How far is Lake Orion, MI from Higgins Lake, MI?

The driving distance from Lake Orion, MI to Higgins Lake, MI is about 172.5 miles (277.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 140.4 miles (226 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 20m 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
172.47 mi
03h 10m
Flight
140.4 mi
225.95 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lake Orion.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
140.4 mi
Kilometers
225.95 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.47 mi
Kilometers
277.56 km
Drive Time
03h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Higgins Lake
Fri, Jul 17, 2:33 PM EDT
Return by in Lake Orion
Fri, Jul 17, 5:43 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lake Orion
2026-07-17T11:23
Arrive Higgins Lake
Fri, Jul 17, 2:33 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:10 AM to 11:10 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
10:40 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lake Orion
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
Kawkawlin
MI

Township in Bay County, Michigan

From Lake Orion
86.2 mi
01h 35m
To Higgins Lake
86.2 mi
01h 35m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
90°F
Today

Smoke

Starts
Fri, Jul 17 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph SSW
Destination
83°F
Today

Smoke

Starts
Fri, Jul 17 10:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Orion and Higgins Lake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lake Orion and Higgins Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on South Broadway Street

    941 ft · 26 sec · South Broadway Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Lapeer Road

    1 mi · 2 min · North Lapeer Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Clarkston Road

    3.9 mi · 7 min · West Clarkston Road

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Clarkston Road

    31 m · 2 sec · Clarkston Road

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto Clarkston Road

    4 mi · 7 min · Clarkston Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Sashabaw Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Sashabaw Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right toward I 75 North: Flint

    1432 ft · 35 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    21.6 mi · 23 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw

    52.4 mi · 56 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    17.1 mi · 17 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward North Higgins Lake State Park

    1702 ft · 47 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Federal Highway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · West Federal Highway

  14. 14

    Continue on North Higgins Lake Drive

    3.9 mi · 5 min · North Higgins Lake Drive

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South Old US-27

    2.3 mi · 4 min · South Old US-27

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Old US-27

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Orion and Higgins 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
16 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75
132 mi · 77%
I 75 North
21.9 mi · 13%
Clarkston Road
3.98 mi · 2%
North Higgins Lake Drive
3.9 mi · 2%
West Clarkston Road
3.86 mi · 2%
South Old US-27
2.31 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75

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 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 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.1 mi
140.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Kawkawlin
01h 35m from Lake Orion
Leave By
10:40 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Smoke leaving Lake Orion and Smoke near Higgins Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lake Orion to Higgins Lake?

The road trip is about 172.5 miles (277.6 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?

Kawkawlin is a useful midpoint, sitting about 86.2 miles from Lake Orion and 86.2 miles from Higgins Lake.

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

The direct path is about 140.4 miles (226 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.1 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 10:40 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.97 one way or $45.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Smoke around Lake Orion and Smoke near Higgins Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Kawkawlin

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 Kawkawlin and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Food stop 4.8 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 5 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 Kawkawlin.

BUS

Bay City, MI

7 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
BUS

Saginaw, MI

24 mi away
511 Johnson Street
RAIL

Flint station

75 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Owosso, MI

75 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lake Orion and Higgins Lake. Straight-line distance: 140.4 mi (225.95 km).

Lake Orion

#1 Lake Orion

Village in Michigan, United States

Population3,191
Coordinates42.7844800, -83.2396600
Altitude300
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Higgins Lake

Higgins Lake is a place in Michigan, United States.

Population0
Coordinates44.4836300, -84.7797500
Altitude357
CountryUnited States
Start: Lake Orion (-83.23966, 42.78448)
End: Higgins Lake (-84.77975, 44.48363)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 278 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 44m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.09 gal
23.04 L · about $22.97
Round trip
$45.93
12.18 gal · 46.08 L
Estimated CO2
54.1 kg one way
Round trip: 108.2 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.97 $45.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.90 $51.80
Premium $4.65 $28.34 $56.69
Diesel $5.30 $32.30 $64.60

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 · Jul 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Lake Orion and Higgins Lake. The current time is 11:23:27.

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.