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Trip from Troy, MI to Benton Heights, MI

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

Drive Time

2h 49m

Distance

122.9 mi

198 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 38m ★
6 AM
2h 49m
8 AM
3h 11m
10 AM
2h 57m
12 PM
2h 55m
3 PM
2h 58m
5 PM
3h 10m
8 PM
2h 43m

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 Troy, MI, MI

Troy, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Benton Heights, MI, MI

Benton Heights, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

This 122.9-mile drive from Troy, MI to Benton Heights, MI is a straightforward trip best suited for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 49 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, it's an economical journey through the Midwest. You'll primarily navigate on the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, Maple Island Road, and 120th Avenue. The drive offers a mixed experience, not a monotonous interstate grind, making it a comfortable option for a day trip without the need for an overnight stop. Its manageable length and predictable duration allow for flexibility in your schedule.

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

61.5 miles from Troy, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Gerald R Ford Freeway 43.2 mi 46m
Maple Island Road 28.8 mi 39m
120th Avenue 12.1 mi 17m
Comstock Avenue 7.1 mi 17m
M-231 7.1 mi 8m
US 31 6.3 mi 8m
North Dickinson Avenue 5.1 mi 9m
112th Avenue 3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Gerald R Ford Freeway — 43.2 mi, about 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Dickinson Avenue

2.1 mi · 5 min · North Dickinson Avenue
2

Continue on West 11 Mile Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · West 11 Mile Road
3

Turn right onto Comstock Avenue

7.1 mi · 17 min · Comstock Avenue
4

Turn right onto 4 Mile Road

1.0 mi · 2 min · 4 Mile Road
5

Turn left onto North Dickinson Avenue

3.0 mi · 4 min · North Dickinson Avenue
6

Turn right onto M 20

0.5 mi · 40 sec · West 1 Mile Road
7

Continue on M 20

0.3 mi · 24 sec · South Street
8

Continue on M 20

0.3 mi · 37 sec · South Avenue
9

Turn left onto M 120

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Division Street
10

Continue on M 120

2.5 mi · 3 min · North Maple Island Avenue
11

Continue on M 120

6.9 mi · 9 min · Maple Island Road
12

Continue on B-31

22 mi · 30 min · Maple Island Road
13

Continue on B-31

3.0 mi · 4 min · 112th Avenue
14

Turn right onto Cleveland Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Cleveland Street
15

Keep slight left at fork onto M 104

0.8 mi · 1 min · Cleveland Street
16

Turn left onto M 231

7.1 mi · 8 min · M-231
Use the left lane.
17

At end of road, turn left onto M 45

0.3 mi · 28 sec · Lake Michigan Drive
18

Turn right onto 120th Avenue

12 mi · 17 min · 120th Avenue
19

Turn right onto I 196 BL

0.3 mi · 25 sec · Chicago Drive
20

Take the ramp onto I 196 BL

0.2 mi · 22 sec · I 196 BL
Toward US 31 South, BL I 196 West: Benton Harbor
21

Merge onto US 31; BL I 196

6.3 mi · 8 min · US 31; BL I 196
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
22

Merge onto I 196; US 31

43 mi · 46 min · Gerald R Ford Freeway
23

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Exit 1 Toward Red Arrow Highway
24

Turn right onto Red Arrow Highway

2.3 mi · 3 min · Red Arrow Highway
25

Arrive at destination

Red Arrow Highway

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 49-minute trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day and potentially avoid any local traffic. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $19 for the 122.9 miles. A practical tip for this route: be mindful of the transition off the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, as the change in road type and speed limits can be quite noticeable, so adjust your driving accordingly.

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 61.5 miles from Troy, MI, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.2 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 27 miles or 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 61.5 miles or 1h 36m 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 23m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Troy, 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 Troy, MI

This is one driving day of about 122.9 miles and 2h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Troy, 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 Gerald R Ford Freeway for about 43.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

census designated place in Ottawa County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Allendale, MI

61 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

Holton, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Allendale, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 61.5 miles from Troy, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 coffee break · around the midpoint

Stovetop Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Holland, Michigan

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset · 1h 37m in / 1h 12m to go 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16168555353

Visit website

Stovetop Coffee Roasters

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Holland, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+16168555353

Visit website

Uncommon Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Final third 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately

Saugatuck, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+12698573333

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 3 and 120.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
3 mi into trip | ~7m in | Comstock Avenue

Turn right onto Comstock Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
51 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | M 231 / M-231

Turn left onto M 231 / M-231

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
70.7 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | I 196 BL

Take the ramp onto I 196 BL toward US 31 South, BL I 196 West: Benton Harbor

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 31 South, BL I 196 West: Benton Harbo...
5
70.8 mi into trip | ~1h 49m in | US 31; BL I 196

Merge onto US 31; BL I 196

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
120.3 mi into trip | ~2h 44m in

Take the exit toward Red Arrow Highway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 1 Toward Red Arrow Highway

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.21 one way

$38.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 43 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $21.10 $42.19
premium $4.89 $23.65 $47.30
diesel $5.61 $27.13 $54.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 43 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 36.9 0 $12.90 $5.90
Efficient EV 30.7 0 $10.75 $4.92
EV Truck/SUV 49.2 0 $17.21 $7.87

Gas CO2

43 kg

EV CO2

14 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

Troy, MI

Morning in Troy on Tuesday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Benton Heights, MI

Morning in Benton Heights on Tuesday

Local time

6:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

59°F

Allendale, MI

61 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

2 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 49m 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?

The drive features a 40% highway share, blending faster freeway segments with more localized roads. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 43.2 miles on the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, offering a period of consistent cruising. As you progress, expect a change in pace as you transition from the freeway to roads like Maple Island Road and 120th Avenue. This mixed drive profile means you'll encounter varied driving conditions, keeping the journey engaging without being overly demanding.

40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.2 mi on Gerald R Ford Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3 miles in near Comstock Avenue.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 122.9 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 3 miles (Comstock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (M 231 / M-231): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles (I 196 BL): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Troy, MI to Benton Heights, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bl I 196 West: Benton Harbor along the way.

Bl I 196 West: Benton Harbor

70.7 mi in | ~1h 49m | via I 196 BL

About the Cities

Starting in Troy, MI

Full guide →

Troy is a city in Michigan and a suburb of Detroit.

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 49m. Total distance: 122.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 43.2 miles on Gerald R Ford Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 3 miles (Comstock Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (M 231 / M-231): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.7 miles (I 196 BL): Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Benton Heights, 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.

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