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Trip from Ferndale, MI to Troy, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 27m

Distance

214.8 mi

346 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 14m ★
6 AM
4h 28m
8 AM
4h 54m
10 AM
4h 37m
12 PM
4h 34m
3 PM
4h 38m
5 PM
4h 53m
8 PM
4h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Ferndale, MI, MI

Ferndale, MI

fish socks

Downtown Troy, MI, MI

Troy, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 214.8-mile drive from Ferndale, MI to Troy, MI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 4 hours and 27 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-96, the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, and M-37, this route focuses heavily on highway travel. With a fuel cost estimated at $34, it's a budget-friendly journey. The drive is characterized by its efficient, highway-focused profile, making it a straightforward option for getting between these two Midwest locations. You'll find this trip is best suited for those prioritizing direct travel over extensive sightseeing.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

107.4 miles from Ferndale, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 133 mi 2h 22m
Walter P Reuther Freeway 16.1 mi 17m
M-37 12.8 mi 17m
North Stone Road 7.7 mi 10m
North Comstock Avenue 7.1 mi 17m
Warner Avenue 5.9 mi 8m
Alpine Avenue Northwest 5.1 mi 7m
Bailey Road 4.9 mi 6m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 133 mi, about 2h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ferndale, MI and Troy, MI.

1

Start on West 9 Mile Road

506 ft · 26 sec · West 9 Mile Road
2

Turn left onto Bermuda Street

340 ft · 20 sec · Bermuda Street
Use the left lane.
3

Turn left onto Vester Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Vester Street
4

Turn right onto M 1

0.7 mi · 1 min · Woodward Avenue
5

Keep slight right at fork onto Woodward Avenue

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Woodward Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
6

Turn slight right onto South Main Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7

Turn left onto West 10 Mile Road

0.3 mi · 40 sec · West 10 Mile Road
Use the left lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 696 West
9

Merge onto I 696

16 mi · 17 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 96

18 mi · 19 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

55 mi · 58 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

54 mi · 57 min · I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids Use the slight right lane.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37

6.6 mi · 7 min · I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit onto M 37

0.4 mi · 51 sec · M 37
Exit 30B Toward M 37 North: Newaygo Use the slight right lane.
15

Merge onto M 37

5.1 mi · 7 min · Alpine Avenue Northwest
16

Turn straight onto M 37

13 mi · 17 min · M-37
Use the left / straight lanes.
17

Enter roundabout onto M 37

12 ft · 0 sec · Newaygo Road
18

Continue on M 37

3.2 mi · 4 min · Newaygo Road
19

Turn left onto Bailey Road

4.9 mi · 6 min · Bailey Road
20

Turn right onto B-35

0.9 mi · 1 min · Squires Road
21

Continue on B-35

2.0 mi · 2 min · Alger Avenue
22

Turn left onto B-35

0.5 mi · 37 sec · West 128th Street
23

Turn straight onto B-35

1.2 mi · 1 min · Luce Avenue
24

Continue on B-35

0.9 mi · 1 min · West 118th Street
25

Turn straight onto B-35

5.9 mi · 8 min · Warner Avenue
26

At end of road, turn left onto M 82

2.3 mi · 3 min · South Warner Avenue
27

Continue on M 82

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Stewart Avenue
28

Turn left onto M 82

1.0 mi · 2 min · East Main Street
29

Turn right onto North Stone Road

7.7 mi · 10 min · North Stone Road
30

Continue on Jefferson Street

1.0 mi · 1 min · Jefferson Street
31

Turn right onto North Green Avenue

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Green Avenue
32

Turn left onto 4 Mile Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · 4 Mile Road
33

Turn right onto North Comstock Avenue

7.1 mi · 17 min · North Comstock Avenue
34

Turn left onto West 11 Mile Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · West 11 Mile Road
35

Continue on North Dickinson Avenue

2.1 mi · 5 min · North Dickinson Avenue
36

Arrive at destination

North Dickinson Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 27-minute duration, this 214.8-mile trip is ideal for a single day. Leaving in the morning, perhaps after the peak rush hour, will help you make the most of your travel time. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey, but be mindful of the $34 fuel cost and plan for a refueling if needed, especially before the 133-mile stretch on I-96. Keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Detroit metropolitan area.

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 107.4 miles from Ferndale, MI, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133 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 47 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 107.4 miles or 1h 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Troy, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, MI

This is one driving day of about 214.8 miles and 4h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Ferndale, 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 133 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and county seat of Ionia County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ionia, MI

107 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Clyde, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Ionia, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.4 miles from Ferndale, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 133 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Black Iron Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Howell, Michigan

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 46

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15172958259

Visit website

Coffee Barrel

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Holt, Michigan

1.2 mi

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Royal Oak

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Royal Oak, Michigan

2 mi

Black Iron Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 46

Howell, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15172958259

Visit website

Coffee Barrel

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 76.7

Holt, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+15176949000

Visit website

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Royal Oak

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12483077161

Visit website

Schuil Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 138.1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16169566815

Visit website

Apothecary Espresso and Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 15.3

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–10 pm

Visit website

Ground Control Coffee Roasters

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 15.3

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+12489872013

Visit website

Courageous Coffee Cafe & Bakery

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 107.4

Portland, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–1 pm

+15179754213

Visit website

Farmhouse Coffee & Ice Cream

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 15.3

Farmington Hills, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+12485627708

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12488507182

Visit website

The Fifth Wall Escape Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 3–10 pm

+12482914305

Visit website

Breakout Escape Rooms Royal Oak

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–11:30 pm

+15863596944

Visit website

Grand Rapids Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 138.1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+16164019441

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 15.3

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12484767928

Visit website

Camelot Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 138.1

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16164563232

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 92.1

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 151.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Bermuda Street

Turn left onto Bermuda Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | Woodward Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto Woodward Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.
7
90.8 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
8
144.5 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in | I 96; M 37

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37 toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
7
151.1 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in | M 37

Take the exit onto M 37 toward M 37 North: Newaygo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 30B Toward M 37 North: Newaygo

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.58 one way

$67.16 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $36.87 $73.74
premium $4.89 $41.34 $82.67
diesel $5.61 $47.43 $94.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.4 0 $22.55 $10.31
Efficient EV 53.7 0 $18.79 $8.59
EV Truck/SUV 85.9 1 $30.07 $13.75

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 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 17, 2026

Origin

Ferndale, MI

Late night in Ferndale on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Troy, MI

Late night in Troy on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 7 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Dense Fog Advisory

Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 11:05AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:27AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gaylord 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

6 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

4h 27m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for about 69% of this 214.8-mile journey. The route features a substantial longest stretch of 133 miles on I-96, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent speed and road conditions. While not a winding scenic byway, the combination of interstates and major highways like M-37 offers a predictable driving experience. This drive is best described as efficient, with the personality of the road remaining largely consistent throughout its 4-hour and 27-minute duration.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133 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 0.1 miles in near Bermuda Street.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 26 significant decision points across 214.8 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 0.1 miles (Bermuda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (Woodward Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.8 miles (I 96): 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 Ferndale, MI and Troy, MI, road signs point toward M 37 North: Muskegon and M 37 North: Newaygo.

M 37 North: Muskegon

144.5 mi in | ~2h 37m | via I 96; M 37

M 37 North: Newaygo

151.1 mi in | ~2h 44m | via M 37

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 214.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 133 miles on I 96. 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 Troy, 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 0.1 miles (Bermuda Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (Woodward Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 90.8 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Troy, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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