Skip to main content

Trip from Kalamazoo, MI to Hazel Park, MI

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 38m

Distance

140.3 mi

226 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 28m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 32m

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

county seat of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States

Kalamazoo, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Hazel Park, MI, MI

Hazel Park, MI

Muhammad Rasyad

Trip Overview

Kalamazoo to Hazel Park is 140.3 miles and takes about 2h 38m via Business Spur I-94, M 14, and I 96, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Michigan. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. You'll encounter a highway-focused profile, so expect consistent travel speeds for most of the 2.5-hour drive. With only one recommended stop and a clear path, this route is designed for efficiency.

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

70.1 miles from Kalamazoo, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Business Spur I-94 90.6 mi 1h 37m
M 14 22.2 mi 23m
I 96 9.2 mi 9m
Jeffries Freeway (Express) 5.3 mi 5m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 3.3 mi 3m
Amvets Memorial Highway 2.3 mi 2m
M 8 2.2 mi 5m
Davison Freeway 1.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Business Spur I-94 — 90.6 mi, about 1h 37m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kalamazoo, MI and Hazel Park, MI.

1

Start on North Park Street

303 ft · 7 sec · North Park Street
2

Turn right onto West Water Street

334 ft · 16 sec · West Water Street
3

Turn right onto North Church Street

346 ft · 20 sec · North Church Street
4

Turn left onto West Michigan Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Michigan Avenue
5

Turn right onto I 94 BS

1.2 mi · 1 min · King Highway
6

Turn right onto I 94 BS

2.3 mi · 2 min · Amvets Memorial Highway
7

Take the exit onto I 94 BS

91 mi · 1 hr 37 min · Business Spur I-94
Toward I 94 East
8

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14

4.7 mi · 5 min · M 14
Exit 171 Toward M 14: Plymouth
9

Keep right at fork onto M 14

2.4 mi · 2 min · M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
10

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14

15 mi · 16 min · M 14
Exit 42 Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 96

9.2 mi · 9 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

5.3 mi · 5 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Toward I 96 Express: Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 186B Toward Davison Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on M 8

2.2 mi · 5 min · M 8
15

Continue on M 8

1.3 mi · 1 min · Davison Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the slight left lane.
18

Merge onto I 75

3.3 mi · 3 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 39 sec
Exit 60 Toward John R Road, 9 Mile Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn straight onto North Chrysler Drive

240 ft · 7 sec · North Chrysler Drive
21

Turn right onto John R Road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · John R Road
22

Arrive at destination

John R Road

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 2h 38m duration, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Kalamazoo in the morning should get you to Hazel Park with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for just one stop, perhaps midway, to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite. The fuel cost is estimated at $22, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before you set off. A key tip for this route: keep an eye on traffic conditions as you approach the Detroit metropolitan area, as I 96 can experience congestion during peak hours, even with its highway-focused nature.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.1 miles from Kalamazoo, MI, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.6 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 31 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.1 miles or 1h 18m 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 6m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Kalamazoo, 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 Kalamazoo, MI

This is one driving day of about 140.3 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Kalamazoo, 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 Business Spur I-94 for about 90.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chelsea, MI

70 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

Battle Creek, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Michigan Center, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.1 miles from Kalamazoo, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Business Spur I-94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 90.6 miles.

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

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Water Street Coffee Joint (Downtown)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 6:45 am–7 pm

+12693732840

Visit website

Bagel Beanery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kalamazoo, Michigan

0.6 mi

Panera Bread

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Battle Creek, Michigan

1.2 mi

Best coffee break

Stamped Robin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+12697437744

Visit website

Cherri's Chocol'art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kalamazoo, Michigan

0.2 mi

Totally Brewed Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Kalamazoo, Michigan

0.2 mi

Water Street Coffee Joint (Downtown)

