How far is Buchanan, MI from Flint, MI?

The driving distance from Buchanan, MI to Flint, MI is about 199 miles (320.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 159.1 miles (256 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m 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
198.94 mi
03h 06m
Flight
159.06 mi
255.98 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Buchanan.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
159.06 mi
Kilometers
255.98 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
198.94 mi
Kilometers
320.16 km
Drive Time
03h 06m

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 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Flint
Thu, May 14, 8:03 PM EDT
Return by in Buchanan
Thu, May 14, 11:10 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Buchanan
2026-05-14T16:57
Arrive Flint
Thu, May 14, 8:03 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 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
10:46 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Buchanan
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
Marshall
MI

City in the U.

From Buchanan
99.2 mi
01h 33m
To Flint
99.8 mi
01h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph NW
Destination
61°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Buchanan and Flint.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan and Flint.

  1. 1

    Start on South Oak Street

    9 m · 5 sec · South Oak Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Front Street

    1.2 km · 1 min · East Front Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Niles Buchanan Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Niles Buchanan Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward Niles-Buchanan Road

    2061 ft · 50 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

    21.2 mi · 23 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on US-31

    1.2 km · 1 min · US-31

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto I-94/US-31

    2935 ft · 36 sec · I-94/US-31

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit

    74.2 mi · 1 hr 20 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69: Fort Wayne, Lansing

    871 ft · 21 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    2100 ft · 51 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 69 North: Lansing

    2027 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 69 North

    2752 ft · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    39.8 mi · 43 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on I 69 East: Flint

    56.6 mi · 58 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Saginaw Street, Downtown

    1166 ft · 36 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South Grand Traverse Street

    1533 ft · 37 sec · South Grand Traverse Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West Fifth Street

    1635 ft · 48 sec · West Fifth Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Harrison Street

    116 m · 21 sec · Harrison Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto East Court Street

    72 m · 9 sec · East Court Street

  20. 20

    Turn left

    21 m · 7 sec

  21. 21

    Turn right

    28 m · 7 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Buchanan and Flint.

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
22 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94
74.2 mi · 37%
I 69 East
56.6 mi · 28%
I 69 North
40.7 mi · 20%
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
21.2 mi · 11%
Niles Buchanan Road
1.85 mi · 1%
East Front Street
0.76 mi
Longest Stretch

I 94

Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit

74.2 mi · 01h 20m

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 06m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.9 mi
159.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marshall
01h 33m from Buchanan
Leave By
10:46 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Buchanan and Partly Sunny near Flint.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Buchanan to Flint?

The road trip is about 199 miles (320.2 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?

Marshall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99.2 miles from Buchanan and 99.8 miles from Flint.

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

The direct path is about 159.1 miles (256 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.9 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 10:46 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.47 one way or $52.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buchanan and Partly Sunny near Flint.

Stop Ideas Near Marshall

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marshall, 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 Marshall.

RAIL

Albion station

17 mi away
300 North Eaton St.
RAIL

Battle Creek Transportation Center

19 mi away
104 Capital Ave. S.W.
RAIL

Jackson station

46 mi away
501 E. Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Kalamazoo Transportation Center

51 mi away
459 North Burdick St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Buchanan and Flint. Straight-line distance: 159.06 mi (255.98 km).

Buchanan

#1 Buchanan

City in Berrien County, Michigan, United Staes

Population3,527
Coordinates41.8272700, -86.3611200
Altitude212
CountryUnited States
Flint

#2 Flint

The largest city in Genesee County, Michigan.

Population94,968
Coordinates43.0125300, -83.6874600
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Start: South Oak Street (-86.3611, 41.82727)
End: East Court Street (-83.687592, 43.012684)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 320 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 50m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.02 gal
26.57 L · about $26.47
Round trip
$52.94
14.04 gal · 53.14 L
Estimated CO2
62.4 kg one way
Round trip: 124.8 kg / 275 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $26.47 $52.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $29.86 $59.71
Premium $4.65 $32.67 $65.34
Diesel $5.30 $37.23 $74.47

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 14, 2026

There is no time difference between Buchanan and Flint. The current time is 16:57:06.

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.