Origin
Ann Arbor, MI
Evening in Ann Arbor on Sunday
Local time
5:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ann Arbor, MI to Buena Vista, MI
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
84.6 mi
136 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 29m
★
6 AM
1h 36m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 41m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 42m
5 PM
1h 50m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ann Arbor, MI
fish socks
Buena Vista, MI
Israyosoy S.
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Ann Arbor to Buena Vista, you are looking at a straightforward 84.6-mile journey through the Michigan Midwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 35 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via US 23 BUS, M 14, and North Main Street to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $13, it is an affordable way to travel between these two points. Since the drive is relatively short, you can easily complete the trip in one go without needing an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
42.3 miles from Ann Arbor, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused highway experience, as 95% of your travel time is spent on high-speed roads. The route features a significant 80.2-mile stretch on US 23 BUS, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Because this is a highway-focused drive, you will find consistent speeds that help you cover the distance efficiently. While the terrain remains within the Michigan region, the transition from Ann Arbor to Buena Vista feels like a steady progression along major arterial routes. You should prepare for a consistent, functional drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 23 BUS is the longest continuous segment at about 80.2 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
990 ft
604 ft
Total Climb
207 ft
Total Descent
480 ft
Highest Point
990 ft
~28.2 mi in
Elevation Range
386 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 BUS and North Main Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 23 BUS / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street
Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 23 BUS / North Main Street
Turn right onto US 23 BUS / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
3.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 23 BUS
Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS toward US 23 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward US 23 North: Flint
6
83.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 149
Toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
6
83.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
South Outer Drive
Turn right onto South Outer Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 23 BUS | 80.2 mi | 1h 26m |
| North Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| M 14 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South Outer Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Huron Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East Holland Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South State Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Perkins Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 23 BUS
— 80.2 mi, about 1h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor, MI and Buena Vista, MI.
1
Start on South State Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
South State Street
2
Turn left onto I 94 BL; US 23 BUS
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Huron Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto US 23 BUS
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
Use the none lane.
4
Take the ramp onto US 23 BUS
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
US 23 BUS
Toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit
5
Merge onto M 14; US 23 BUS
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
M 14; US 23 BUS
Use the none lane.
6
Keep left at fork onto US 23 BUS
80 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
US 23 BUS
Toward US 23 North: Flint
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 149
Toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
8
Enter roundabout onto M 46
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
9
Continue on M 46
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
10
Enter roundabout onto M 46
106 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
11
Continue on M 46
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn right onto South Outer Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Outer Drive
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto Perkins Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Perkins Street
14
Turn left
328 ft
·
23 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a quick 1-hour and 35-minute run, you have the advantage of being able to depart whenever fits your itinerary best. Since there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily manage the 84.6-mile distance without needing to plan for breaks. Keep in mind that since the vast majority of your time is spent on US 23 BUS, traffic patterns on that specific highway will dictate your actual arrival time. Make sure to check local traffic reports before you leave, as the heavy reliance on a single highway stretch means any congestion will impact your entire travel time. Budgeting $13 for fuel is a safe bet, allowing you to focus on the road ahead.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 42.3 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.2 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 42.3 miles or 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buena Vista, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ann Arbor, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ann Arbor, MI
This is one driving day of about 84.6 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ann Arbor, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 23 BUS for about 80.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 42.3 mi from Ann Arbor, MI · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
42 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 42.3 miles from Ann Arbor, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 23 BUS if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.2 miles.
Arriving in Buena Vista, MI
The final approach into Buena Vista, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Buena Vista, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.85 one way
$25.70 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.17 | $28.33 |
| premium | $4.80 | $15.97 | $31.94 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.80 | $37.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 29.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.88 | $4.06 |
| Efficient EV | 21.2 | 0 | $7.40 | $3.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 33.8 | 0 | $11.84 | $5.41 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Buena Vista, MI
Evening in Buena Vista on Sunday
Local time
5:25 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
S 15 mph
59% chance
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 35m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ann Arbor, MI to Buena Vista, MI covers 84.6 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23 BUS, North Main Street, M 14. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 42.3 miles from Ann Arbor, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.85 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 84.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (I 94 BL; US 23 BUS / East Huron Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (US 23 BUS / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles (US 23 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ann Arbor, MI to Buena Vista, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Buena Vista, MI
More trips to Buena Vista, MI
Explore more options from Ann Arbor, MI or browse trips ending in Buena Vista, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.
Explore maps for Ann Arbor, MI or Buena Vista, MI on MapSof.net.