How far is Arcadia, MI from Chief Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Arcadia, MI to Chief Lake, MI is about 17.7 miles (28.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.9 miles (19.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 00h 29m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Township in Manistee County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Arcadia and Chief Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arcadia and Chief Lake.
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1
Start on Glovers Lake Road
18 m · 6 sec · Glovers Lake Road
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2
Turn left onto 6th Street
1646 ft · 36 sec · 6th Street
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3
Continue on Northwood Highway
8.8 mi · 12 min · Northwood Highway
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4
Continue on Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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5
Turn right onto 1st Street
121 m · 16 sec · 1st Street
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6
Turn left onto Eight Mile Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Eight Mile Road
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7
Turn left onto Chippewa Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Chippewa Highway
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8
Turn right onto Nine Mile Road
3 mi · 5 min · Nine Mile Road
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9
Turn right onto Chief Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Chief Road
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10
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Chief Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Arcadia and Chief Lake.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Northwood Highway
Continue on Northwood Highway
8.81 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny leaving Arcadia and Mostly Sunny near Chief Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Arcadia to Chief Lake?
The road trip is about 17.7 miles (28.5 km) and usually takes 00h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Onekama is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.8 miles from Arcadia and 8.9 miles from Chief Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.9 miles (19.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.38 one way or $4.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Arcadia and Mostly Sunny near Chief Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Onekama
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Onekama.
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Manton, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Arcadia and Chief Lake. Straight-line distance: 11.85 mi (19.07 km).
#1 Arcadia
Unincorporated community in Manistee County, Michigan
| Population | 635 |
| Coordinates | 44.4930600, -86.2317600 |
| Altitude | 181 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chief Lake
Chief Lake is a place in Michigan, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 44.3486100, -86.1023100 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chief Lake (-86.10231, 44.34861)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.38 | $4.75 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.68 | $5.36 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.93 | $5.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.34 | $6.68 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.