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Drive or Fly: Benzonia, MI to Ann Arbor, MI?

Side-by-side comparison of driving versus flying for this route. Costs, time, and trade-offs at a glance.

Driving wins

Medium

Short enough to drive comfortably in a day. Airport overhead makes flying slower door-to-door. Available flights require a connection, adding time and cost.

Passengers:
Vehicle:

Find Your Vehicle (EPA fuel economy data)

Drive

Door to Door

4h 33m

Distance

235.9 mi

Total Cost

$80

CO2

95 kg

Cost Breakdown

Diesel$45
Hotel (1 room, 0 nights) $0
Meals (1 pax, 1 day) $35
+ No luggage restrictions or TSA lines
+ Comfortable one-day drive
+ Stop anywhere along the route
+ Have your own car at the destination
+ Likely faster door-to-door than flying
− Wear and tear on vehicle
− Fuel price fluctuations
Plan the drive

Fly

Door to Door

3h 34m

24m in the air

Air Distance

201 mi

Total Cost

$183

CO2

51 kg

Door-to-Door Timeline

Benzonia, MI → TVC 40m
Check-in & Security 90m
Flight 24m
Arrival & Baggage 30m
DTW → Ann Arbor, MI 30m

Cost Breakdown

Ticket (1 pax @ $128) $128
Rental car (1 day)$55

Airports

Benzonia, MI TVC — Cherry Capital Airport 27 mi, ~40m drive
Ann Arbor, MI DTW — Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport 20 mi, ~30m drive

Flight Data

Service

Connecting only

On-Time

87.4%

Cancellation

12.6%

+ Less physical fatigue
+ Predictable arrival time
− Airport security and check-in overhead
− May need a rental car at destination
− Luggage fees and restrictions
− Less flexibility for stops along the way

At a Glance

Drive Fly
Door-to-door time 4h 33m 3h 34m
Total cost (1 person) $80 $183
Carbon footprint 95 kg CO2 51 kg CO2
Flexibility High Low
Luggage Unlimited Restricted
Reliability Weather dependent 87% on-time
Drive data: OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices
Flight data: Statistical estimate
Airports: OurAirports
Confidence: Medium — airports identified, fares estimated

Costs are estimates. Actual flight prices vary by airline, date, and booking time. Drive costs based on OSRM routing, EIA fuel prices. Computed Jul 21, 2026.

Route Options

2 different routes between these cities.

Fastest
235.9 mi 4h 33m

via M 115, US 10, I 75; US 23

Alternative (+12 min)
245.3 mi 4h 45m

via US 127, M 115, US 10

Decided to drive? See the full trip plan from Benzonia, MI to Ann Arbor, MI with stops, fuel costs, and turn-by-turn directions.