How far is Stronach, MI from Chief Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Stronach, MI to Chief Lake, MI is about 20.6 miles (33.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Township in Manistee County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Stronach and Chief Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stronach and Chief Lake.
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1
Start on 3rd Avenue
12 m · 4 sec · 3rd Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Water Street
768 ft · 26 sec · Water Street
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3
Turn straight onto Eastlake Road
2.7 mi · 4 min · Eastlake Road
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto Caberfae Highway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Caberfae Highway
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5
Turn right onto East Parkdale Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · East Parkdale Avenue
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6
Continue on Chippewa Highway
1.6 km · 1 min · Chippewa Highway
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Chippewa Highway
28 m · 2 sec · Chippewa Highway
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8
Exit the roundabout onto Chippewa Highway
7.8 mi · 11 min · Chippewa Highway
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9
Turn right onto Nine Mile Road
3 mi · 5 min · Nine Mile Road
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10
Turn right onto Chief Road
1.6 mi · 4 min · Chief Road
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11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Chief Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Stronach and Chief Lake.
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.
Chippewa Highway
Exit the roundabout onto Chippewa Highway
7.81 mi · 00h 11m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Stronach and Mostly Sunny near Chief Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Stronach to Chief Lake?
The road trip is about 20.6 miles (33.1 km) and usually takes 00h 31m 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?
Onekama is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.3 miles from Stronach and 10.3 miles from Chief Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.7 miles (20.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 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 7:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.75 one way or $5.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Stronach and Mostly Sunny near Chief Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Onekama
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 Onekama.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Stronach and Chief Lake. Straight-line distance: 12.68 mi (20.4 km).
#1 Stronach
Township in Manistee County, Michigan
| Population | 842 |
| Coordinates | 44.2133400, -86.2753600 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Chief Lake
Chief Lake is a place in Michigan, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 44.3486100, -86.1023100 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| Country | United States |
End: Chief Lake (-86.10231, 44.34861)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 33 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.75 | $5.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $3.10 | $6.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.40 | $6.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.87 | $7.74 |
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.