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 6:45 am–7 pm

+12693732840

Visit website

Bagel Beanery

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+12693854400

Visit website

Panera Bread

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12697198887

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15177952812

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12692237508

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12697192031

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Battle Creek, MI

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+12699793918

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15179900800

Visit website

Stamped Robin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 4 pm–12 am

+12697437744

Visit website

Cherri's Chocol'art

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+12697751424

Visit website

Totally Brewed Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+12693444500

Visit website

Water Street Coffee Roaster

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 8:30 am–3 pm

+12694882802

Visit website

Sweetwater's Donut Mill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12699791944

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17342366069

Visit website

Mocha House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8:30 pm

+12692163559

Shibam Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+12692548766

Visit website

The Fifth Wall Escape Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 3–10 pm

+12482914305

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12488507182

Visit website

Breakout Escape Rooms Royal Oak

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–11:30 pm

+15863596944

Visit website

Bow in the Clouds Preserve

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–5:30 pm

+12693241600

Visit website

Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+13138983007

Visit website

Maybury State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12483498390

Visit website

Connection Depot Thrift Store and SHALOM Coffee Connection

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: Closed

+12693650024

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 102.1 and 139.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

9
102.1 mi into trip | ~1h 52m 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
126.4 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express) toward I 96 Express: Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 96 Express: Downtown
7
131.7 mi into trip | ~2h 24m in

Take the exit toward Davison Avenue

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 186B Toward Davison Avenue
7
135.5 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in

Take the exit toward I 75: Flint, Toledo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
8
139.7 mi into trip | ~2h 37m in

Take the exit toward John R Road, 9 Mile Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 60 Toward John R Road, 9 Mile Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.93 one way

$43.87 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $24.08 $48.17
premium $4.89 $27.00 $54.00
diesel $5.61 $30.98 $61.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.1 0 $14.73 $6.73
Efficient EV 35.1 0 $12.28 $5.61
EV Truck/SUV 56.1 0 $19.64 $8.98

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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 20, 2026

Origin

Kalamazoo, MI

Morning in Kalamazoo on Tuesday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hazel Park, MI

Morning in Hazel Park on Tuesday

Local time

6:36 AM

EDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Chelsea, MI

70 mi in

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

3 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

2h 38m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive for the most part, with 78% of the journey on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 90.6 miles primarily on Business Spur I-94, offering a consistent pace. As you transition to M 14 and then I 96, the highway character continues, designed for efficient travel. Expect smooth sailing and minimal slowdowns, with the road primarily serving as a conduit between your origin and destination rather than a scenic tour. The focus is on covering ground quickly and directly.

78% 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: 90.6 mi on Business Spur I-94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Business Spur 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 102.1 miles in near M 14.

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 15 significant decision points across 140.3 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 102.1 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.4 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Kalamazoo, MI and Hazel Park, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth and Livonia.

M 14: Plymouth

95 mi in | ~1h 44m | via M 14

M 14 East

99.7 mi in | ~1h 50m | via M 14

M 14 East: Plymouth

102.1 mi in | ~1h 52m | via M 14

Livonia

102.1 mi in | ~1h 52m | via M 14

About the Cities

Starting in Kalamazoo, MI

Full guide →

Kalamazoo is a city in West Central Michigan. The city is home to more than 198,200 people (2020), with 355,000 in the metropolitan area, which includes neighboring Battle Creek. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. The city has a strong higher education presence, being home to Western Michigan University (with 17,334 students in Fall 2022), Kalamazoo College (a private, liberal arts institution), and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Because of the first downtown pedestrian mall in America, Kalamazoo got the nickname the "Mall City" in 1959. Kalamazoo also offers an interesting and walkable Downtown, with one-of-a-kind shops and restaurants.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 38m. Total distance: 140.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 90.6 miles on Business Spur I-94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Hazel Park, 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 102.1 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.4 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Hazel Park, MI before heading back.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Kalamazoo, MI or browse trips ending in Hazel Park, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.