How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Tawas City, MI?

The driving distance from Ann Arbor, MI to Tawas City, MI is about 163.2 miles (262.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 138.1 miles (222.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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
163.17 mi
03h 11m
Flight
138.09 mi
222.24 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
138.09 mi
Kilometers
222.24 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
163.17 mi
Kilometers
262.59 km
Drive Time
03h 11m

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 03h 11m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Tawas City
Tue, May 5, 9:05 PM EDT
Return by in Ann Arbor
Wed, May 6, 12:16 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ann Arbor
2026-05-05T17:53
Arrive Tawas City
Tue, May 5, 9:05 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 11m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:11 AM to 11:11 AM EDT

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

Leave by
10:38 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
Buena Vista
MI

Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States

From Ann Arbor
81.6 mi
01h 35m
To Tawas City
81.6 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph W
Destination
54°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor and Tawas City.

  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

    94.7 mi · 1 hr 42 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    26.6 mi · 27 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin

    2011 ft · 51 sec

  9. 9

    Turn right onto M-61

    2.1 mi · 3 min · M-61

  10. 10

    Continue on West Cedar Street

    3191 ft · 1 min · West Cedar Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  12. 12

    Continue on West Huron Road

    6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road

  13. 13

    Continue on West Center Road

    1 km · 1 min · West Center Road

  14. 14

    Continue on East Huron Road

    26.2 mi · 37 min · East Huron Road

  15. 15

    Continue on West Lake Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · West Lake Street

  16. 16

    Turn right

    36 m · 6 sec

  17. 17

    Turn right

    25 m · 4 sec

  18. 18

    Turn right

    29 m · 7 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 23 North
121 mi · 74%
East Huron Road
26.2 mi · 16%
West Huron Road
6.29 mi · 4%
M-61
2.1 mi · 1%
West Lake Street
1.89 mi · 1%
North Main Street
1.79 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

US 23 North

Keep left to continue on US 23 North: Flint

94.7 mi · 01h 42m

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
03h 11m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+25.1 mi
138.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 35m from Ann Arbor
Leave By
10:38 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ann Arbor and Chance Rain Showers near Tawas City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ann Arbor to Tawas City?

The road trip is about 163.2 miles (262.6 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?

Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.6 miles from Ann Arbor and 81.6 miles from Tawas City.

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

The direct path is about 138.1 miles (222.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 10:38 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.72 one way or $43.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Ann Arbor and Chance Rain Showers near Tawas City.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Buena Vista and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Food stop 14.3 mi away

Old City Hall

Bay City , MI
814 Saginaw St, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 4.5/5 660 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Bar,Restaurant
Bay City Hall
Meeting point 14 mi away

Bay City Hall

Bay City , MI
301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 3.7/5 14 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.

BUS

Saginaw, MI

3 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Bay City, MI

20 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
RAIL

Flint station

49 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Owosso, MI

52 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ann Arbor and Tawas City. Straight-line distance: 138.09 mi (222.24 km).

Ann Arbor

#1 Ann Arbor

The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Population119,280
Coordinates42.2775600, -83.7408800
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Tawas City

#2 Tawas City

City in Iosco County, Michigan, United States

Population1,783
Coordinates44.2694600, -83.5147000
Altitude180
CountryUnited States
Start: Ann Arbor (-83.74088, 42.27756)
End: Tawas City (-83.5147, 44.26946)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 263 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 15m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 02m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.76 gal
21.79 L · about $21.72
Round trip
$43.44
11.52 gal · 43.58 L
Estimated CO2
51.2 kg one way
Round trip: 102.4 kg / 226 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.72 $43.44
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.50 $48.99
Premium $4.65 $26.81 $53.61
Diesel $5.30 $30.55 $61.10

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 · May 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Ann Arbor and Tawas City. The current time is 17:53:44.

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.