How far is Bear Lake, MI from Ann Arbor, MI?

The driving distance from Bear Lake, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is about 232.5 miles (374.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 191.2 miles (307.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 41m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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
232.45 mi
03h 50m
Flight
191.18 mi
307.68 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bear Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
191.18 mi
Kilometers
307.68 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
232.45 mi
Kilometers
374.1 km
Drive Time
03h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ann Arbor
Fri, Nov 6, 2:17 PM EST
Return by in Bear Lake
Fri, Nov 6, 6:08 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bear Lake
2026-11-06T10:27
Arrive Ann Arbor
Fri, Nov 6, 2:17 PM EST
Route Timing
03h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:51 AM to 11:51 AM EST

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

Leave by
9:18 AM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bear Lake
9:00 PM EST
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 Bear Lake
116.3 mi
01h 55m
To Ann Arbor
116.1 mi
01h 55m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
36°F
Overnight

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 3:00 AM EST
Wind
10 mph N
Destination
47°F
Today

Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM EST
Wind
10 to 14 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bear Lake and Ann Arbor.

  1. 1

    Start on Stuart Street

    525 ft · 29 sec · Stuart Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Virginia Street

    951 ft · 42 sec · Virginia Street

  3. 3

    Merge slight left onto Lake Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Lake Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Thirteen Mile Road

    15.4 mi · 28 min · Thirteen Mile Road

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Harlan Road

    2597 ft · 1 min · Harlan Road

  6. 6

    Turn right onto West M-115 Highway

    5.3 mi · 6 min · West M-115 Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on West Mesick Avenue

    2937 ft · 1 min · West Mesick Avenue

  8. 8

    Continue on West M-115 Highway

    2666 ft · 51 sec · West M-115 Highway

  9. 9

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

    39 m · 2 sec · West M-115 Highway

  10. 10

    Exit the roundabout onto West M-115 Highway

    108 m · 5 sec · West M-115 Highway

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto West M-115 Highway

    55.4 mi · 1 hr 16 min · West M-115 Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East: Clare

    1782 ft · 51 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    10.9 mi · 11 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight left toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City

    46.1 mi · 46 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw

    2040 ft · 39 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    36.3 mi · 39 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on US 23: Ann Arbor

    45.4 mi · 49 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor

    1.5 mi · 2 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit right toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor

    1.5 km · 2 min

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Depot Street

    1969 ft · 1 min · Depot Street

  22. 22

    Turn right

    36 m · 7 sec

  23. 23

    Continue on North State Street

    3204 ft · 1 min · North State Street

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South State Street

Car Route Details

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

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
24 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
4 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West M-115 Highway
61.4 mi · 26%
US 10 East
57.3 mi · 25%
I 75 South
47.6 mi · 20%
US 23
45.4 mi · 20%
Thirteen Mile Road
15.4 mi · 7%
M 14 West
1.52 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

West M-115 Highway

Merge slight left onto West M-115 Highway

55.4 mi · 01h 16m

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 50m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.3 mi
191.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sanford
01h 55m from Bear Lake
Leave By
9:18 AM EST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain Showers Likely leaving Bear Lake and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain near Ann Arbor.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bear Lake to Ann Arbor?

The road trip is about 232.5 miles (374.1 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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 116.3 miles from Bear Lake and 116.1 miles from Ann Arbor.

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

The direct path is about 191.2 miles (307.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.3 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:18 AM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.11 one way or $72.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bear Lake and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain near Ann Arbor.

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 Bear Lake and Ann Arbor. Straight-line distance: 191.18 mi (307.68 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Bear Lake

Village in Manistee County, Michigan, USA

Population288
Coordinates44.4208300, -86.1481400
Altitude241
CountryUnited States
Ann Arbor

#2 Ann Arbor

The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Population119,280
Coordinates42.2775600, -83.7408800
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Start: Stuart Street (-86.148137, 44.421013)
End: South State Street (-83.740762, 42.277562)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 374 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.2 gal
31.05 L · about $36.11
Round trip
$72.23
16.4 gal · 62.1 L
Estimated CO2
72.9 kg one way
Round trip: 145.7 kg / 321 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.40 $36.11 $72.23
Mid-grade $5.08 $41.66 $83.31
Premium $5.68 $46.58 $93.17
Diesel $6.63 $54.35 $108.70

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 · Nov 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Bear Lake and Ann Arbor. The current time is 10:27:07.

Distance to Other Cities

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