Connecting Buchanan to Farmington Hills, this 198-mile journey takes you across Michigan in approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is easily manageable as a single-day trip, making an overnight stay unnecessary unless your schedule requires one. Budgeting about $30 for fuel should cover your travel costs comfortably. Since the entire route stays within the Midwest, you can expect familiar terrain and consistent road conditions throughout. This trip is best suited for those looking for an efficient way to cross the state without navigating complex backroads.
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
99 miles from Buchanan, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
137.4 mi
2h 27m
M 14
22.2 mi
23m
Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
21.2 mi
22m
I 275
5.3 mi
5m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
2.9 mi
3m
Niles Buchanan Road
1.9 mi
3m
West 11 Mile Road
1 mi
2m
East Front Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 137.4 mi, about 2h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan, MI and Farmington Hills, MI.
1
Start on South Oak Street
29 ft·5 sec·South Oak Street
2
Turn right onto East Front Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East Front Street
3
Continue on Niles Buchanan Road
1.9 mi·3 min·Niles Buchanan Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward Niles-Buchanan Road
5
Merge onto US 31
21 mi·22 min·Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 31
0.8 mi·1 min·US-31
Toward US-31 NORTH, I-94 EAST: Holland, Detroit
7
Merge onto I 94; US 31
0.6 mi·35 sec·I-94/US-31
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
137 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 94
Toward I 94: DetroitUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
4.7 mi·5 min·M 14
Exit 171Toward M 14: Plymouth
10
Keep right at fork onto M 14
2.4 mi·2 min·M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 North, I 96 West: FlintUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 96 WestUse the straight lane.
14
Merge onto I 275
5.3 mi·5 min·I 275
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 165Toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 696: Port Huron
17
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 696: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 696
2.9 mi·3 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward Farmington HillsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Orchard Lake Road
Use the right lane.
21
Turn right onto West 11 Mile Road
1.0 mi·2 min·West 11 Mile Road
Use the right lane.
22
Turn right onto Farmington Road
443 ft·9 sec·Farmington Road
23
Arrive at destination
Farmington Road
Trip Plan
Planning for just one stop is usually sufficient to keep you refreshed for the duration of this drive. Because traffic patterns can shift quickly on major corridors like I-94, check local congestion reports before you depart to avoid unnecessary delays. With a relatively short transit time, you have the flexibility to leave whenever it best fits your schedule, though avoiding peak rush hours is always a smart move. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during that long 137.4-mile stretch, as your consumption will be highest while maintaining highway speeds. Use that single stop to stretch your legs and refuel, ensuring you arrive in Farmington Hills feeling alert and ready for your destination.
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 99 miles from Buchanan, MI, or about 1h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.4 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 44 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 99 miles or 1h 48m 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 56m
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 Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, MI
This is one driving day of about 198 miles and 3h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Buchanan, 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 137.4 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 25.5 and 191 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
25.5 mi into trip|~30m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94: Detroit
9
170 mi into trip|~3h 5m 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
185.1 mi into trip|~3h 21m 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
185.5 mi into trip|~3h 22m 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
191 mi into trip|~3h 28m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.96 one way
$61.91 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg69 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$33.99
$67.97
premium
$4.89
$38.10
$76.21
diesel
$5.61
$43.72
$87.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 69.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
59.4
0
$20.79
$9.50
Efficient EV
49.5
0
$17.33
$7.92
EV Truck/SUV
79.2
0
$27.72
$12.67
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Buchanan, MI
Morning
in Buchanan on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Farmington Hills, MI
Morning
in Farmington Hills on Sunday
Local time
10:22 AM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
17 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 40m 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?
You will spend roughly 85% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-94, M-14, and the Saint Joseph Valley Parkway. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 137.4-mile stretch along I-94, which defines the bulk of the driving experience. Expect a consistent, fast-paced rhythm as you transition between these major arteries. While the route is highly functional for travel, it lacks the winding character of rural backroads, focusing instead on speed and directness. You will find that the road maintains a predictable, interstate-style personality from start to finish.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.4 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 25.5 miles in near I 94.
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 20 significant decision points across 198 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 25.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 170 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buchanan, MI and Farmington Hills, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth and Livonia.
Detroit
24.2 mi in|~28m|via US 31
M 14: Plymouth
162.9 mi in|~2h 57m|via M 14
M 14 East
167.6 mi in|~3h 2m|via M 14
M 14 East: Plymouth
170 mi in|~3h 5m|via M 14
Livonia
170 mi in|~3h 5m|via M 14
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 40m. Total distance: 198 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.4 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 25.5 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 170 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 185.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Farmington Hills, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
