This 176.2-mile drive from Clinton Township, MI, to Wayland, MI, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 20 minutes on the road, with a fuel cost estimated around $28. The route primarily utilizes I-96 and US-131, making it a convenient option for a quick trip within the Midwest region. Given its manageable duration, it's well-suited as a day trip, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination. The overall feel is efficient, designed for getting you where you need to go with minimal fuss.
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
88.1 miles from Clinton Township, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
117.2 mi
2h 5m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
25.5 mi
27m
US 131
9.4 mi
10m
Paul B. Henry Freeway
7.8 mi
8m
South Groesbeck Highway
7.3 mi
11m
Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast
2.4 mi
3m
84th Street Southeast
2.3 mi
3m
West Superior Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 117.2 mi, about 2h 5m
Traffic on I-96
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,231 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,857
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clinton Township, MI and Wayland, MI.
1
Start on Red Oaks Drive
289 ft·17 sec·Red Oaks Drive
2
Turn left onto White Oaks Drive
0.2 mi·55 sec·White Oaks Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive
0.1 mi·16 sec·Moravian Drive
4
Turn right onto Harrington Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Harrington Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto M 97
7.3 mi·11 min·South Groesbeck Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn right onto East 11 Mile Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·East 11 Mile Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 696 West
8
Merge onto I 696
25 mi·27 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 96
18 mi·19 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
55 mi·58 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
45 mi·47 min·I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 46Toward M 6 West: HollandUse the slight right lane.
13
Continue on M 6
7.8 mi·8 min·Paul B. Henry Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Exit 11Toward Kalamazoo AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 11Toward Kalamazoo Avenue
16
Turn slight left onto Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast
2.4 mi·3 min·Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on 84th Street Southeast
2.3 mi·3 min·84th Street Southeast
18
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward US 131 South: Kalamazoo
19
Merge onto US 131
9.4 mi·10 min·US 131
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Exit 64Toward 135th Avenue, WaylandUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto West Superior Street
0.9 mi·2 min·West Superior Street
22
Arrive at destination
West Superior Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3-hour and 20-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Clinton Township to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you begin on the Walter P Reuther Freeway. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 117.2 miles on I-96, you'll have plenty of flexibility in timing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $28, and plan your refueling accordingly, perhaps before you hit the longer uninterrupted section on I-96. This is a drive where you can comfortably depart and arrive within the same day, so pack light and enjoy the direct route.
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 88.1 miles from Clinton Township, MI, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 117.2 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 39 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.1 miles or 1h 40m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wayland, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clinton Township, 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 Clinton Township, MI
This is one driving day of about 176.2 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Clinton Township, 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 96 for about 117.2 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 52.5 and 175.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
52.5 mi into trip|~1h 2m in|I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
151.8 mi into trip|~2h 49m in
Take the exit toward M 6 West: Holland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward M 6 West: Holland
7
160.5 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward Kalamazoo Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 11
Toward Kalamazoo Avenue
6
160.8 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Kalamazoo Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 11
Toward Kalamazoo Avenue
8
175.1 mi into trip|~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward 135th Avenue, Wayland
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 64
Toward 135th Avenue, Wayland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.79 one way
$61.57 round trip
$4.44/gal25.4 MPG avg62 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.80
$33.31
$66.62
premium
$5.37
$37.24
$74.49
diesel
$5.52
$38.31
$76.63
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: 61.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-25.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.9
0
$18.50
$8.46
Efficient EV
44.1
0
$15.42
$7.05
EV Truck/SUV
70.5
0
$24.67
$11.28
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 Jun 3, 2026
Origin
Clinton Township, MI
Evening
in Clinton Township on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
E 1 to 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 3 at 4:48AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 3 at 3:04AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Destination
Wayland, MI
Evening
in Wayland on Wednesday
Local time
5:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 6 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 3 at 4:48AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 3 at 3:04AM EDT by NWS Marquette 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
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
3h 20m 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?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway, with 91% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 117.2 miles on I-96, offering a consistent pace for a large portion of your journey. While the main roads are interstates, the inclusion of the Walter P Reuther Freeway and US-131 provides some variation in the highway experience. This highway-focused profile means you'll be covering ground efficiently, with the road generally remaining predictable and conducive to steady driving.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 117.2 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 52.5 miles in near I 96.
Driving Effort9/10
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 176.2 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 52.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 160.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
971 ft607 ft
Total Climb
470 ft
Total Descent
304 ft
Highest Point
971 ft
~50.3 mi in
Elevation Range
364 ft
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 Clinton Township, MI to Wayland, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 6 West: Holland along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 176.2 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 (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 117.2 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 12 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Wayland, 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. There are 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 52.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 151.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 160.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Wayland, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
