How far is Farmington Hills, MI from Houghton Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Farmington Hills, MI to Houghton Lake, MI is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.3 miles (232.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 16m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Farmington Hills and Houghton Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Farmington Hills and Houghton Lake.
-
1
Start on Farmington Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Farmington Road
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2
Turn right onto West 12 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · West 12 Mile Road
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3
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
78 m · 5 sec · Orchard Lake Road
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 696 West: Lansing
2763 ft · 1 min
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5
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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6
Merge slight right
15.3 mi · 16 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint
960 ft · 12 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 23 North: Flint
1.1 km · 55 sec
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9
Merge slight left
79.3 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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10
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac
14.6 mi · 21 min
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12
Turn left onto Stone School Road
20 m · 3 sec · Stone School Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Stone School Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Farmington Hills and Houghton Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 23 North
Merge slight left
79.3 mi · 01h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Farmington Hills and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houghton Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Farmington Hills to Houghton Lake?
The road trip is about 180.1 miles (289.8 km) and usually takes 03h 16m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90 miles from Farmington Hills and 90 miles from Houghton Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.3 miles (232.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:26 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.95 one way or $47.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Farmington Hills and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Houghton Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.
Saginaw, MI
Bay City, MI
Flint station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Farmington Hills and Houghton Lake. Straight-line distance: 144.32 mi (232.26 km).
#1 Farmington Hills
The second most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 80,017 |
| Coordinates | 42.4853100, -83.3771600 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Houghton Lake
Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 3,427 |
| Coordinates | 44.3147400, -84.7647500 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| Country | United States |
End: Houghton Lake (-84.76475, 44.31474)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.95 | $47.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.01 | $54.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.55 | $59.11 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.68 | $67.36 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Michigan · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.