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Trip from Southfield, MI to Ada, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 29m

Distance

133.8 mi

215 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 20m ★
6 AM
2h 30m
8 AM
2h 50m
10 AM
2h 37m
12 PM
2h 35m
3 PM
2h 38m
5 PM
2h 49m
8 PM
2h 24m

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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city in Oakland County, Michigan, United States

Southfield, MI

Wikimedia Commons

township in Kent County, Michigan, United States

Ada, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Southfield, MI to Ada, MI covers 133.8 miles and takes about 2h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, Grand River Drive Southeast for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.1 miles on I 96. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.92 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.

Midpoint

66.9 miles from Southfield, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 111.1 mi 1h 59m
Walter P Reuther Freeway 8.2 mi 8m
Grand River Drive Southeast 3 mi 4m
Cascade Road Southeast 3 mi 4m
Snow Avenue Southeast 2.4 mi 3m
John C Lodge Freeway 2.4 mi 2m
West 10 Mile Road 1 mi 1m
Thornapple River Drive Southeast 0.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 111.1 mi, about 1h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Southfield, MI and Ada, MI.

1

Start on West 10 Mile Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · West 10 Mile Road
2

Turn right onto Northwestern Highway

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Northwestern Highway
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward M 10 North
4

Merge onto M 10

2.4 mi · 2 min · John C Lodge Freeway
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 18C Toward I 696 West: Lansing Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto I 696

8.2 mi · 8 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto I 96

18 mi · 19 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

55 mi · 58 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

38 mi · 41 min · I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Exit 52 Toward M 50: Lowell Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn right onto Alden Nash Avenue Southeast

0.4 mi · 41 sec · Alden Nash Avenue Southeast
12

Turn left onto Cascade Road Southeast

3.0 mi · 4 min · Cascade Road Southeast
13

Turn right onto Snow Avenue Southeast

2.4 mi · 3 min · Snow Avenue Southeast
14

At end of road, turn left onto Grand River Drive Southeast

3.0 mi · 4 min · Grand River Drive Southeast
15

At end of road, turn right onto Buttrick Avenue Southeast

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Buttrick Avenue Southeast
16

Turn right onto Thornapple River Drive Southeast

0.5 mi · 1 min · Thornapple River Drive Southeast
17

Continue on Headley Street Southeast

351 ft · 19 sec · Headley Street Southeast
18

Turn left onto Ada Drive Southeast

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Ada Drive Southeast
19

Arrive at destination

Ada Drive Southeast

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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 66.9 miles from Southfield, MI, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.1 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 29 miles or 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 66.9 miles or 1h 13m 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 59m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Southfield, 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 Southfield, MI

This is one driving day of about 133.8 miles and 2h 29m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Southfield, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 111.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Haslett, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Haslett, MI

67 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

Howell, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lansing, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.9 miles from Southfield, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111.1 miles.

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 Coffee Stop

Brody's Be Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ada, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 133.8

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Taste Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Mason, Michigan

0.7 mi

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brighton, Michigan

0.9 mi

Brody's Be Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 133.8

Ada, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

Visit website

Taste Coffee Company

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 66.9

Mason, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15172200447

Visit website

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 28.7

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18102272233

Visit website

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 28.7

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

Visit website

Good Deeds Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 47.8

Fowlerville, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15172199046

Visit website

Black Iron Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 38.2

Howell, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15172958259

Visit website

Built & Brewed In Detroit Coffee Bar (Inside Michigan First Credit Union)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

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

Lathrup Village, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Apothecary Espresso and Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 9.6

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 9.6

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12484767928

Visit website

Harris Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 66.9

Okemos, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15173493866

Visit website

Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 66.9

East Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15178844800

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 86

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 123.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in | M 10 / John C Lodge Freeway

Merge onto M 10 / John C Lodge Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
7
3.8 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 696 West: Lansing

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 18C Toward I 696 West: Lansing
5
4.2 mi into trip | ~6m 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 / slight right lanes.
6
30.4 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
123.6 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in

Take the exit toward M 50: Lowell

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 52 Toward M 50: Lowell

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.92 one way

$41.84 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $22.97 $45.93
premium $4.89 $25.75 $51.50
diesel $5.61 $29.54 $59.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.1 0 $14.05 $6.42
Efficient EV 33.5 0 $11.71 $5.35
EV Truck/SUV 53.5 0 $18.73 $8.56

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Southfield, MI

Afternoon in Southfield on Saturday

Local time

1:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ada, MI

Afternoon in Ada on Saturday

Local time

1:41 PM

EDT

Current temp

46°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

22 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

2h 29m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

133.8 mi in 2h 29m, mostly highway — 111.1 mi of that is on I 96.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.1 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near M 10 / John C Lodge Freeway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 133.8 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 1.4 miles (M 10 / John C Lodge Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Southfield, MI to Ada, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 50: Lowell along the way.

M 50: Lowell

123.6 mi in | ~2h 14m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 29m. Total distance: 133.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.1 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Ada, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (M 10 / John C Lodge Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles (I 696 / Walter P Reuther Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Ada, MI before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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