Origin
Farmington Hills, MI
Evening in Farmington Hills on Sunday
Local time
6:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Farmington Hills, MI to Benton Heights, MI
Drive Time
3h 14m
Distance
175 mi
282 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 38m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 24m
5 PM
3h 37m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Farmington Hills, MI
fish socks
Benton Heights, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
Connecting Farmington Hills to Benton Heights, this 175-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Michigan Midwest. You can expect a drive time of approximately 3 hours and 14 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. Budget about $27 for fuel to complete the transit comfortably. Since the route stays entirely within Michigan, you won't face regional transitions, but the shift from the Detroit suburbs toward the southwestern corner of the state provides a clear change in scenery. Whether you are heading out for business or a weekend getaway, the simplicity of the route allows for easy planning without the need for an overnight stop.
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
87.5 miles from Farmington Hills, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 79% of your travel spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate via M-14 and the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway before settling into the primary artery of the trip, I-94. Expect a consistent pace, particularly during the longest stretch of 136.1 miles along I-94 where you can settle into cruise control. While the drive is efficient, it lacks the technical challenges of winding local roads, functioning more as a reliable interstate connection. Be prepared for a steady, focused experience behind the wheel as you traverse the state’s midsection.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 136.1 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 0.9 miles in near West 12 Mile Road.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 175 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 0.9 miles (West 12 Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
West 12 Mile Road
Turn right onto West 12 Mile Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
5.2 mi into trip
|
~7m 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
5.6 mi into trip
|
~8m 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
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m 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
8
29.7 mi into trip
|
~36m 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
On the drive from Farmington Hills, MI to Benton Heights, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 14: Ann Arbor along the way.
M 14: Ann Arbor
12.5 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 136.1 mi | 2h 25m |
| M 14 | 21.9 mi | 23m |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | 5.8 mi | 6m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 2.7 mi | 2m |
| Red Arrow Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West 12 Mile Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Farmington Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| I 196 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 136.1 mi, about 2h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Farmington Hills, MI and Benton Heights, MI.
1
Start on Farmington Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Farmington Road
2
Turn right onto West 12 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 12 Mile Road
Use the none lane.
3
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
256 ft
·
4 sec
·
Orchard Lake Road
4
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 696 West: Lansing
5
Merge onto I 696
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
Use the none lane.
9
Merge onto I 275; I 96
5.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto M 14
17 mi
·
17 min
·
M 14
Use the none lane.
12
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.
13
Merge onto I 94
136 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 34
Toward I 196 North, US 31 North: South Haven, Holland, Grand Rapids
15
Merge onto I 196; US 31
0.3 mi
·
16 sec
·
I 196; US 31
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1
Toward Red Arrow Highway
17
Turn left onto Red Arrow Highway
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Red Arrow Highway
18
Arrive at destination
Red Arrow Highway
Trip Plan
To keep your drive smooth, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs during the 3-hour and 14-minute duration. Since the majority of your time is spent on I-94, try to time your departure to avoid peak commuting hours in the Farmington Hills area to ensure you hit the highway with minimal friction. Given the $27 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave will help you avoid unnecessary refueling stops. Because this is a manageable distance for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your start time based on your specific arrival needs in Benton Heights. Always keep an eye on traffic patterns along the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway, as this section serves as a critical connector for the first leg of your journey.
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 87.5 miles from Farmington Hills, MI, or about 1h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.1 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.5 miles or 1h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton Heights, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Farmington Hills, 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 Farmington Hills, MI
This is one driving day of about 175 miles and 3h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Farmington Hills, 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 136.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 87.5 mi from Farmington Hills, MI · 1h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
88 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 87.5 miles from Farmington Hills, 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 136.1 miles.
Arriving in Benton Heights, MI
The final approach into Benton Heights, 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 Heights, 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
$26.58 one way
$53.16 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
61 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $29.30 | $58.60 |
| premium | $4.80 | $33.04 | $66.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.88 | $77.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
| Efficient EV | 43.8 | 0 | $15.31 | $7.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70 | 0 | $24.50 | $11.20 |
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Benton Heights, MI
Evening in Benton Heights 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
23 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 14m 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 Farmington Hills, MI to Benton Heights, MI covers 175 miles and takes about 3h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, M 14, Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 87.5 miles from Farmington Hills, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.58 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 16 significant decision points across 175 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 0.9 miles (West 12 Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Farmington Hills, MI to Benton Heights, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 14: Ann Arbor along the way.
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Return Trip
Benton Heights, MI to Farmington Hills, MIPlan the drive back the other way.
176 mi
3h 16m
Continue From Benton Heights, MI
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