Tompkins to Clinton Township is 104.8 miles and takes about 2h 7m via US 127, M 14, and I 96, with a fuel budget near $16 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, making it a straightforward hop between Midwestern locales. You'll encounter a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising. Given its relatively short distance and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
52.4 miles from Tompkins, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 127
34.1 mi
37m
M 14
22.2 mi
23m
I 96
9.2 mi
9m
Clinton Road
7.8 mi
10m
Groesbeck Highway
7.4 mi
12m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
6.8 mi
7m
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.3 mi
5m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 127
— 34.1 mi, about 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tompkins, MI and Clinton Township, MI.
1
Start on Tompkins Road
39 ft·3 sec·Tompkins Road
2
Turn right onto Woodard Road
0.1 mi·24 sec·Woodard Road
3
Turn left onto M 50
7.8 mi·10 min·Clinton Road
4
Take the ramp onto M 50
0.3 mi·35 sec·M 50
5
Merge onto US 127; M 50
1.7 mi·1 min·US 127; M 50
6
Take the ramp onto US 127
32 mi·35 min·US 127
Toward I 94, US 127: Detroit
7
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
4.7 mi·5 min·M 14
Exit 171Toward M 14: Plymouth
8
Keep right at fork onto M 14
2.4 mi·2 min·M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
9
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.
10
Continue on I 96
9.2 mi·9 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
5.3 mi·5 min·Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Toward I 96 Express: DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 186BToward Davison AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on M 8
2.2 mi·5 min·M 8
14
Continue on M 8
1.3 mi·1 min·Davison Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 75: Flint, ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 75 North: FlintUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 75
4.6 mi·4 min·North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 61Toward I 696: Lansing, Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I-75 North to I-696 East
0.4 mi·52 sec·I-75 North to I-696 East
Toward I 696 East: Port HuronUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 696
6.8 mi·7 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 26Toward M 97: Groesbeck HighwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto East 11 Mile Road
0.5 mi·59 sec·East 11 Mile Road
23
Turn left onto M 97
7.4 mi·12 min·Groesbeck Highway
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Turn left onto Harrington Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Harrington Street
Use the left lane.
25
At end of road, turn left onto Moravian Drive
0.1 mi·17 sec·Moravian Drive
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto White Oaks Drive
0.2 mi·52 sec·White Oaks Drive
27
Turn right onto Red Oaks Drive
289 ft·12 sec·Red Oaks Drive
28
Arrive at destination
Red Oaks Drive
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, leaving anytime between mid-morning and early afternoon should give you plenty of daylight to reach Clinton Township. Since it's a relatively short trip, you won't need to plan for extensive stops, but if you need a break, consider pulling over around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $16, and filling up before you leave Tompkins is a good idea. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 34.1 miles on US 127, so plan accordingly if you prefer to break up longer highway segments.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52.4 miles from Tompkins, MI, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 34.1 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clinton Township, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tompkins, 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 Tompkins, MI
This is one driving day of about 104.8 miles and 2h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Tompkins, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 127 for about 34.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 49.4 and 88.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
49.4 mi into trip|~56m 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
73.6 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
79 mi into trip|~1h 28m 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
82.8 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
88.3 mi into trip|~1h 42m in
Take the exit toward I 696: Lansing, 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 61
Toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.38 one way
$32.77 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.99
$35.98
premium
$4.89
$20.17
$40.34
diesel
$5.61
$23.14
$46.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.4
0
$11.00
$5.03
Efficient EV
26.2
0
$9.17
$4.19
EV Truck/SUV
41.9
0
$14.67
$6.71
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Tompkins, MI
Morning
in Tompkins on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
EDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clinton Township, MI
Morning
in Clinton Township on Tuesday
Local time
6:58 AM
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.
Temperature spread
20 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 7m 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 drive is about 59% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time at higher speeds before transitioning to surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 34.1 miles on US 127. Expect a transition from more open highway to areas with more frequent exits and intersections as you approach your destination. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so be prepared for varying speed limits and traffic patterns.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.1 mi on US 127.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 49.4 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 20 significant decision points across 104.8 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 49.4 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.6 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79 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 Tompkins, MI and Clinton Township, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia, Toledo and Port Huron - among others.
M 14: Plymouth
42.3 mi in|~48m|via M 14
M 14 East
47 mi in|~54m|via M 14
M 14 East: Plymouth
49.4 mi in|~56m|via M 14
Livonia
49.4 mi in|~56m|via M 14
Toledo
82.8 mi in|~1h 35m
Port Huron
88.3 mi in|~1h 42m
M 97: Groesbeck Highway
95.7 mi in|~1h 51m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 104.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.1 miles on US 127. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 Clinton Township, 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. There are 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 49.4 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 73.6 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79 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 Clinton Township, MI before heading back.
