This 167-mile drive from Almena to Rochester Hills, Michigan, can comfortably be completed in about 3 hours and 20 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The route is primarily highway-focused, with 71% of it on major interstates and state roads. You can expect to spend around $25 on fuel for this journey. As both the origin and destination are within the Midwest region of Michigan, you'll be traversing familiar landscapes. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 104.8 miles, this trip is straightforward and efficient for a single day.
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
83.5 miles from Almena, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
104.8 mi
1h 52m
M 14
22.2 mi
23m
Telegraph Road
8 mi
12m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
6.9 mi
8m
I 275
5.3 mi
5m
County Road 652
2.9 mi
7m
M 59
2.8 mi
2m
East Square Lake Road
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 104.8 mi, about 1h 52m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Almena, MI and Rochester Hills, MI.
1
Start on 653
18 ft·6 sec·County Road 653
2
Turn left onto 375
1.3 mi·3 min·County Road 375
3
Turn right onto 652
2.4 mi·5 min·County Road 652
4
Turn left onto Red Arrow Highway
0.8 mi·1 min·Red Arrow Highway
5
Turn right onto 652
0.5 mi·1 min·County Road 652
6
Continue on 652
0.4 mi·1 min·North Main Street
7
Enter roundabout onto North Main Street
167 ft·9 sec·North Main Street
8
Continue on North Main Street
499 ft·13 sec·North Main Street
9
Enter roundabout
303 ft·17 sec
10
Continue
0.2 mi·31 sec
11
Merge onto I 94
105 mi·1 hr 52 min·I 94
12
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
4.7 mi·5 min·M 14
Exit 171Toward M 14: Plymouth
13
Keep right at fork onto M 14
2.4 mi·2 min·M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
15 mi·16 min·M 14
Exit 42Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, LivoniaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 North, I 96 West: FlintUse the right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 96 WestUse the straight lane.
17
Merge onto I 275
5.3 mi·5 min·I 275
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 165Toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 696: Port Huron
20
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 696: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto I 696
6.9 mi·8 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto M 10
0.4 mi·26 sec·John C Lodge Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·56 sec
Exit 18AToward US 24 North: Telegraph RoadUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on US 24
8.0 mi·12 min·Telegraph Road
Use the right lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 BUS
450 ft·11 sec·Franklin Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto US 24 BUS
1.2 mi·1 min·West Square Lake Road
Use the right lane.
27
Continue on I 75 BL; US 24 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·East Square Lake Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto BL I 75
0.8 mi·1 min·BL I 75
Toward I 75 North: FlintUse the slight left lane.
29
Merge onto I 75
1.1 mi·1 min·Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
30
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 77AToward M 59 East: UticaUse the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto M 59
2.8 mi·2 min·M 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Exit 44Toward Crooks RoadUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn left onto Crooks Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Crooks Road
Use the left / right lanes.
34
Turn right onto West Hamlin Road
1.0 mi·2 min·West Hamlin Road
35
Enter roundabout onto South Livernois Road
214 ft·4 sec·South Livernois Road
36
Continue on South Livernois Road
0.3 mi·29 sec·South Livernois Road
37
Turn right onto Dressler Lane
196 ft·13 sec·Dressler Lane
38
Turn left onto Downhill Lane
378 ft·21 sec·Downhill Lane
39
Turn left onto Dickson Lane
0.2 mi·51 sec·Dickson Lane
40
Arrive at destination
Dickson Lane
Trip Plan
For this 167-mile trip, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Rochester Hills. Since the drive is only about 3 hours and 20 minutes, you have plenty of flexibility for a single stop. Keep your fuel costs in mind, estimated at $25, and plan to refuel before you leave Almena or during your single stop if needed. A good tip for this route: pay attention to your navigation as you transition from I-94 to M-14, as these are key points where the road changes.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.5 miles from Almena, MI, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 104.8 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 37 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.5 miles or 1h 37m 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 35m
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 Almena, 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 Almena, MI
This is one driving day of about 167 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Almena, 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 I 94 for about 104.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 117.7 and 139.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
117.7 mi into trip|~2h 14m in|M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 42
Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
7
132.8 mi into trip|~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 275 North, I 96 West: Flint
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 275 North, I 96 West: Flint
7
133.2 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 96 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 96 West
8
138.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in
Take the exit toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port Huron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 165
Toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port Huron
7
139.5 mi into trip|~2h 39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 696: Port Huron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 696: Port Huron
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.11 one way
$52.22 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.67
$57.33
premium
$4.89
$32.14
$64.28
diesel
$5.61
$36.87
$73.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.1
0
$17.54
$8.02
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.61
$6.68
EV Truck/SUV
66.8
0
$23.38
$10.69
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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 16, 2026
Origin
Almena, MI
Night
in Almena on Saturday
Local time
10:51 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Rochester Hills, MI
Night
in Rochester Hills on Saturday
Local time
10:51 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
19 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
3h 20m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 71% of your journey taking place on major roads like I-94 and M-14. This means you'll experience stretches of consistent speed and efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted segment covers 104.8 miles, offering a good period of steady driving. While the specific road personalities aren't detailed, the profile suggests a practical, functional drive rather than a winding, scenic exploration. Expect a straightforward experience with minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 104.8 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and M 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 117.7 miles in near M 14.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 33 significant decision points across 167 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 117.7 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,017 ft733 ft
Total Climb
616 ft
Total Descent
560 ft
Highest Point
1,017 ft
~95.5 mi in
Elevation Range
284 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Almena, MI and Rochester Hills, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia, M 5 East and M 5 North: Port Huron.
M 14: Plymouth
110.6 mi in|~2h 6m|via M 14
M 14 East
115.3 mi in|~2h 11m|via M 14
M 14 East: Plymouth
117.7 mi in|~2h 14m|via M 14
Livonia
117.7 mi in|~2h 14m|via M 14
M 5 East
138.7 mi in|~2h 37m
M 5 North: Port Huron
138.7 mi in|~2h 37m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 167 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 104.8 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Rochester Hills, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 117.7 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Rochester Hills, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
