Origin
Williamston, MI
Morning in Williamston on Tuesday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Williamston, MI to Farmington Hills, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
53.8 mi
87 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Williamston, MI
fish socks
Farmington Hills, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 53.8-mile drive from Williamston to Farmington Hills is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 2 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-96 and the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, this route offers a highway-focused experience. With a fuel cost estimated at $8, it's an economical option for a quick journey within Michigan's Midwest region. You'll find this drive is designed for efficiency, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss. Given its short duration and straightforward nature, it's perfect for a spontaneous outing or a planned commute without the need for an overnight stay.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 40.9 mi | 43m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| East Grand River Avenue | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| West 11 Mile Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Stockbridge Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Orchard Lake Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Farmington Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Putnam Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 40.9 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Williamston, MI and Farmington Hills, MI.
1
Start on South Putnam Street
115 ft
·
10 sec
·
South Putnam Street
2
Turn right onto M 43
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
East Grand River Avenue
3
Turn right onto M 43; M 52
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Stockbridge Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
5
Merge onto I 96
41 mi
·
43 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on I 696
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East: Port Huron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5
Toward Farmington Hills
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Orchard Lake Road
Use the right lane.
9
Turn right onto West 11 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West 11 Mile Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto Farmington Road
443 ft
·
9 sec
·
Farmington Road
11
Arrive at destination
Farmington Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.9 miles from Williamston, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 4.6 and 52.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
M 43; M 52 / Stockbridge Road
Turn right onto M 43; M 52 / Stockbridge Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
5.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
I 96
Merge onto I 96
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
51.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the exit toward Farmington Hills
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward Farmington Hills
6
52.1 mi into trip
|
~59m in
|
Orchard Lake Road
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
52.8 mi into trip
|
~1h in
|
West 11 Mile Road
Turn right onto West 11 Mile Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.41 one way
$16.82 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $9.23 | $18.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $10.35 | $20.71 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.88 | $23.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.1 | 0 | $5.65 | $2.58 |
| Efficient EV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.71 | $2.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21.5 | 0 | $7.53 | $3.44 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Destination
Farmington Hills, MI
Morning in Farmington Hills on Tuesday
Local time
8:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Brighton, MI
27 mi in
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
17 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 2m 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 character of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 85% of the journey taking place on interstates. You'll spend the majority of your time on I-96, which forms the longest uninterrupted stretch at 40.9 miles. Expect a consistent pace suitable for steady travel, punctuated by transitions onto the Walter P. Reuther Freeway and East Grand River Avenue as you near your destination. This route prioritizes directness over scenic detours, offering a predictable driving experience that allows you to cover ground efficiently.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.9 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4.6 miles in near M 43; M 52 / Stockbridge Road.
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 53.8 miles you will encounter 9 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 4.6 miles (M 43; M 52 / Stockbridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 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.
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 Williamston, MI to Farmington Hills, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 5 East: Port Huron along the way.
M 5 East: Port Huron
46.7 mi in
|
~52m
|
via I 696
About the Cities
Arriving in Farmington Hills, MI
Full guide →Farmington Hills is a city in Oakland County in Michigan. It almost completely surrounds the smaller city of Farmington.
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 1h 2m. Total distance: 53.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 40.9 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.6 miles (M 43; M 52 / Stockbridge Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.8 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.6 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 Farmington Hills, 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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