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

The driving distance from Houghton Lake, MI to Macomb, MI is about 182.2 miles (293.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 50m 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
182.23 mi
02h 55m
Flight
143.59 mi
231.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Houghton Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
143.59 mi
Kilometers
231.09 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
182.23 mi
Kilometers
293.27 km
Drive Time
02h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Macomb
Thu, Apr 30, 12:11 PM EDT
Return by in Houghton Lake
Thu, Apr 30, 3:06 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Houghton Lake
2026-04-30T09:16
Arrive Macomb
Thu, Apr 30, 12:11 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:55 AM to 12:55 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:40 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Houghton Lake
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
Zilwaukee
MI

City in Saginaw County, Michigan, United States of America

From Houghton Lake
87.6 mi
01h 27m
To Macomb
94.7 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
54°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Stone School Road

    20 m · 3 sec · Stone School Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Houghton Lake Drive

    6.8 mi · 10 min · West Houghton Lake Drive

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto West Branch Road

    108.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min · West Branch Road

  4. 4

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    32.7 mi · 35 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75 Business, M 24: Pontiac, Lapeer

    3091 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    1159 ft · 27 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 75 Business South: Pontiac

    2951 ft · 58 sec

  9. 9

    Turn left

    27 m · 4 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left

    47 m · 7 sec

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Shimmons Road

    2725 ft · 2 min · Shimmons Road

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Shimmons Road

    2961 ft · 2 min · Shimmons Road

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Squirrel Road

    1370 ft · 38 sec · North Squirrel Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Tienken Road

    3.5 mi · 7 min · Tienken Road

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Tienken Road

    39 m · 3 sec · West Tienken Road

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto West Tienken Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · West Tienken Road

  17. 17

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Tienken Road

    49 m · 5 sec · East Tienken Road

  18. 18

    Exit the roundabout onto East Tienken Road

    3161 ft · 1 min · East Tienken Road

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Runyon Road

    46 m · 3 sec · Runyon Road

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto Runyon Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Runyon Road

  21. 21

    Continue on 25 Mile Road

    6 mi · 10 min · 25 Mile Road

  22. 22

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 25 Mile Road

    46 m · 4 sec · 25 Mile Road

  23. 23

    Exit the roundabout onto 25 Mile Road

    1.4 km · 1 min · 25 Mile Road

  24. 24

    Enter the roundabout toward the route

    82 m · 7 sec

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
25 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
0 merges, 10 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Branch Road
152 mi · 83%
25 Mile Road
6.93 mi · 4%
West Houghton Lake Drive
6.82 mi · 4%
Tienken Road
3.47 mi · 2%
West Tienken Road
1.58 mi · 1%
Shimmons Road
1.08 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

West Branch Road

Turn straight onto West Branch Road

108 mi · 01h 54m

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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.6 mi
143.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Zilwaukee
01h 27m from Houghton Lake
Leave By
12:40 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Houghton Lake and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Macomb.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 182.2 miles (293.3 km) and usually takes 02h 55m 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?

Zilwaukee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.6 miles from Houghton Lake and 94.7 miles from Macomb.

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

The direct path is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.6 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 12:40 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.25 one way or $48.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Houghton Lake and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Macomb.

Stop Ideas Near Zilwaukee

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Zilwaukee and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Food stop 8.5 mi away

Old City Hall

Bay City , MI
814 Saginaw St, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 4.5/5 660 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Bar,Restaurant
Bay City Hall
Meeting point 8.2 mi away

Bay City Hall

Bay City , MI
301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 3.7/5 14 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Zilwaukee.

BUS

Saginaw, MI

5 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Bay City, MI

14 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
RAIL

Flint station

56 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Owosso, MI

57 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Houghton Lake and Macomb. Straight-line distance: 143.59 mi (231.09 km).

Houghton Lake

#1 Houghton Lake

Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA

Population3,427
Coordinates44.3147400, -84.7647500
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Macomb

#2 Macomb

A city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population92,131
Coordinates42.7008700, -82.9590900
Altitude191
CountryUnited States
Start: Stone School Road (-84.764747, 44.314716)
End: Romeo Plank Road (-82.958996, 42.700872)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 293 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.43 gal
24.34 L · about $24.25
Round trip
$48.50
12.86 gal · 48.68 L
Estimated CO2
57.1 kg one way
Round trip: 114.3 kg / 252 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.25 $48.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.35 $54.69
Premium $4.65 $29.93 $59.85
Diesel $5.30 $34.10 $68.21

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Houghton Lake and Macomb. The current time is 09:16:30.

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.