Connecting Benton Heights to Farmington Hills, this 176-mile journey typically takes about 3 hours and 16 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, you can easily handle this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $27 on fuel for the trek. The route keeps you within the Midwest, navigating across Michigan via major infrastructure. Since 83% of the drive consists of highway travel, it serves as a highly efficient way to move between these two points. Whether you are traveling for business or visiting family, this straightforward path offers a predictable travel experience.
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
88 miles from Benton Heights, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
136.8 mi
2h 26m
M 14
22.2 mi
23m
I 275
5.3 mi
5m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
2.9 mi
3m
Red Arrow Highway
2.3 mi
3m
West 11 Mile Road
1 mi
2m
Orchard Lake Road
0.7 mi
1m
I 196
0.7 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 136.8 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Benton Heights, MI and Farmington Hills, MI.
1
Start on Red Arrow Highway
2.3 mi·3 min·Red Arrow Highway
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
3
Merge onto I 196; US 31
0.7 mi·42 sec·I 196; US 31
4
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Toward I-94 EAST: Detroit
5
Merge onto I 94
137 mi·2 hr 26 min·I 94
Toward I 94: Detroit
6
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
4.7 mi·5 min·M 14
Exit 171Toward M 14: Plymouth
7
Keep right at fork onto M 14
2.4 mi·2 min·M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
8
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.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 North, I 96 West: FlintUse the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 96 WestUse the straight lane.
11
Merge onto I 275
5.3 mi·5 min·I 275
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 165Toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 696: Port Huron
14
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 696: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 696
2.9 mi·3 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward Farmington HillsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Orchard Lake Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto West 11 Mile Road
1.0 mi·2 min·West 11 Mile Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto Farmington Road
443 ft·9 sec·Farmington Road
20
Arrive at destination
Farmington Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour-plus travel time, planning for at least one dedicated stop will help you stay alert behind the wheel. If you want to avoid heavy traffic on these major thoroughfares, consider departing outside of typical morning or evening rush hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before starting the long 136.8-mile segment on I-94 to ensure you aren't forced to stop in an inconvenient location. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time to suit your personal schedule. Prioritizing a mid-trip break will make the transition from the longer interstate sections to the final highway segments much more comfortable.
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 88 miles from Benton Heights, MI, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 136.8 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 39 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88 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 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Farmington Hills, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Benton Heights, 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 Benton Heights, MI
This is one driving day of about 176 miles and 3h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Benton Heights, 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 136.8 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 148.1 and 169.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
148.1 mi into trip|~2h 41m 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
163.1 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
163.6 mi into trip|~2h 58m 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
169 mi into trip|~3h 4m 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
169.8 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
$27.52 one way
$55.03 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.21
$60.42
premium
$4.89
$33.87
$67.74
diesel
$5.61
$38.86
$77.72
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.6 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
52.8
0
$18.48
$8.45
Efficient EV
44
0
$15.40
$7.04
EV Truck/SUV
70.4
0
$24.64
$11.26
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 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 18, 2026
Origin
Benton Heights, MI
Morning
in Benton Heights on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Sunny
W 15 to 20 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 11:02AM EDT until April 23 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 11:02AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Destination
Farmington Hills, MI
Morning
in Farmington Hills on Sunday
Local time
8:00 AM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Rain Showers
W 13 to 17 mph76% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 11:02AM EDT until April 23 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 11:02AM EDT until April 20 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
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
15 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
3h 16m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding backroads. You will rely primarily on I-94, M-14, and I-275 to reach your destination. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel involves a long, 136.8-mile stretch on I-94, which defines the bulk of the experience. Because of the heavy interstate reliance, the drive maintains a consistent, fast-paced rhythm throughout the journey. You should be prepared for a utilitarian experience that emphasizes direct transit rather than scenic, technical driving.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 136.8 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 148.1 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 18 significant decision points across 176 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 148.1 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Benton Heights, MI and Farmington Hills, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth and Livonia.
M 14: Plymouth
141 mi in|~2h 33m|via M 14
M 14 East
145.7 mi in|~2h 38m|via M 14
M 14 East: Plymouth
148.1 mi in|~2h 41m|via M 14
Livonia
148.1 mi in|~2h 41m|via M 14
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 16m. Total distance: 176 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 136.8 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 Farmington 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 148.1 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 163.6 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 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Farmington Hills, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
