How far is Flint, MI from Sands, MI?
The driving distance from Flint, MI to Sands, MI is about 393.9 miles (634 km), with a travel time of about 07h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 297.9 miles (479.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 18m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Census-designated place in Cheboygan County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Flint and Sands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flint and Sands.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn uturn onto East Court Street
77 m · 18 sec · East Court Street
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3
Turn right onto Saginaw Street
650 ft · 28 sec · Saginaw Street
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4
Turn right onto East Third Street
1868 ft · 1 min · East Third Street
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5
Turn left onto Chavez Drive
147 m · 14 sec · Chavez Drive
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 475 North
1175 ft · 29 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto UAW Freeway
9.7 mi · 10 min · UAW Freeway
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8
Merge slight left
38 mi · 41 min
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9
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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10
Keep slight left
117.6 mi · 2 hr 1 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
1913 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto US-2 West
1.1 km · 1 min · US-2 West
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13
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
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14
Continue on US-2 West
61.5 mi · 1 hr 11 min · US-2 West
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15
Turn right
17.3 mi · 21 min
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16
Turn sharp left onto M-28
35.1 mi · 42 min · M-28
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17
Continue on Cedar Street
836 ft · 29 sec · Cedar Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Munising
59 m · 11 sec · East Munising
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19
Exit the roundabout onto East Munising
2.2 mi · 5 min · East Munising
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20
Continue on M-28
35.8 mi · 42 min · M-28
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21
Continue on Cherry Creek Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Cherry Creek Road
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22
Turn right onto County Road 480
3.4 mi · 5 min · County Road 480
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23
Turn left
3.2 mi · 4 min
-
24
Turn left onto Flodin Road
624 ft · 33 sec · Flodin Road
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25
Turn left onto County Road NAP
156 m · 22 sec · County Road NAP
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · County Road NAP
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Flint and Sands.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
UAW Freeway
Keep slight left
118 mi · 02h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Flint and Partly Sunny near Sands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Flint to Sands?
The road trip is about 393.9 miles (634 km) and usually takes 07h 18m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Indian River is a useful midpoint, sitting about 196.8 miles from Flint and 197.2 miles from Sands.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 297.9 miles (479.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 96 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.42 one way or $104.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 123.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Flint and Partly Sunny near Sands.
Stop Ideas Near Indian River
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 Indian River.
Alanson, MI
Pellston, Michigan
Petoskey, Michigan
Cheboygan, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Flint and Sands. Straight-line distance: 297.92 mi (479.45 km).
#1 Flint
The largest city in Genesee County, Michigan.
| Population | 94,968 |
| Coordinates | 43.0125300, -83.6874600 |
| Altitude | 229 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sands
Human settlement in Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 2,308 |
| Coordinates | 46.4207700, -87.4068100 |
| Altitude | 366 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sands (-87.40681, 46.42077)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 634 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 54m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $52.42 | $104.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $59.12 | $118.23 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $64.69 | $129.38 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $73.73 | $147.45 |
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.