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Trip from Niles, MI to Taylor, MI

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

Drive Time

3h 33m

Distance

181.7 mi

292 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 21m ★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 39m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m

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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city in Berrien and Cass counties of Michigan, United States

Niles, MI

Wikimedia Commons

city in Michigan, United States

Taylor, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Connecting Niles to Taylor, this 181.7-mile journey across Michigan is a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 33 minutes. Since the entire route sits within the Midwest, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two Michigan locales. Planning this as a single-day trip is very manageable, as it doesn't require an overnight stay to complete comfortably. With fuel costs estimated at around $28, the trip is quite budget-friendly for solo drivers or groups. You will rely primarily on I-94, M-51, and North 5th Street to navigate the distance. Overall, it is a practical, efficient drive that serves as a reliable link between the two cities.

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

90.8 miles from Niles, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 143.7 mi 2h 33m
M-51 27.3 mi 37m
North 5th Street 4.2 mi 7m
West Delaware Street 1 mi 2m
Wick Road 1 mi 2m
South Beech Daly Road 0.9 mi 1m
State Highway 51 0.9 mi 1m
West Prairie Ronde Street 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 143.7 mi, about 2h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Niles, MI and Taylor, MI.

1

Start on North 5th Street

4.2 mi · 7 min · North 5th Street
2

Continue on M 51

9.0 mi · 12 min · M-51
3

Continue on Spruce Street

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Spruce Street
4

Turn left onto North Paul Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Paul Street
5

Continue on West Prairie Ronde Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · West Prairie Ronde Street
6

Turn left onto M 51

0.3 mi · 37 sec · North Front Street
7

Continue on M 51

13 mi · 17 min · M-51
8

Continue on M 51

0.7 mi · 1 min · State Highway 51
9

Continue on M 51

1.0 mi · 2 min · West Delaware Street
10

Continue on M 51

0.2 mi · 23 sec · State Highway 51
11

Continue on M 51

5.7 mi · 7 min · M-51
12

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 94 East
13

Merge onto I 94

114 mi · 2 hr 2 min · I 94
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

29 mi · 31 min · I 94
Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 200 Toward Ecorse Road Use the slight right lane.
16

Turn straight onto Ecorse Road

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Ecorse Road
17

Turn right onto Beech-Daly Road

321 ft · 6 sec · Beech-Daly Road
18

Continue on South Beech Daly Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Beech Daly Road
19

Turn left onto Wick Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · Wick Road
20

Arrive at destination

Wick Road

Trip Plan

Because this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to complete the journey in one push, though planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the monotony of the long I-94 stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the interstate, as the 143.7-mile highway segment is where you will spend the bulk of your time. If you want to avoid peak traffic, check local road reports for the I-94 corridor before you head out. Utilizing your single planned stop wisely will help keep you refreshed for the final leg of your 181.7-mile trek into Taylor.

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 90.8 miles from Niles, MI, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.7 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 40 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 90.8 miles or 1h 53m 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 55m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Niles, 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 Niles, MI

This is one driving day of about 181.7 miles and 3h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Niles, 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 143.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Oak Park, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Oak Park, MI

91 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.

Popular next leg

Oak Park, MI to Taylor, MI

109.8 mi · 2h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Paw Paw, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Oak Park, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 90.8 miles from Niles, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.7 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 Restaurant

Zingerman's Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 155.7

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17349296060

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jackson, Michigan

0.8 mi

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Black Diesel Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 155.7

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17344368355

Visit website

Socotra Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1.9 mi

Serendipity & The Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marshall, Michigan

1.7 mi

Zingerman's Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 155.7

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+17349296060

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 116.8

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15179900800

Visit website

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 155.7

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17342229202

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.9

Battle Creek, MI

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+12699793918

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 116.8

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15177952812

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.9

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+12692237508

Visit website

Panera Bread

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77.9

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+12697198887

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 155.7

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+17348004135

Visit website

Battlecreek Coffee Roasters

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 77.9

Battle Creek, Michigan

Visit website

Black Diesel Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 155.7

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–7 pm

+17344368355

Visit website

Socotra Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 155.7

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17349295672

Visit website

Serendipity & The Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 90.8

Marshall, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15177814753

Visit website

Sweetwater's Donut Mill

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 77.9

Battle Creek, Michigan

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+12699791944

Visit website

Venue Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 155.7

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17348229821

Visit website

MI Boba

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 51.9

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+12697437742

Visit website

Vertex Coffee Roasters Ann Arbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 155.7

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17347807060

Visit website

Zap Zone at BIG Best In Games - Ypsilanti

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 155.7

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+17349306670

Visit website

Airborne Adventure Park - Taylor, MI

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 181.7

Taylor, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17342252233

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 155.7

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Lillian Anderson Arboretum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 51.9

Kalamazoo, Michigan

+18002533602

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 14.6 and 180.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
14.6 mi into trip | ~23m in | M 51 / North Front Street

Turn left onto M 51 / North Front Street

Navigation decision point

8
149.7 mi into trip | ~2h 56m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor
7
179 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in

Take the exit toward Ecorse Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 200 Toward Ecorse Road
4
179.7 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in | Beech-Daly Road

Turn right onto Beech-Daly Road

Navigation decision point

4
180.7 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in | Wick Road

Turn left onto Wick Road

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.41 one way

$56.81 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 64 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $31.19 $62.38
premium $4.89 $34.97 $69.93
diesel $5.61 $40.12 $80.23

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: 63.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 54.5 0 $19.08 $8.72
Efficient EV 45.4 0 $15.90 $7.27
EV Truck/SUV 72.7 0 $25.44 $11.63

Gas CO2

64 kg

EV CO2

21 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

Niles, MI

Late night in Niles on Sunday

Local time

3:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Taylor, MI

Late night in Taylor on Sunday

Local time

3:42 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

1 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 33m 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?

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 80% of your travel time will be spent on major roads. The core of your journey is a long, 143.7-mile stretch on I-94, which dictates the pace of the drive. While the local segments on M-51 and North 5th Street provide a change of scenery, the majority of your time behind the wheel will be spent cruising on the interstate. This setup creates a consistent, high-speed flow that minimizes the need for frequent navigation adjustments. You should prepare for a drive that prioritizes efficiency and steady momentum over winding backroads or technical maneuvers.

80% 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: 143.7 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and M-51. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 14.6 miles in near M 51 / North Front Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 33m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 14.6 miles (M 51 / North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 149.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179 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.

On the drive from Niles, MI to Taylor, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Arbor along the way.

Ann Arbor

149.7 mi in | ~2h 56m | via I 94

About the Cities

Starting in Niles, MI

Full guide →

Niles is a city of 11,000 people (2019) in West Michigan. Niles lies on the banks of the St. Joseph River, at the site of the French Fort St. Joseph, which was built in 1697 to protect the Jesuit Mission established in 1691. Between 1820 and 1865, Niles was an integral part of the Underground Railroad, helping slaves escape from as far south as New Orleans through the Heartland, and eventually into Canada.

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 3h 33m. Total distance: 181.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 143.7 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 14.6 miles (M 51 / North Front Street): Navigation decision point; at 149.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Taylor, 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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