeway 10.3 mi 10m
25 Mile Road 6.9 mi 10m
Tienken Road 3.5 mi 6m
West Tienken Road 1.6 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 69 — 51.5 mi, about 52m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wayland, MI and Macomb, MI.

1

Start on West Superior Street

0.8 mi · 2 min · West Superior Street
2

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Toward US 131 North: Grand Rapids
3

Merge onto US 131

11 mi · 11 min · US 131
4

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Exit 76-77 Toward M 6: 68th Street, Lansing, Holland Use the slight right lane.
5

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward M 6: Lansing, Holland Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward M 6 East: Lansing Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto M 6

10 mi · 10 min · Paul B. Henry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Toward I-96 East: Lansing Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 96

42 mi · 45 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

2.5 mi · 2 min
Exit 89 Toward I 69 East: Flint
11

Merge onto I 69

52 mi · 52 min · I 69
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec
Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
14

Merge onto I 75; US 23

1.9 mi · 2 min · I 75; US 23
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

33 mi · 35 min · I 75
16

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 81 Toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer Use the slight right lane.
17

Continue on I 75 BL

0.2 mi · 27 sec · I 75 BL
18

Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL

0.6 mi · 57 sec · I 75 BL
Toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac
19

Turn left

88 ft · 3 sec
Use the left lane.
20

Turn left

154 ft · 7 sec
21

Continue on Shimmons Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Shimmons Road
22

At end of road, turn left onto Shimmons Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Shimmons Road
23

At end of road, turn left onto North Squirrel Road

0.3 mi · 37 sec · North Squirrel Road
24

Turn right onto Tienken Road

3.5 mi · 6 min · Tienken Road
Use the right lane.
25

Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road

128 ft · 3 sec · West Tienken Road
26

Continue on West Tienken Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Tienken Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
27

Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road

159 ft · 5 sec · East Tienken Road
28

Continue on East Tienken Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Tienken Road
29

Enter roundabout onto Runyon Road

150 ft · 3 sec · Runyon Road
30

Continue on Runyon Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · Runyon Road
31

Continue on 25 Mile Road

6.0 mi · 9 min · 25 Mile Road
32

Enter roundabout onto 25 Mile Road

150 ft · 4 sec · 25 Mile Road
33

Continue on 25 Mile Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · 25 Mile Road
34

Enter roundabout

270 ft · 7 sec
35

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour and 19-minute duration, starting your journey in Wayland, MI, in the morning will allow you to reach Macomb, MI, with plenty of daylight remaining. The $27 fuel cost suggests planning your fuel stops accordingly, as you'll want to avoid running low, especially during the 51.5-mile stretch on I-69. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; consider a brief rest break around the halfway point to stretch your legs. This route is designed for efficiency, so focus on a smooth, direct drive.

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 86.3 miles from Wayland, MI, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.5 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 38 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 86.3 miles or 1h 34m 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 33m

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 Wayland, 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 Wayland, MI

This is one driving day of about 172.6 miles and 3h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Wayland, 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 69 for about 51.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Michigan, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corunna, MI

86 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Ionia, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Haslett, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.3 miles from Wayland, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 28

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.1 and 156.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
12.1 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward M 6: 68th Street, Lansing, Holland

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 76-77 Toward M 6: 68th Street, Lansing, Holland
8
12.3 mi into trip | ~14m in

Keep slight left at fork toward M 6: Lansing, Holland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward M 6: Lansing, Holland
7
12.7 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight right at fork toward M 6 East: Lansing

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward M 6 East: Lansing
7
23.9 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I-96 East: Lansing

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I-96 East: Lansing
8
156.3 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.98 one way

$53.97 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 60 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $29.63 $59.25
premium $4.89 $33.22 $66.43
diesel $5.61 $38.11 $76.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51.8 0 $18.12 $8.28
Efficient EV 43.2 0 $15.10 $6.90
EV Truck/SUV 69 0 $24.16 $11.05

Gas CO2

60 kg

EV CO2

20 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 15, 2026

Origin

Wayland, MI

Late night in Wayland on Sunday

Local time

1:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Macomb, MI

Late night in Macomb on Sunday

Local time

1:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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 cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 19m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused driving experience for the majority of this trip, with 87% of the route utilizing interstates. You'll spend a good portion of your time on I-69, which includes the longest uninterrupted stretch of 51.5 miles. The character of the drive is largely consistent, prioritizing speed and directness over scenic byways. While there might be slight variations as you transition between I-69, I-96, and I-75, the overall feel is that of a functional interstate commute across Michigan.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.5 mi on I 69.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69 and I 96. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 28 significant decision points across 172.6 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 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Wayland, MI and Macomb, MI, road signs point toward Lansing, Holland, M 6: Lansing, M 6 East: Lansing, Detroit and M 24: Pontiac - among others.

Lansing

12.1 mi in | ~14m

Holland

12.1 mi in | ~14m

M 6: Lansing

12.3 mi in | ~14m

M 6 East: Lansing

12.7 mi in | ~15m

Detroit

120.9 mi in | ~2h 10m

M 24: Pontiac

156.3 mi in | ~2h 49m

Lapeer

156.3 mi in | ~2h 49m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 19m. Total distance: 172.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 51.5 miles on I 69. 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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Macomb, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Macomb, MI to Wayland, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

172.4 mi 3h 21m

Explore more options from Wayland, MI or browse trips ending in Macomb, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.