Origin
Troy, MI
Late night in Troy on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
216.8 mi
349 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Troy, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Inkster, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Troy, MI to Inkster, MI is 216.8 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I 96, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, offering a straightforward drive across Michigan. Given its manageable duration and focus on highway travel, it's well-suited for a single-day journey. You'll primarily be on major roadways, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct connection without extensive detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
108.4 miles from Troy, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 132.6 mi | 2h 22m |
| Apple Avenue | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| South Warner Avenue | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| North Stone Road | 7.7 mi | 11m |
| Comstock Avenue | 7.1 mi | 17m |
| Inkster Road | 6.2 mi | 12m |
| I 275 | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Jeffries Freeway | 5.5 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Troy, MI and Inkster, MI.
Start on North Dickinson Avenue
Continue on West 11 Mile Road
Turn right onto Comstock Avenue
Turn left onto 4 Mile Road
Turn right onto North Green Avenue
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
Continue on North Stone Road
Turn left onto M 82
Turn right onto M 82
Continue on M 82
Continue on B-35
Continue on B-35
Continue on B-35
Continue on B-35
Turn right onto B-35
Continue on B-35
Turn left onto Bailey Road
Turn right onto M 37
Enter roundabout onto M 37; M 46
Continue on M 37; M 46
Continue on M 37
Take the exit
Merge onto I 96; M 37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 275; I 96
Take the exit
Merge onto I 96
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road
Turn right onto Inkster Road
Arrive at destination
For this 4-hour, 34-minute drive, a morning departure is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically along the 132.6-mile stretch on I 96 to refuel and stretch. The estimated fuel cost of $34 suggests budgeting accordingly, especially considering potential price fluctuations. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be mindful of potential traffic, particularly as you approach your destination in Inkster.
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.
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 48 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.4 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Inkster, MI than in the middle of the route.
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 216.8 miles and 4h 34m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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.
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 108.4 miles from Troy, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 63.5 and 210.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 East: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Inkster Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$33.89 one way
$67.79 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $37.21 | $74.43 |
| premium | $4.89 | $41.72 | $83.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.87 | $95.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65 | 0 | $22.76 | $10.41 |
| Efficient EV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.97 | $8.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.7 | 1 | $30.35 | $13.88 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Troy on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Inkster on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 66% of the journey utilizing major highways like I 96. You'll experience a significant stretch of uninterrupted driving, with the longest segment covering 132.6 miles on I 96. While the majority of the trip involves higher speeds on interstates, segments on Apple Avenue and South Warner Avenue will offer a change of pace. Expect a consistent driving experience for much of the trip, punctuated by transitions onto local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Apple Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 63.5 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 216.8 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 63.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 129.6 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Troy, MI and Inkster, MI, road signs point toward M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo and Detroit.
M 5 North: Detroit
Toledo
Detroit
Southern Wayne County is a region in Wayne County in the state of Michigan.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 34m. Total distance: 216.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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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