Origin
Farmington Hills, MI
Late night in Farmington Hills on Thursday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Farmington Hills, MI to Clare County, MI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 8m
Distance
167.8 mi
270 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 57m
★
6 AM
3h 9m
8 AM
3h 32m
10 AM
3h 17m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 18m
5 PM
3h 31m
8 PM
3h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Farmington Hills, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Clare County, MI
Mario Spencer
Trip Overview
The drive from Farmington Hills, MI to Clare County, MI covers 167.8 miles and takes about 3h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 23, US 10, I 96 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.2 miles on US 23. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.23 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
83.9 miles from Farmington Hills, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 8m highway drive covering 167.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 23 and US 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 78.2 miles on US 23.
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.
US 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.5 miles in near I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway.
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 167.8 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 2.5 miles (I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
2.5 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway
Merge onto I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
7 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 96
Merge onto I 96
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
159.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 49m in
|
US 127 BUS
Take the exit onto US 127 BUS toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 170
Toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Farmington Hills, MI to Clare County, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.
Flint
22.3 mi in
|
~26m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 23 | 78.2 mi | 1h 23m |
| US 10 | 58.1 mi | 58m |
| I 96 | 15.3 mi | 16m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| North Clare Avenue | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| North Coolidge Avenue | 2 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 61 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| West 12 Mile Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Farmington Hills, MI and Clare County, 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
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 straight / slight right lanes.
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
78 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
US 23
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 162B
Toward US 10 West: Midland
11
Continue on US 10
11 mi
·
11 min
·
US 10
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
47 mi
·
46 min
·
US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
13
Take the exit onto US 127 BUS
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 127 BUS
Exit 170
Toward BUS US 127, M 61: Harrison, Gladwin
14
Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Clare Avenue
15
Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Park Street
16
Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
1st Street
17
Turn left onto M 61
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
18
Continue on M 61
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 61
19
Turn left onto North Coolidge Avenue
2.0 mi
·
7 min
·
North Coolidge Avenue
20
At end of road, turn right onto West Larch Road
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Larch Road
21
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
1 min
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 83.9 miles from Farmington Hills, MI, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.9 miles or 1h 32m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clare County, 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 167.8 miles and 3h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 US 23 for about 78.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.9 mi from Farmington Hills, MI · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.9 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 78.2 miles.
Arriving in Clare County, MI
The final approach into Clare County, 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 Clare County, 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
$26.23 one way
$52.47 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.80 | $57.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $32.29 | $64.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.05 | $74.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.3 | 0 | $17.62 | $8.05 |
| Efficient EV | 42 | 0 | $14.68 | $6.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.49 | $10.74 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Clare County, MI
Late night in Clare County on Thursday
Local time
12:24 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°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 8m 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 Clare County, MI covers 167.8 miles and takes about 3h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23, US 10, 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 83.9 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 $26.23 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 15 significant decision points across 167.8 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 2.5 miles (I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
On the drive from Farmington Hills, MI to Clare County, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.
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