Origin
Clinton Township, MI
Evening in Clinton Township on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clinton Township, MI to Benton Harbor, MI
Drive Time
3h 50m
Distance
204.2 mi
329 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 16m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clinton Township, MI
fish socks
Benton Harbor, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
Spanning 204.2 miles across Michigan, this drive from Clinton Township to Benton Harbor is a straightforward cross-state journey. You can expect a travel time of approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, making it highly manageable as a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of about $31, the route is economically efficient for most travelers. Navigating through the heart of the Midwest, you will utilize a combination of I-94, the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, and M-14 to complete the transit. Whether you are heading out for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, the direct nature of this path ensures you reach the coast without unnecessary detours.
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
102.1 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is defined by its highway-focused profile, with 80% of your time spent cruising on major thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm, as the route features a significant 138-mile stretch on I-94, which serves as the backbone of your journey. Transitioning from the Walter P. Reuther Freeway onto M-14 helps bridge the gap before you commit to the long haul on the interstate. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience rather than a winding backroads tour. The character of the drive remains steady and predictable, allowing you to maintain a steady speed as you cross the state.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 138 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 204.2 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 32.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
32.8 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
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 1
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
8
33.2 mi into trip
|
~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
8
34 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
6
40.1 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
8
57.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 9m in
|
M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Towns Along This Route
Between Clinton Township, MI and Benton Harbor, MI, road signs point toward Toledo and M 14: Ann Arbor.
Toledo
34 mi in
|
~44m
M 14: Ann Arbor
40.1 mi in
|
~50m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 138 mi | 2h 27m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 23.7 mi | 25m |
| M 14 | 21.9 mi | 23m |
| South Groesbeck Highway | 7.3 mi | 11m |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| BL I-94 | 1.6 mi | 3m |
| Harrington Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 138 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton Township, MI and Benton Harbor, MI.
1
Start on Red Oaks Drive
289 ft
·
17 sec
·
Red Oaks Drive
2
Turn left onto White Oaks Drive
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
White Oaks Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Moravian Drive
4
Turn right onto Harrington Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Harrington Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto M 97
7.3 mi
·
11 min
·
South Groesbeck Highway
Use the none lane.
6
Turn right onto East 11 Mile Road
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
East 11 Mile Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 696 West
8
Merge onto I 696
24 mi
·
25 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
Use the none lane.
12
Merge onto I 275; I 96
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto M 14
17 mi
·
17 min
·
M 14
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
M 14
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 94
138 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
Use the none lane.
17
Take the exit onto I 94 BL
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
BL I-94
Exit 33B
Toward BL I-94: Benton Harbor, St Joseph, DOWNTOWN
18
Continue on I 94 BL
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East Main Street
19
Enter roundabout onto I 94 BL
81 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Main Street
20
Continue on I 94 BL
345 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Main Street
21
Turn right onto 6th Street
144 ft
·
6 sec
·
6th Street
22
Arrive at destination
6th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 50-minute drive, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic periods on the major freeways. Planning for at least one stop is a smart move to break up the long 138-mile stint on I-94 and keep your energy levels high. Since the entire route is easily doable in one day, you have the flexibility to leave early in the morning and reach Benton Harbor by midday. Keep your $31 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you hit the longest highway segments to avoid higher prices at busy interstate stations. Staying mindful of the 80% highway share will help you prepare for a focused, high-speed driving experience.
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 102.1 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138 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 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton Harbor, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton Township, 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 Clinton Township, MI
This is one driving day of about 204.2 miles and 3h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clinton Township, 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 138 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 102.1 mi from Clinton Township, MI · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.1 miles from Clinton Township, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 138 miles.
Arriving in Benton Harbor, MI
The final approach into Benton Harbor, 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 Benton Harbor, 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
$31.02 one way
$62.03 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $34.19 | $68.38 |
| premium | $4.80 | $38.55 | $77.10 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.37 | $90.73 |
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: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.44 | $9.80 |
| Efficient EV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.87 | $8.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.59 | $13.07 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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
Benton Harbor, MI
Evening in Benton Harbor on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 50m 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 Clinton Township, MI to Benton Harbor, MI covers 204.2 miles and takes about 3h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, Walter P Reuther Freeway, 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 102.1 miles from Clinton Township, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $31.02 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 204.2 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 32.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Clinton Township, MI and Benton Harbor, MI, road signs point toward Toledo and M 14: Ann Arbor.
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Return Trip
Benton Harbor, MI to Clinton Township, MIPlan the drive back the other way.
204.5 mi
3h 53m
Continue From Benton Harbor, MI
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