This 175-mile drive from South Haven, MI to Farmington Hills, MI is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 25 minutes on the road, making it ideal for a day trip. The route primarily utilizes major highways, with a fuel cost estimated around $27. You'll be traveling within the Midwest region, moving from one Michigan locale to another. This highway-focused journey is efficient for getting you from point A to point B without much 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
87.5 miles from South Haven, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
114.4 mi
2h 2m
M 14
22.2 mi
23m
M-43
10.4 mi
15m
County Road 215
5.8 mi
7m
I 275
5.3 mi
5m
Red Arrow Highway
4 mi
5m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
2.9 mi
3m
State Highway 43
1.5 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 114.4 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Haven, MI and Farmington Hills, MI.
1
Start on Phoenix Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Phoenix Street
2
Turn right onto I 196 BL
0.4 mi·48 sec·Broadway Street
3
Continue on I 196 BL
0.1 mi·17 sec·Phillips Street
4
Turn left onto Phillips Street
0.4 mi·46 sec·Phillips Street
5
Continue on M 43
0.3 mi·34 sec·South Bailey Avenue
6
Continue on M 43
1.4 mi·2 min·M-43
7
Enter roundabout onto M 43
171 ft·2 sec·M-43
8
Continue on M 43
8.9 mi·13 min·M-43
9
Continue on M 43
1.5 mi·2 min·State Highway 43
10
Turn right onto County Road 215
5.8 mi·7 min·County Road 215
11
Continue on Bangor Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Bangor Road
12
Turn right onto North Paw Paw Street
0.4 mi·1 min·North Paw Paw Street
13
Turn left onto East Saint Joseph Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Saint Joseph Street
14
Keep slight right at fork onto Red Arrow Highway
4.0 mi·5 min·Red Arrow Highway
15
Turn right onto 671
0.7 mi·57 sec·County Road 671
16
Turn straight onto M 51
290 ft·4 sec·43rd Street
17
Continue on M 51
385 ft·5 sec·M-51
18
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
19
Merge onto I 94
114 mi·2 hr 2 min·I 94
20
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
4.7 mi·5 min·M 14
Exit 171Toward M 14: Plymouth
21
Keep right at fork onto M 14
2.4 mi·2 min·M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
22
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.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward I 275 North, I 96 West: FlintUse the right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 96 WestUse the straight lane.
25
Merge onto I 275
5.3 mi·5 min·I 275
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi·58 sec
Exit 165Toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 696: Port Huron
28
Keep slight right at fork
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 696: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto I 696
2.9 mi·3 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
30
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 5Toward Farmington HillsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Orchard Lake Road
Use the right lane.
32
Turn right onto West 11 Mile Road
1.0 mi·2 min·West 11 Mile Road
Use the right lane.
33
Turn right onto Farmington Road
443 ft·9 sec·Farmington Road
34
Arrive at destination
Farmington Road
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour 25-minute duration, this drive is best suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 114.4 miles on I-94, plan your breaks strategically to stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the longer highway segments. The estimated fuel cost of $27 makes budgeting straightforward for this 175-mile trip.
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 87.5 miles from South Haven, MI, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.4 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 39 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 87.5 miles or 1h 46m 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 46m
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 South Haven, 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 South Haven, MI
This is one driving day of about 175 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from South Haven, 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 114.4 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 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 147 and 168.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
147 mi into trip|~2h 50m 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
162.1 mi into trip|~3h 6m 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
162.5 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
168 mi into trip|~3h 13m 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
7
168.8 mi into trip|~3h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 696: Port Huron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 696: Port Huron
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.36 one way
$54.72 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$30.04
$60.08
premium
$4.89
$33.68
$67.35
diesel
$5.61
$38.64
$77.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 61.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52.5
0
$18.38
$8.40
Efficient EV
43.8
0
$15.31
$7.00
EV Truck/SUV
70
0
$24.50
$11.20
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 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 16, 2026
Origin
South Haven, MI
Night
in South Haven on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
--
Unavailable
Destination
Farmington Hills, MI
Night
in Farmington Hills on Saturday
Local time
10:52 PM
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.
Road read
3h 25m 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?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 71% of the journey on major roads like I-94 and M-14. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving on I-94 for 114.4 miles, so be prepared for longer periods behind the wheel. The route is designed for efficiency, meaning you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and a steady pace. While not overtly scenic, it offers a practical way to cover ground across Michigan.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.4 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 147 miles in near M 14.
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 23 significant decision points across 175 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 147 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,000 ft615 ft
Total Climb
729 ft
Total Descent
494 ft
Highest Point
1,000 ft
~125 mi in
Elevation Range
385 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between South Haven, MI and Farmington Hills, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth and Livonia.
M 14: Plymouth
140 mi in|~2h 42m|via M 14
M 14 East
144.6 mi in|~2h 47m|via M 14
M 14 East: Plymouth
147 mi in|~2h 50m|via M 14
Livonia
147 mi in|~2h 50m|via M 14
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 175 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.4 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 147 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Farmington Hills, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
