How far is Flint, MI from Houghton Lake, MI?

The driving distance from Flint, MI to Houghton Lake, MI is about 126.1 miles (202.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104.8 miles (168.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
126.06 mi
02h 18m
Flight
104.85 mi
168.74 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Flint.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.85 mi
Kilometers
168.74 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
126.06 mi
Kilometers
202.88 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 02h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Houghton Lake
Sat, Apr 18, 10:41 AM EDT
Return by in Flint
Sat, Apr 18, 12:59 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Flint
2026-04-18T08:23
Arrive Houghton Lake
Sat, Apr 18, 10:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:54 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Flint
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Pinconning
MI

City in Bay County, Michigan, United States of America

From Flint
63 mi
01h 09m
To Houghton Lake
63.1 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
70°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 16 mph SSW
Destination
59°F
Saturday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Flint and Houghton Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    28 m · 11 sec

  2. 2

    Turn uturn onto East Court Street

    77 m · 18 sec · East Court Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Saginaw Street

    650 ft · 28 sec · Saginaw Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East Third Street

    1868 ft · 1 min · East Third Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Chavez Drive

    147 m · 14 sec · Chavez Drive

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight toward I 475 North

    1175 ft · 29 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto UAW Freeway

    9.7 mi · 10 min · UAW Freeway

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    38 mi · 41 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac

    14.6 mi · 21 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Stone School Road

    20 m · 3 sec · Stone School Road

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Stone School Road

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
UAW Freeway
111 mi · 88%
M 55 West
14.6 mi · 12%
East Third Street
0.35 mi
I 475 North
0.22 mi
Saginaw Street
0.12 mi
Chavez Drive
0.09 mi
Longest Stretch

UAW Freeway

Keep slight left

62.9 mi · 01h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.3 mi
104.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pinconning
01h 09m from Flint
Leave By
1:54 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Flint and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houghton Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Flint to Houghton Lake?

The road trip is about 126.1 miles (202.9 km) and usually takes 02h 18m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Pinconning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63 miles from Flint and 63.1 miles from Houghton Lake.

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

The direct path is about 104.8 miles (168.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:54 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.78 one way or $33.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Flint and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houghton Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Pinconning

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

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

BUS

Bay City, MI

29 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
BUS

Saginaw, MI

47 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Tawas City, MI

57 mi away
1020 West Lake Street
RAIL

Flint station

97 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Flint and Houghton Lake. Straight-line distance: 104.85 mi (168.74 km).

Flint

#1 Flint

The largest city in Genesee County, Michigan.

Population94,968
Coordinates43.0125300, -83.6874600
Altitude229
CountryUnited States
Houghton Lake

#2 Houghton Lake

Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA

Population3,427
Coordinates44.3147400, -84.7647500
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Start: Flint (-83.68746, 43.01253)
End: Houghton Lake (-84.76475, 44.31474)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 203 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 31m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 06m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.45 gal
16.84 L · about $16.78
Round trip
$33.56
8.9 gal · 33.68 L
Estimated CO2
39.5 kg one way
Round trip: 79.1 kg / 174 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $16.78 $33.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $18.93 $37.85
Premium $4.65 $20.71 $41.42
Diesel $5.30 $23.60 $47.21

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Flint and Houghton Lake. The current time is 08:23:19.

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.