Trip from Westland, MI to Manistee, MI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 46m

Distance

250.5 mi

403 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 33m ★

6 AM

4h 47m

8 AM

5h 14m

10 AM

4h 56m

12 PM

4h 53m

3 PM

4h 57m

5 PM

5h 12m

8 PM

4h 39m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Westland, MI

fish socks

Manistee, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 250.5-mile journey from Westland, MI, to Manistee, MI, is comfortably manageable as a single-day road trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 46 minutes. Primarily following US 23 and US 10, with a portion on Cadillac Drive, this highway-focused route offers a direct path through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, it's an economical option for exploring Michigan. The drive is designed for efficiency, making it ideal if you want to reach your destination without an overnight stop.

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

125.3 miles from Westland, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 23	78.2 mi	1h 23m
US 10	56.9 mi	56m
Cadillac Drive	37.6 mi	51m
Caberfae Highway	25.1 mi	29m
I 275	21.6 mi	23m
East M-55 Highway	18.8 mi	22m
I 96	6 mi	6m
Ford Road	1.9 mi	3m

Longest stretch: US 23 — 78.2 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Westland, MI and Manistee, MI.

Start on M 153

1.9 mi · 3 min · Ford Road

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 275 North: Flint, Lansing

Merge onto I 275

22 mi · 23 min · I 275

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 96

6.0 mi · 6 min · I 96

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 11 sec

Exit 148A; 147; 147B Toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 54 sec

Exit 148B Toward US 23 North: Flint Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto US 23

78 mi · 1 hr 23 min · US 23

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec

Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland

Continue on US 10

11 mi · 11 min · US 10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

38 mi · 38 min · US 10

Toward US 10: Clare

Take the exit onto US 10

7.6 mi · 7 min · US 10

Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward M 115: Cadillac

Turn right onto M 115

38 mi · 51 min · Cadillac Drive

Turn left onto M 55

19 mi · 22 min · East M-55 Highway

Continue on M 55

25 mi · 29 min · Caberfae Highway

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto US 31

0.3 mi · 34 sec · West Parkdale Avenue

Continue on US 31

0.6 mi · 1 min · West Parkdale Road

Continue on US 31

0.6 mi · 1 min · Arthur Street

Continue on US 31

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Cleveland Street

Turn right onto Memorial Drive

0.2 mi · 45 sec · Memorial Drive

Turn left onto Washington Street

405 ft · 13 sec · Washington Street

Continue on Maple Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Maple Street

Turn right

90 ft · 6 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour, 46-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Westland to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically along US 23, your longest stretch, to break up the journey. The $39 fuel cost is a helpful budget point, but keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the longer segments. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, a planned stop ensures you arrive in Manistee refreshed.

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 125.3 miles from Westland, MI, or about 2h 15m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 125.3 miles or 2h 15m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manistee, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Westland, 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 Westland, MI

This is one driving day of about 250.5 miles and 4h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Westland, 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 US 23 for about 78.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Freeland, MI

125 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

Lake Fenton, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Freeland, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 125.3 miles from Westland, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.2 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best coffee break · early in the drive

North End Coffee Cafe Bake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fenton, Michigan

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch · 1h 2m in 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+18102080665

Visit website

Thread Creek Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Howell, Michigan

2.6 mi

KOKABON COFFEE

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Canton Township, Michigan

2.8 mi

North End Coffee Cafe Bake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Fenton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+18102080665

Visit website

Thread Creek Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Howell, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18107469302

Visit website

KOKABON COFFEE

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour Inexpensiv

Canton Township, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17342374494

Visit website

Joe's Coffee & Tea Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Novi, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12485333355

Visit website

Kenz Coffee House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv

Canton Township, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17348922597

Visit website

BakeCurry Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Novi, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12484828747

The Red Dot Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–7:30 pm

+12483083989

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Commerce Township, Michigan

1.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.2 mi from route

Manistee North Pier Lighthouse

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Manistee, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Dahlia Hill Society

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Midland, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19896310100

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+12483740200

Visit website

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 2.5 and 120.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

2.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 275

Merge onto I 275

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

30.1 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint

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 148A; 147; 147B Toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spe...

