How far is Brighton, MI from Higgins Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Brighton, MI to Higgins Lake, MI is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144 miles (231.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 02m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Bay County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brighton and Higgins Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton and Higgins Lake.
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1
Start on East Grand River Avenue
15 m · 8 sec · East Grand River Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
2451 ft · 1 min · East Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Spencer Street
1195 ft · 34 sec · Spencer Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-96 EAST: Detroit
1.1 km · 1 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on US 23 North, I 96 East: Flint, Detroit
1844 ft · 22 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US 23 North: Flint
1502 ft · 37 sec
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7
Merge slight left
79.9 mi · 1 hr 26 min
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8
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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9
Keep slight left
17.1 mi · 17 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward North Higgins Lake State Park
1702 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn left onto West Federal Highway
1.7 mi · 2 min · West Federal Highway
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12
Continue on North Higgins Lake Drive
3.9 mi · 5 min · North Higgins Lake Drive
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13
Turn left onto South Old US-27
2.3 mi · 4 min · South Old US-27
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Old US-27
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brighton and Higgins Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 23 North
Merge slight left
79.9 mi · 01h 26m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Smoke leaving Brighton and Smoke near Higgins Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brighton to Higgins Lake?
The road trip is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Kawkawlin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.1 miles from Brighton and 85.1 miles from Higgins Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144 miles (231.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 26.1 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 10:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.63 one way or $45.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Smoke around Brighton and Smoke near Higgins Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Kawkawlin
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kawkawlin.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Flint station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brighton and Higgins Lake. Straight-line distance: 144.01 mi (231.76 km).
#1 Brighton
Suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States
| Population | 18,895 |
| Coordinates | 42.5294800, -83.7802200 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Higgins Lake
Higgins Lake is a place in Michigan, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 44.4836300, -84.7797500 |
| Altitude | 357 |
| Country | United States |
End: Higgins Lake (-84.77975, 44.48363)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.63 | $45.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.52 | $51.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.92 | $55.85 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.82 | $63.65 |
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 · Jul 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.