Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
1h 40m
Distance
89.1 mi
143 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buena Vista, MI
Israyosoy S.
Farmington Hills, MI
fish socks
Connecting Buena Vista to Farmington Hills, this 89.1-mile journey is a straightforward transit across Michigan’s Midwest landscape. Expect a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it an easy day trip that requires no overnight stops. You will primarily utilize I-75, US-23, and I-96 to complete the trek. Budgeting around $14 for fuel should comfortably cover the entire trip in a standard vehicle. Since the drive is short and efficient, it serves as a practical link between these two Michigan communities rather than a destination-heavy excursion.
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
44.6 miles from Buena Vista, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
This trip is a highway-focused drive, with 95% of the route taking place on high-speed thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining steady interstate speeds, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being a 34.2-mile segment on I-75. Because of the heavy reliance on major road systems, the experience feels more like a functional commute than a winding scenic tour. You should anticipate a consistent rhythm behind the wheel as you transition between the three main highways. It is a predictable, direct path that prioritizes speed and efficiency over secondary road exploration.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
553 ft
Total Descent
307 ft
Highest Point
1,016 ft
~52 mi in
Elevation Range
412 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 23. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Perkins Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 89.1 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: near the start (Perkins Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.3 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto Perkins Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Enter roundabout toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 East: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Farmington Hills
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Buena Vista, MI to Farmington Hills, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 5 East: Port Huron along the way.
M 5 East: Port Huron
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 34.2 mi | 36m |
| US 23 | 30.9 mi | 33m |
| I 96 | 14.9 mi | 15m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| West 11 Mile Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Orchard Lake Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Outer Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Holland Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista, MI and Farmington Hills, MI.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto Perkins Street
At end of road, turn right onto South Outer Drive
Turn left onto M 46
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 96
Continue on I 696
Take the exit
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
Turn right onto West 11 Mile Road
Turn right onto Farmington Road
Arrive at destination
Given the 1-hour and 40-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on these major interstates is always wise. Since there are zero mandatory stops on the itinerary, you can easily complete the 89.1 miles in one go without the need for an extended break. Plan to fill your tank before you leave or upon arrival to keep your $14 fuel budget on track. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor traffic reports for I-75 and I-96, as these highways can become congested during morning or evening rushes. Keep your pace steady and enjoy the simplicity of this short Midwestern transit.
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.
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 44.6 miles or 49m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Farmington Hills, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Buena Vista, 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 Buena Vista, MI
This is one driving day of about 89.1 miles and 1h 40m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.6 mi from Buena Vista, MI · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 44.6 miles from Buena Vista, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Farmington Hills, 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 Farmington Hills, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.53 one way
$27.07 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.92 | $29.84 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.82 | $33.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.79 | $39.59 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.36 | $4.28 |
| Efficient EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.47 | $5.70 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Buena Vista on Sunday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
69°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Destination
Evening in Farmington Hills on Sunday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Return Trip
Farmington Hills, MI to Buena Vista, MIPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Buena Vista, MI or browse trips ending in Farmington Hills, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.
Explore maps for Buena Vista, MI or Farmington Hills, MI on MapSof.net.