Origin
Saint Clair Shores, MI
Afternoon in Saint Clair Shores on Wednesday
Local time
3:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Saint Clair Shores, MI to Rochester Hills, MI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
38m
Distance
26.2 mi
42 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 45m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Clair Shores, MI
fish socks
Rochester Hills, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 26.2-mile journey from Saint Clair Shores, MI to Rochester Hills, MI is a quick trip, typically taking around 38 minutes. It's easily manageable as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stays. The route utilizes a mix of freeways and local roads, with a moderate highway share of 58%. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $4 for this drive. Navigating through the Midwest, specifically within Michigan, this trip offers a straightforward connection between two suburban areas.
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
13.1 miles from Saint Clair Shores, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 17m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive presents a mixed driving profile, blending the efficiency of freeway travel with the accessibility of surface streets. You'll spend a significant portion on highways, indicated by the 58% highway share, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 9.6 miles on the Walter P Reuther Freeway. As you progress, the road character shifts, transitioning from the faster pace of the freeways to the more controlled environment of Rochester Road. This dynamic offers a varied driving experience without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Walter P Reuther Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 9.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Jefferson Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 26.2 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: near the start (Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles (I-696 West to I-75 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
11.8 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
7
11.9 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I-696 West to I-75 North
Keep slight right at fork onto I-696 West to I-75 North toward I 75 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 75 North: Flint
7
17.8 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward Rochester Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward Rochester Road
6
18.2 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
Rochester Road
Turn right onto Rochester Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Saint Clair Shores, MI to Rochester Hills, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.
Flint
11.8 mi in
|
~15m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 9.6 mi | 10m |
| Rochester Road | 5.2 mi | 9m |
| North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| East 11 Mile Road | 1.9 mi | 4m |
| South Livernois Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| West Auburn Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| I-696 West to I-75 North | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Dickson Lane | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Walter P Reuther Freeway
— 9.6 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Saint Clair Shores, MI and Rochester Hills, MI.
1
Start on this road
144 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue
129 ft
·
5 sec
·
Jefferson Avenue
3
Turn right onto East 11 Mile Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
East 11 Mile Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward I 696 West
5
Merge onto I 696
9.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 18
Toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I-696 West to I-75 North
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I-696 West to I-75 North
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 75 North: Flint
9
Merge onto I 75
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Rochester Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto Rochester Road
5.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Rochester Road
Use the right lane.
12
Turn left onto West Auburn Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Auburn Road
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto South Livernois Road
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
South Livernois Road
14
Enter roundabout onto South Livernois Road
115 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Livernois Road
15
Continue on South Livernois Road
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
South Livernois Road
16
Turn right onto Dressler Lane
196 ft
·
13 sec
·
Dressler Lane
17
Turn left onto Downhill Lane
378 ft
·
21 sec
·
Downhill Lane
18
Turn left onto Dickson Lane
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Dickson Lane
19
Arrive at destination
Dickson Lane
Trip Plan
Given its short duration of under an hour, this drive is best tackled when you're ready to depart, allowing for flexibility. There are no recommended stops built into this route, so plan your own if needed for breaks or refreshments. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $4, so you won't need to worry about frequent refueling. A specific tip for this drive is to be mindful of the transition from the Walter P Reuther Freeway onto Rochester Road, as this is where the driving environment changes significantly.
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 13.1 miles from Saint Clair Shores, MI, or about 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.6 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 26.2 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.1 miles or 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rochester Hills, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Saint Clair Shores, 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 Saint Clair Shores, MI
This is one driving day of about 26.2 miles and 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Saint Clair Shores, 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 Walter P Reuther Freeway for about 9.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.1 mi from Saint Clair Shores, MI · 17m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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
Arriving in Rochester Hills, MI
The final approach into Rochester Hills, 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 Rochester Hills, 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
$4.10 one way
$8.19 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.50 | $8.99 |
| premium | $4.89 | $5.04 | $10.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.78 | $11.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.9 | 0 | $2.75 | $1.26 |
| Efficient EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.29 | $1.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.67 | $1.68 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
Rochester Hills, MI
Afternoon in Rochester Hills on Wednesday
Local time
3:22 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°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
2 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
38m 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 Saint Clair Shores, MI to Rochester Hills, MI covers 26.2 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Walter P Reuther Freeway, Rochester Road, North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.1 miles from Saint Clair Shores, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.10 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 16 significant decision points across 26.2 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: near the start (Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 11.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.9 miles (I-696 West to I-75 North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Saint Clair Shores, MI to Rochester Hills, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.
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