Trip from Riverside, MI to Ann Arbor, MI

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

2h 41m

Distance

145.5 mi

234 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 31m ★

6 AM

2h 42m

8 AM

3h 3m

10 AM

2h 49m

12 PM

2h 47m

3 PM

2h 50m

5 PM

3h 2m

8 PM

2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

The drive from Riverside, MI to Ann Arbor, MI covers 145.5 miles and takes about 2h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 94, I 196, I 94 BL for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 137.4 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.75 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

72.7 miles from Riverside, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 41m. Total distance: 145.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 41m highway drive covering 145.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and I 196. The longest continuous stretch is about 137.4 miles on I 94.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 10 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 137.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 196. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near Coloma Road.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 41m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Coloma Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | Coloma Road

Turn right onto Coloma Road

Navigation decision point

4

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the ramp

Navigation decision point

4

3.8 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the exit toward I-94 EAST: Detroit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I-94 EAST: Detroit

6

141.6 mi into trip | ~2h 33m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor

7

142.2 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | I 94 BL

Take the exit onto I 94 BL toward I 94 Business: Ann Arbor

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 172 Toward I 94 Business: Ann Arbor

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 94	137.4 mi	2h 27m
I 196	3.3 mi	3m
I 94 BL	3 mi	6m
Riverside Road	0.3 mi	<1m
South State Street	0.3 mi	<1m
Coloma Road	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 137.4 mi, about 2h 27m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Riverside, MI and Ann Arbor, MI.

1

Start on Riverside Road

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Riverside Road

2

Turn right onto Coloma Road

424 ft · 13 sec · Coloma Road

3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

4

Merge onto I 196; US 31

3.3 mi · 3 min · I 196; US 31

5

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward I-94 EAST: Detroit

6

Merge onto I 94

137 mi · 2 hr 26 min · I 94

Toward I 94: Detroit

7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

0.6 mi · 36 sec · I 94

Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor

8

Take the exit onto I 94 BL

3.0 mi · 6 min · I 94 BL

Exit 172 Toward I 94 Business: Ann Arbor Use the straight / slight right lanes.

9

Turn right onto South State Street

0.3 mi · 35 sec · South State Street

10

Arrive at destination

South State Street

Trip Plan

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.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 72.7 miles from Riverside, MI, or about 1h 19m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.4 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 32 miles or 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 72.7 miles or 1h 19m 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 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ann Arbor, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Riverside, 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 Riverside, MI

This is one driving day of about 145.5 miles and 2h 41m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Riverside, 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 137.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 72.7 mi from Riverside, MI · 1h 19m into the drive

city in Calhoun County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Battle Creek, MI

73 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

Kalamazoo, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Battle Creek, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.7 miles from Riverside, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.4 miles.

Arriving in Ann Arbor, MI

The final approach into Ann Arbor, 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 Ann Arbor, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 141

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1 mi

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 141

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.4 mi

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.5 mi

Misfit Society Coffee Club

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17342632228

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+17348004135

Visit website

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17342229202

Visit website

Sweetwater's Donut Mill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 50.3

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12693884613

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 90.6

Albion, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+15176299800

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 70.5

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12692237760

Visit website

Foundry Bakehouse and Deli

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 90.6

Albion, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+15176800092

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 40.3

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12694472129

Visit website

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17343692494

Visit website

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17347807060

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17345445450

Visit website

Black Diesel Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17344368355

Visit website

Venue Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17348229821

Visit website

Stirling Books & Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 90.6

Albion, Michigan

Hours: 12–6 pm

+15176297560

Visit website

Serendipity & The Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 80.5

Marshall, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15177814753

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 141

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Lillian Anderson Arboretum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 40.3

Kalamazoo, Michigan

+18002533602

Visit website

Bow in the Clouds Preserve

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 50.3

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+12693241600

Visit website

Zap Zone at BIG Best In Games - Ypsilanti

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 141

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+17349306670

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.75 one way

$45.49 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$24.98	$49.95
premium	$4.89	$28.00	$56.00
diesel	$5.61	$32.12	$64.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	43.7	$15.28	$6.98
Efficient EV	36.4	$12.73	$5.82
EV Truck/SUV	58.2	$20.37	$9.31

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Riverside, MI

Late night in Riverside on Friday

Local time

1:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ann Arbor, MI

Late night in Ann Arbor on Friday

Local time

1:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°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

20 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

2h 41m 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 Riverside, MI to Ann Arbor, MI covers 145.5 miles and takes about 2h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, I 196, I 94 BL. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 72.7 miles from Riverside, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.75 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.

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 straightforward 2h 41m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (Coloma Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles: Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.

The route from Riverside, MI to Ann Arbor, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Riverside, MI to Ann Arbor, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Ann Arbor, MI

Nearby Places

Misfit Society Coffee Club

Comet Coffee

Misfit Society Coffee Club

The Drip House Coffee

RoosRoast Coffee

Sweetwater's Donut Mill

BIGGBY COFFEE

BIGGBY COFFEE

Foundry Bakehouse and Deli

BIGGBY COFFEE

Comet Coffee

RoosRoast Liberty

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

Jabal Coffee House

Black Diesel Coffee

Venue Coffee

Stirling Books & Brew

Serendipity & The Brew

Leslie Science & Nature Center

Lillian Anderson Arboretum

Bow in the Clouds Preserve

Zap Zone at BIG Best In Games - Ypsilanti

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Riverside, MI

Ann Arbor, MI

Same local time

20 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 41m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

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