Origin
Southfield, MI
Evening in Southfield on Sunday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Southfield, MI to Clawson, MI
Drive Time
16m
Distance
8 mi
13 km
Drive Score
5/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 15m
★
6 AM
0h 16m
8 AM
0h 19m
10 AM
0h 17m
12 PM
0h 17m
3 PM
0h 17m
5 PM
0h 19m
8 PM
0h 15m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southfield, MI
fish socks
Clawson, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick transition between Southfield and Clawson, Michigan, you are looking at a brief 8-mile journey that typically takes about 16 minutes to complete. This trip is entirely local, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day outing that requires no overnight stops. Budgeting for fuel is straightforward here, as you can expect to spend roughly $1 on gas for the entire distance. Since both cities are located within the Midwest, you will remain in a familiar regional environment for the duration of your drive. Given the short duration and direct nature of the route, it serves as a highly practical connection rather than a traditional touring excursion.
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
4 miles from Southfield, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate using a combination of Southfield Road, West 14 Mile Road, and West 10 Mile Road to reach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 4-mile segment on Southfield Road, which dictates the primary flow of your travel. Because the path relies exclusively on local surface streets, be prepared for frequent stops and the typical rhythm of suburban road navigation. This drive offers a consistent, urban-suburban feel that requires your full attention on intersection changes and local traffic patterns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 5 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Southfield Road is the longest continuous segment at about 4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southfield Road.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 16m drive. You will face about 3 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Southfield Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (West 14 Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 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
|
Southfield Road
Turn left onto Southfield Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
West 14 Mile Road
Turn right onto West 14 Mile Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
8 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
South Main Street
Turn right onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Southfield Road | 4 mi | 7m |
| West 14 Mile Road | 4 mi | 8m |
| West 10 Mile Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Southfield Road
— 4 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southfield, MI and Clawson, MI.
1
Start on West 10 Mile Road
192 ft
·
11 sec
·
West 10 Mile Road
2
Turn left onto Southfield Road
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Southfield Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto West 14 Mile Road
4.0 mi
·
8 min
·
West 14 Mile Road
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto South Main Street
33 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the right lane.
5
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Since this is such a short, 16-minute trip, you have immense flexibility in your departure time, allowing you to bypass typical rush hour congestion if you prefer a smoother ride. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the entire journey covers only 8 miles of local road. Keep in mind that because you are transitioning between specific local thoroughfares, staying alert for turns is more important than managing long-distance fuel stops. One concrete tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with your turn sequence on Southfield Road before heading out, as the reliance on local roads means you will be making several directional changes to complete your trip efficiently.
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 4 miles from Southfield, MI, or about 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 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 8 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4 miles or 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clawson, 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 8 miles and 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Southfield, 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 Southfield Road for about 4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4 mi from Southfield, MI · 7m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4 miles from Southfield, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clawson, MI
The final approach into Clawson, 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 Clawson, 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
$1.22 one way
$2.43 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $1.34 | $2.68 |
| premium | $4.80 | $1.51 | $3.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.78 | $3.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.4 | 0 | $0.84 | $0.38 |
| Efficient EV | 2 | 0 | $0.70 | $0.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.2 | 0 | $1.12 | $0.51 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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
Clawson, MI
Evening in Clawson on Sunday
Local time
8:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°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
24 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
16m 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 Southfield, MI to Clawson, MI covers 8 miles and takes about 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Southfield Road, West 14 Mile Road, West 10 Mile Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4 miles from Southfield, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.22 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 straightforward 16m drive. You will face about 3 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Southfield Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles (West 14 Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8 miles (South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Southfield, MI to Clawson, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Clawson, MI
More trips to Clawson, MI
Explore more options from Southfield, MI or browse trips ending in Clawson, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.
Explore maps for Southfield, MI or Clawson, MI on MapSof.net.