How far is Chief Lake, MI from Onekama, MI?
The driving distance from Chief Lake, MI to Onekama, MI is about 5.9 miles (9.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 5.2 miles (8.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 18m 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 09m.
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.
Village in Manistee County, Michigan, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chief Lake and Onekama.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chief Lake and Onekama.
-
1
Start on Chief Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Chief Road
-
2
Turn left onto Nine Mile Road
3 mi · 5 min · Nine Mile Road
-
3
Turn left onto Chippewa Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Chippewa Highway
-
4
Turn right onto Eight Mile Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Eight Mile Road
-
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto 1st Street
121 m · 12 sec · 1st Street
-
6
Turn left onto Main Street
1 km · 2 min · Main Street
-
7
Turn right onto Mill Street
32 m · 5 sec · Mill Street
-
8
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Mill Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chief Lake and Onekama.
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.
Nine Mile Road
Turn left onto Nine Mile Road
2.98 mi · 00h 05m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Chief Lake and Mostly Sunny near Onekama.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chief Lake to Onekama?
The road trip is about 5.9 miles (9.5 km) and usually takes 00h 09m 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?
Bear Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 3.9 miles from Chief Lake and 2 miles from Onekama.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 5.2 miles (8.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 0.7 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 8:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $0.79 one way or $1.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 1.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Chief Lake and Mostly Sunny near Onekama.
Stop Ideas Near Bear Lake
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 Bear Lake.
Kingsley, Michigan
Traverse City, Michigan
Cadillac, Michigan
Manton, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chief Lake and Onekama. Straight-line distance: 5.18 mi (8.34 km).
#1 Chief Lake
Chief Lake is a place in Michigan, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 44.3486100, -86.1023100 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Onekama
Township in Manistee County, Michigan
| Population | 407 |
| Coordinates | 44.3636100, -86.2050900 |
| Altitude | 181 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mill Street (-86.204978, 44.363607)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 9 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 05m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $0.79 | $1.58 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $0.89 | $1.79 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $0.98 | $1.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $1.11 | $2.23 |
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.