How far is Houghton Lake, MI from Farmington Hills, MI?
The driving distance from Houghton Lake, MI to Farmington Hills, MI is about 180 miles (289.7 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.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houghton Lake and Farmington Hills.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houghton Lake and Farmington Hills.
-
1
Start on Stone School Road
20 m · 3 sec · Stone School Road
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2
Turn right onto West Houghton Lake Drive
6.8 mi · 10 min · West Houghton Lake Drive
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3
Turn straight onto West Branch Road
108.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min · West Branch Road
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4
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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5
Keep slight right to continue on US 23: Ann Arbor
30.9 mi · 33 min
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 96 East: Detroit
1766 ft · 42 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
3040 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 16 min
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9
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
4.9 mi · 5 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Farmington Hills
2442 ft · 1 min
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11
Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road
1.1 km · 1 min · Orchard Lake Road
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12
Turn right onto West 11 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · West 11 Mile Road
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13
Turn right onto Farmington Road
135 m · 9 sec · Farmington Road
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Farmington Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houghton Lake and Farmington Hills.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
West Branch Road
Turn straight onto West Branch Road
108 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houghton Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms near Farmington Hills.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houghton Lake to Farmington Hills?
The road trip is about 180 miles (289.7 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 Houghton Lake and 90 miles from Farmington Hills.
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 35.7 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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Houghton Lake and Showers And Thunderstorms near Farmington Hills.
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 Houghton Lake and Farmington Hills. Straight-line distance: 144.32 mi (232.26 km).
#1 Houghton Lake
Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 3,427 |
| Coordinates | 44.3147400, -84.7647500 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Farmington Hills
The second most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 80,017 |
| Coordinates | 42.4853100, -83.3771600 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
End: Farmington Hills (-83.37716, 42.48531)
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 35m |
| 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.