Origin
Wayland, MI
Late night in Wayland on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
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
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Wayland, MI
fish socks
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 .
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Wayland, MI and Macomb, MI.
Start on West Superior Street
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 131
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto M 6
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 96
Take the exit
Merge onto I 69
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Continue on I 75 BL
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL
Turn left
Turn left
Continue on Shimmons Road
At end of road, turn left onto Shimmons Road
At end of road, turn left onto North Squirrel Road
Turn right onto Tienken Road
Enter roundabout onto West Tienken Road
Continue on West Tienken Road
Enter roundabout onto East Tienken Road
Continue on East Tienken Road
Enter roundabout onto Runyon Road
Continue on Runyon Road
Continue on 25 Mile Road
Enter roundabout onto 25 Mile Road
Continue on 25 Mile Road
Enter roundabout
Arrive at destination
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.
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.
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.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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.
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.
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
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
Keep slight right at fork toward M 6 East: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I-96 East: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$26.98 one way
$53.97 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Wayland on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Macomb on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Holland
M 6: Lansing
M 6 East: Lansing
Detroit
M 24: Pontiac
Lapeer
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.
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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