Origin
Farmington Hills, MI
Evening in Farmington Hills on Sunday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Farmington Hills, MI to Buena Vista, MI
Drive Time
1h 40m
Distance
89.2 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 33m
★
6 AM
1h 40m
8 AM
1h 55m
10 AM
1h 46m
12 PM
1h 44m
3 PM
1h 46m
5 PM
1h 55m
8 PM
1h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Farmington Hills, MI
fish socks
Buena Vista, MI
Israyosoy S.
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway within Michigan, the 89.2-mile journey from Farmington Hills to Buena Vista is an ideal choice. You can comfortably complete this trip in about 1 hour and 40 minutes, making it a perfect one-day excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $14 on fuel for the round trip, which remains quite manageable for a short haul. Since both locations reside within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout your travel. This highway-focused drive is straightforward and efficient, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for intermediate stops. It serves as a reliable connection between these two Michigan communities for travelers who prioritize time-saving routes.
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 Farmington Hills, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient transit, as 95% of your travel occurs on major highways, including the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, I-96, and US-23. The road’s personality is defined by consistent speed and direct navigation, rather than winding detours or technical maneuvers. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm for the majority of the trip, highlighted by a significant 64.7-mile stretch on US-23. Because the route is almost entirely highway-bound, you will find it to be a purposeful, high-speed drive that prioritizes getting you to Buena Vista as quickly as possible. The transition between these roads is seamless, ensuring a predictable experience behind the wheel.
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.
US 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 96. 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
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 89.2 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 0.9 miles (West 12 Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 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
22.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint
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 148A; 147; 147B
Toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spe...
8
22.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 148B
Toward US 23 North: Flint
6
87.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m 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
88.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
South Outer Drive
Turn right onto South Outer Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Farmington Hills, MI to Buena Vista, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.
Flint
22.3 mi in
|
~26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 23 | 64.7 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 96 | 15.3 mi | 16m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| West 12 Mile Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Farmington Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| South Outer Drive | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Holland Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Perkins Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 64.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Farmington Hills, MI and Buena Vista, 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
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
Merge onto I 96
15 mi
·
16 min
·
I 96
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
Exit 148A; 147; 147B
Toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 148B
Toward US 23 North: Flint
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto US 23
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 23
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 149
Toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
11
Enter roundabout onto M 46
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
12
Continue on M 46
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
13
Enter roundabout onto M 46
106 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
14
Continue on M 46
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn right onto South Outer Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Outer Drive
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto Perkins Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Perkins Street
17
Turn left
328 ft
·
23 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid local peak traffic hours. You won't need to plan for lengthy breaks, as the duration is short enough to drive in one go without fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you hit the main highways, though with a $14 budget, a single fill-up should easily cover your needs. Because the route relies so heavily on US-23, check for any construction or congestion alerts on that specific stretch before you head out. Utilizing the highway-heavy infrastructure allows you to maintain a steady pace, turning what could be a chore into a simple, stress-free 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.
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 44.6 miles from Farmington Hills, MI, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.7 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 44.6 miles or 50m 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 Buena Vista, 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 89.2 miles and 1h 40m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 23 for about 64.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.6 mi from Farmington Hills, MI · 50m 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.
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 44.6 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 US 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.7 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
$13.55 one way
$27.10 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.94 | $29.87 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.84 | $33.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.82 | $39.63 |
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 | 26.8 | 0 | $9.37 | $4.28 |
| Efficient EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.49 | $5.71 |
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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Buena Vista, MI
Evening in Buena Vista on Sunday
Local time
6:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°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
29 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
1h 40m 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 Buena Vista, MI covers 89.2 miles and takes about 1h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23, I 96, Walter P Reuther Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.6 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 $13.55 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 89.2 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 0.9 miles (West 12 Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Farmington Hills, MI to Buena Vista, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.
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Return Trip
Buena Vista, MI to Farmington Hills, MIPlan the drive back the other way.
89.1 mi
1h 40m
Continue From Buena Vista, MI
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