Trip from Benton Harbor, MI to Clinton Township, MI

Drive Time

3h 53m

Distance

204.5 mi

329 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 41m ★

6 AM

3h 54m

8 AM

4h 19m

10 AM

4h 3m

12 PM

4h 0m

3 PM

4h 4m

5 PM

4h 18m

8 PM

3h 46m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Benton Harbor, MI

fish socks

Clinton Township, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

Connecting Benton Harbor to Clinton Township is a straightforward trek across Michigan, spanning approximately 204.5 miles. You can expect a total drive time of about 3 hours and 53 minutes, making this a very manageable single-day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a fuel budget of roughly $31, the route is economically efficient for most travelers. You will navigate primarily through the Midwest, transitioning from the lakeshore area toward the more densely populated eastern side of the state. Because the trip is under four hours, it offers plenty of flexibility for your schedule. It is a practical, no-nonsense journey perfect for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary detours or complicated logistics.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

102.3 miles from Benton Harbor, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of your time spent on major interstates and expressways. You will spend the bulk of your journey on I-94, I-96, and M-14, which keeps your pace steady and consistent throughout the day. The most significant leg is the 137.4-mile stretch along I-94, which serves as the backbone of your transit. While you won't encounter technical mountain passes or winding backroads, the transition between these major corridors creates a predictable flow. Expect a high-speed, efficient driving experience that favors quick transit over meandering scenic routes, allowing you to cover the 204.5 miles with minimal gear shifting.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 137.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and M 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near I 94 BL.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 204.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3.5 miles (I 94 BL): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.6 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 142 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3.5 mi into trip | ~6m in | I 94 BL

Take the exit onto I 94 BL toward US-31 NORTH, I-94 EAST: Detroit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward US-31 NORTH, I-94 EAST: Detroit

4.6 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 94

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Detroit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94: Detroit

142 mi into trip | ~2h 35m in | M 14

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14: Plymouth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane. Exit 171 Toward M 14: Plymouth

149.1 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | M 14

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Exit 42 Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

188 mi into trip | ~3h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 61 Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron

Towns Along This Route

Between Benton Harbor, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia, Toledo and Port Huron.

M 14: Plymouth

142 mi in | ~2h 35m | via M 14

M 14 East

146.7 mi in | ~2h 40m | via M 14

M 14 East: Plymouth

149.1 mi in | ~2h 42m | via M 14

Livonia

149.1 mi in | ~2h 42m | via M 14

Toledo

182.5 mi in | ~3h 22m

Port Huron

188 mi in | ~3h 29m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 94	137.4 mi	2h 27m
M 14	22.2 mi	23m
I 96	9.2 mi	9m
Groesbeck Highway	7.4 mi	12m
Walter P Reuther Freeway	6.8 mi	7m
Jeffries Freeway (Express)	5.3 mi	5m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway	4.6 mi	4m
M 8	2.2 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 137.4 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Benton Harbor, MI and Clinton Township, MI.

Start on 6th Street

165 ft · 9 sec · 6th Street

Turn right onto Territorial Road

379 ft · 14 sec · Territorial Road

Turn right onto 5th Street

288 ft · 13 sec · 5th Street

Enter roundabout onto I 94 BL

158 ft · 8 sec · East Main Street

Continue on I 94 BL

1.8 mi · 3 min · East Main Street

Turn left onto I 94 BL

1.3 mi · 1 min · BL I-94

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 31; BL I 94

0.2 mi · 24 sec · US-31/BL I-94

Use the left / none lanes.

Take the exit onto I 94 BL

0.2 mi · 23 sec · I 94 BL

Toward US-31 NORTH, I-94 EAST: Detroit Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 31

0.4 mi · 29 sec · US-31

Toward US-31 NORTH, I-94 EAST: Holland, Detroit

Merge onto I 94; US 31

0.6 mi · 35 sec · I-94/US-31

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

137 mi · 2 hr 27 min · I 94

Toward I 94: Detroit Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14

4.7 mi · 5 min · M 14

Exit 171 Toward M 14: Plymouth Use the none lane.

Keep right at fork onto M 14

2.4 mi · 2 min · M 14

Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14

15 mi · 16 min · M 14

Exit 42 Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 96

9.2 mi · 9 min · I 96

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

5.3 mi · 5 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

Toward I 96 Express: Downtown Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Exit 186B Toward Davison Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on M 8

2.2 mi · 5 min · M 8

Use the none lane.

Continue on M 8

1.3 mi · 1 min · Davison Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec

Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 75

4.6 mi · 4 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 61 Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I-75 North to I-696 East

0.4 mi · 52 sec · I-75 North to I-696 East

Toward I 696 East: Port Huron Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 696

6.8 mi · 7 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 26 Toward M 97: Groesbeck Highway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East 11 Mile Road

0.5 mi · 59 sec · East 11 Mile Road

Turn left onto M 97

7.4 mi · 12 min · Groesbeck Highway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto Harrington Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · Harrington Street

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Moravian Drive

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto White Oaks Drive

0.2 mi · 52 sec · White Oaks Drive

Turn right onto Red Oaks Drive

289 ft · 12 sec · Red Oaks Drive

Arrive at destination

Red Oaks Drive

Trip Plan

To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly four-hour transit time. Since the route is heavily reliant on major highways, monitor local traffic reports before you leave, especially when approaching the busier stretches near your destination. Leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid congestion common on these high-traffic arteries. Given that your longest stretch is 137.4 miles on I-94, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before hitting the interstate to keep your $31 gas budget on track. Because this is a one-day trip, feel free to depart whenever is most convenient, as the relatively short duration gives you the luxury of an early start or a relaxed morning departure.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 102.3 miles from Benton Harbor, MI, or about 1h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.4 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 102.3 miles or 1h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton Township, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Benton Harbor, 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 Benton Harbor, MI

This is one driving day of about 204.5 miles and 3h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Benton Harbor, MI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 137.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 102.3 mi from Benton Harbor, MI · 1h 52m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ann Arbor, MI

102 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

Chicago, IL

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Michigan Center, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 102.3 miles from Benton Harbor, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.4 miles.

Arriving in Clinton Township, MI

The final approach into Clinton Township, 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 Clinton Township, MI.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.06 one way

$62.12 round trip

$3.86/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$34.24	$68.48
premium	$4.80	$38.61	$77.21
diesel	$5.64	$45.43	$90.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61.3	0	$21.47	$9.82
Efficient EV	51.1	0	$17.89	$8.18
EV Truck/SUV	81.8	1	$28.63	$13.09

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Benton Harbor, MI

Evening in Benton Harbor on Sunday

Local time

6:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clinton Township, MI

Evening in Clinton Township on Sunday

Local time

6:45 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

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

1 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

3h 53m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Benton Harbor, MI to Clinton Township, MI covers 204.5 miles and takes about 3h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, M 14, I 96. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 102.3 miles from Benton Harbor, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.06 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Between Benton Harbor, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia, Toledo and Port Huron.

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Return Trip

Clinton Township, MI to Benton Harbor, MI

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204.2 mi 3h 50m

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Trip from Benton Harbor, MI to Clinton Township, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Clinton Township, MI

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Benton Harbor, MI

Clinton Township, MI

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 53m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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