How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Frankfort, MI?

The driving distance from Ann Arbor, MI to Frankfort, MI is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 205.2 miles (330.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
243.26 mi
04h 45m
Flight
205.26 mi
330.34 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ann Arbor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
205.26 mi
Kilometers
330.34 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
243.26 mi
Kilometers
391.49 km
Drive Time
04h 45m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Frankfort
Wed, Apr 15, 10:27 PM EDT
Return by in Ann Arbor
Thu, Apr 16, 3:12 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ann Arbor
2026-04-15T17:42
Arrive Frankfort
Wed, Apr 15, 10:27 PM EDT
Route Timing
04h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:45 AM to 12:45 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:30 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ann Arbor
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Sanford
MI

Human settlement in Midland County, Michigan, United States of America

From Ann Arbor
121.5 mi
02h 22m
To Frankfort
121.7 mi
02h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Wednesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW
Destination
Frankfort Weather
MI
Live fallback forecast
50°F
This Afternoon
Using Manistee as the closest live forecast in the Michigan weather hub.

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 4:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ann Arbor and Frankfort.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor and Frankfort.

  1. 1

    Start on South State Street

    1325 ft · 43 sec · South State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Huron Street

    2058 ft · 1 min · East Huron Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit

    835 ft · 20 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep left to continue on US 23 North: Flint

    93.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West: Midland

    1046 ft · 36 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    11.3 mi · 11 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on US 10: Clare

    38 mi · 38 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac

    7.6 mi · 8 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward M 115: Cadillac

    2678 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Cadillac Drive

    55.3 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Cadillac Drive

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West M-115 Highway

    39 m · 2 sec · West M-115 Highway

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto West M-115 Highway

    2664 ft · 51 sec · West M-115 Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on East Mesick Avenue

    2937 ft · 1 min · East Mesick Avenue

  16. 16

    Continue on West M-115 Highway

    5.3 mi · 6 min · West M-115 Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Cadillac Highway

    17.8 mi · 21 min · Cadillac Highway

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Benzie Highway

    1.6 mi · 3 min · Benzie Highway

  19. 19

    Continue on Michigan Avenue

    1.1 km · 1 min · Michigan Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto State Highway 115

    134 m · 8 sec · State Highway 115

  21. 21

    Continue on Frankfort Highway

    6.3 mi · 9 min · Frankfort Highway

  22. 22

    Continue on Forest Avenue

    1.1 km · 2 min · Forest Avenue

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Forest Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ann Arbor and Frankfort.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 23 North
93.6 mi · 38%
Cadillac Drive
55.3 mi · 23%
US 10
38 mi · 16%
US 10 West
19.1 mi · 8%
Cadillac Highway
17.8 mi · 7%
Frankfort Highway
6.34 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US 23 North

Keep left to continue on US 23 North: Flint

93.6 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 45m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.1 mi
205.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sanford
02h 22m from Ann Arbor
Leave By
7:30 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Light Rain Likely leaving Ann Arbor and Mostly Cloudy near Frankfort.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ann Arbor to Frankfort?

The road trip is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km) and usually takes 04h 45m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Sanford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.5 miles from Ann Arbor and 121.7 miles from Frankfort.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 205.2 miles (330.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.36 one way or $64.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain Likely around Ann Arbor and Mostly Cloudy near Frankfort.

Stop Ideas Near Sanford

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sanford, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sanford.

BUS

Bay City, MI

41 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
BUS

Saginaw, MI

45 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Owosso, MI

77 mi away
109 Comstock Street
BUS

Big Rapids, Michigan

89 mi away
14342 Northland Dr.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ann Arbor and Frankfort. Straight-line distance: 205.26 mi (330.34 km).

Ann Arbor

#1 Ann Arbor

The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Population119,280
Coordinates42.2775600, -83.7408800
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Frankfort

City in Benzie County, Michigan, United States of America

Population1,289
Coordinates44.6336100, -86.2345400
Altitude182
CountryUnited States
Start: Ann Arbor (-83.74088, 42.27756)
End: Frankfort (-86.23454, 44.63361)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 391 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 06m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 03m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.58 gal
32.49 L · about $32.36
Round trip
$64.71
17.16 gal · 64.98 L
Estimated CO2
76.3 kg one way
Round trip: 152.5 kg / 336 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $32.36 $64.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $36.49 $72.98
Premium $4.65 $39.93 $79.86
Diesel $5.30 $45.51 $91.02

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Michigan · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Ann Arbor and Frankfort. The current time is 17:42:15.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.