30.3 mi into trip | ~34m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 North: Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 148B Toward US 23 North: Flint

109.1 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward US 10 West: Midland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland

120.6 mi into trip | ~2h 11m in | US 10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10 toward US 10: Clare

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 10: Clare

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.65 one way

$83.30 round trip

$4.22/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.60	$45.37	$90.73
premium	$5.18	$51.12	$102.23
diesel	$5.35	$52.76	$105.53

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$42

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 87.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	75.2	0	$26.30	$12.02
Efficient EV	62.6	0	$21.92	$10.02
EV Truck/SUV	100.2	1	$35.07	$16.03

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (67% 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 Jun 1, 2026

Origin

Westland, MI

Afternoon in Westland on Wednesday

Local time

3:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

54°F

Partly Cloudy

NW 1 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Manistee, MI

Afternoon in Manistee on Wednesday

Local time

3:03 PM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Mostly Clear

NE 5 mph 0% chance 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

9 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 46m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 65% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 78.2 miles on US 23, offering a good opportunity to settle in. The character of the drive shifts between efficient highway cruising and segments on US 10 and Cadillac Drive, providing a varied but generally straightforward driving experience. This route is built for covering ground effectively.

65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 78.2 mi on US 23.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 275.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 250.5 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 2.5 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,409 ft 592 ft

Total Climb

1,125 ft

Total Descent

1,136 ft

Highest Point

1,409 ft

~196.8 mi in

Elevation Range

817 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Westland, MI and Manistee, MI, road signs point toward Flint, To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.

Flint

30.1 mi in | ~34m

To M 115: Ludington

158.6 mi in | ~2h 49m | via US 10

Cadillac

158.6 mi in | ~2h 49m | via US 10

M 115: Cadillac

166.2 mi in | ~2h 56m

About the Cities

Starting in Westland, MI

Full guide →

Founded 1966

Westland is a city in Wayne County in the state of Michigan.

Top landmarks

• Annapolis Park Historic District — historic district in Westland, Michigan
• Norwayne Historic District — historic district in Westland, Michigan, United States

Arriving in Manistee, MI

Full guide →

Founded 1841

Manistee is located on the shores of Lake Michigan in the northwestern lower peninsula of Michigan, about 65 miles south of Traverse City. Manistee offers small town charm with beautiful beaches, great fishing, and the Manistee National Forest. For vacationers Manistee has a lot to offer but it may be more notable for what it doesn't: large crowds, high prices, heavy traffic and tacky tourist traps.

Top landmarks

• SS City of Milwaukee — Great Lakes railroad car ferry
• Ramsdell Theatre — theater in Manistee, Michigan, United States
• Manistee Pierhead lights — lighthouse in Michigan, United States

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 250.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 78.2 miles on US 23. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 15 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 Manistee, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Manistee, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Westland, MI to Manistee, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

North End Coffee Cafe Bake

North End Coffee Cafe Bake

Thread Creek Coffee

KOKABON COFFEE

Joe's Coffee & Tea Cafe

Kenz Coffee House

BakeCurry Café

The Red Dot Coffee Company

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

Clare Welcome Center 634

Dodge Road Rest Area 631

Bay City Rest Area 605

Clio Rest Area 612

Fenton Rest Area 624

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

TA

Flying J Travel Center

M-81 Express Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Cadillac Rest Area 306

Service Plaza

Manistee North Pier Lighthouse

Dahlia Hill Society

Arboretum- Lake Bluff Farms

Painting with a Twist

Marshall M Fredericks Sculpture Museum

Maybury State Park

Maybury Farm

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Westland, MI

Manistee, MI

Same local time

9 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 46m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Westland, MI

Arriving in Manistee, MI

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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