This 122.9-mile drive from Troy, MI to Benton Heights, MI is a straightforward trip best suited for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 49 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. You'll primarily navigate on the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, Maple Island Road, and 120th Avenue. The drive offers a mixed experience, not a monotonous interstate grind, making it a comfortable option for a day trip without the need for an overnight stop. Its manageable length and predictable duration allow for flexibility in your schedule.
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
61.5 miles from Troy, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 49m. Total distance: 122.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive features a 40% highway share, blending faster freeway segments with more localized roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 43.2 miles on the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, offering a period of consistent cruising. As you progress, expect a change in pace as you transition from the freeway to roads like Maple Island Road and 120th Avenue. This mixed drive profile means you'll encounter varied driving conditions, keeping the journey engaging without being overly demanding.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gerald R Ford Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 43.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near Comstock Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.9 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (Comstock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (M 231 / M-231): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles (I 196 BL): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
3 mi into trip|~7m in|Comstock Avenue
Turn right onto Comstock Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
51 mi into trip|~1h 22m in|M 231 / M-231
Turn left onto M 231 / M-231
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
70.7 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|I 196 BL
Take the ramp onto I 196 BL toward US 31 South, BL I 196 West: Benton Harbor
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 31 South, BL I 196 West: Benton Harbo...
5
70.8 mi into trip|~1h 49m in|US 31; BL I 196
Merge onto US 31; BL I 196
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
120.3 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward Red Arrow Highway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 1
Toward Red Arrow Highway
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 Troy, MI to Benton Heights, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bl I 196 West: Benton Harbor along the way.
Bl I 196 West: Benton Harbor
70.7 mi in|~1h 49m|via I 196 BL
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Gerald R Ford Freeway
43.2 mi
46m
Maple Island Road
28.8 mi
39m
120th Avenue
12.1 mi
17m
Comstock Avenue
7.1 mi
17m
M-231
7.1 mi
8m
US 31
6.3 mi
8m
North Dickinson Avenue
5.1 mi
9m
112th Avenue
3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
Gerald R Ford Freeway
— 43.2 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Troy, MI and Benton Heights, MI.
1
Start on North Dickinson Avenue
2.1 mi·5 min·North Dickinson Avenue
2
Continue on West 11 Mile Road
0.9 mi·2 min·West 11 Mile Road
3
Turn right onto Comstock Avenue
7.1 mi·17 min·Comstock Avenue
4
Turn right onto 4 Mile Road
1.0 mi·2 min·4 Mile Road
5
Turn left onto North Dickinson Avenue
3.0 mi·4 min·North Dickinson Avenue
6
Turn right onto M 20
0.5 mi·40 sec·West 1 Mile Road
7
Continue on M 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·South Street
8
Continue on M 20
0.3 mi·37 sec·South Avenue
9
Turn left onto M 120
0.5 mi·1 min·South Division Street
10
Continue on M 120
2.5 mi·3 min·North Maple Island Avenue
11
Continue on M 120
6.9 mi·9 min·Maple Island Road
12
Continue on B-31
22 mi·30 min·Maple Island Road
13
Continue on B-31
3.0 mi·4 min·112th Avenue
14
Turn right onto Cleveland Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·Cleveland Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto M 104
0.8 mi·1 min·Cleveland Street
16
Turn left onto M 231
7.1 mi·8 min·M-231
Use the left lane.
17
At end of road, turn left onto M 45
0.3 mi·28 sec·Lake Michigan Drive
18
Turn right onto 120th Avenue
12 mi·17 min·120th Avenue
19
Turn right onto I 196 BL
0.3 mi·25 sec·Chicago Drive
20
Take the ramp onto I 196 BL
0.2 mi·22 sec·I 196 BL
Toward US 31 South, BL I 196 West: Benton Harbor
21
Merge onto US 31; BL I 196
6.3 mi·8 min·US 31; BL I 196
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 196; US 31
43 mi·46 min·Gerald R Ford Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 1Toward Red Arrow Highway
24
Turn right onto Red Arrow Highway
2.3 mi·3 min·Red Arrow Highway
25
Arrive at destination
Red Arrow Highway
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 49-minute trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and potentially avoid any local traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $19 for the 122.9 miles. A practical tip for this route: be mindful of the transition off the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, as the change in road type and speed limits can be quite noticeable, so adjust your driving accordingly.
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 61.5 miles from Troy, MI, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.2 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 27 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 36m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benton Heights, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Troy, 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 Troy, MI
This is one driving day of about 122.9 miles and 2h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Troy, 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 Gerald R Ford Freeway for about 43.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 61.5 mi from Troy, MI
· 1h 36m into the drive
The midpoint is around 61.5 miles from Troy, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Benton Heights, MI
The final approach into Benton Heights, 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 Benton Heights, MI.
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
Stovetop Coffee Roasters
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Holland, Michigan
Around the midpoint, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
$1 to $10
mile 70.3
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.21 one way
$38.43 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$21.10
$42.19
premium
$4.89
$23.65
$47.30
diesel
$5.61
$27.13
$54.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.9
0
$12.90
$5.90
Efficient EV
30.7
0
$10.75
$4.92
EV Truck/SUV
49.2
0
$17.21
$7.87
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Troy, MI
Morning
in Troy on Friday
Local time
6:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Benton Heights, MI
Morning
in Benton Heights on Friday
Local time
6:04 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
58°F
Allendale, MI
61 mi in
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 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 49m 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 Troy, MI to Benton Heights, MI covers 122.9 miles and takes about 2h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Gerald R Ford Freeway, Maple Island Road, 120th Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 61.5 miles from Troy, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $19.21 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.9 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (Comstock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (M 231 / M-231): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles (I 196 BL): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Troy, MI to Benton Heights, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bl I 196 West: Benton Harbor along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
