How far is Houghton Lake, MI from Westland, MI?

The driving distance from Houghton Lake, MI to Westland, MI is about 187.7 miles (302.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 153.7 miles (247.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 49m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
187.69 mi
03h 24m
Flight
153.68 mi
247.33 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Houghton Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
153.68 mi
Kilometers
247.33 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
187.69 mi
Kilometers
302.06 km
Drive Time
03h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Westland
Thu, Apr 30, 12:40 PM EDT
Return by in Houghton Lake
Thu, Apr 30, 4:05 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Houghton Lake
2026-04-30T09:15
Arrive Westland
Thu, Apr 30, 12:40 PM EDT
Route Timing
03h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:25 AM to 11:25 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:10 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Houghton Lake
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Buena Vista
MI

Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States

From Houghton Lake
93.8 mi
01h 42m
To Westland
93.9 mi
01h 42m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
49°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
55°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Houghton Lake and Westland.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houghton Lake and Westland.

  1. 1

    Start on Stone School Road

    20 m · 3 sec · Stone School Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Houghton Lake Drive

    6.8 mi · 10 min · West Houghton Lake Drive

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto West Branch Road

    108.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min · West Branch Road

  4. 4

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on US 23: Ann Arbor

    30.9 mi · 33 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight left toward I 96 East: Detroit

    1766 ft · 42 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit

    3040 ft · 37 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    14.9 mi · 16 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo

    2832 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    2422 ft · 30 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    11.1 mi · 12 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward M 153: Canton, Westland

    2247 ft · 57 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Ford Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · Ford Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Ford Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Houghton Lake and Westland.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Branch Road
119 mi · 64%
US 23
30.9 mi · 16%
I 96 East
15.8 mi · 8%
I 96
12.1 mi · 6%
West Houghton Lake Drive
6.82 mi · 4%
Ford Road
2.35 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 24m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+34 mi
153.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 42m from Houghton Lake
Leave By
10:10 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Houghton Lake and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Westland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Houghton Lake to Westland?

The road trip is about 187.7 miles (302.1 km) and usually takes 03h 24m 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 93.8 miles from Houghton Lake and 93.9 miles from Westland.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 153.7 miles (247.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 34 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 10:10 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.96 one way or $49.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Houghton Lake and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Westland.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Buena Vista and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Food stop 14.5 mi away

Old City Hall

Bay City , MI
814 Saginaw St, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 4.5/5 660 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Bar,Restaurant
Bay City Hall
Meeting point 14.1 mi away

Bay City Hall

Bay City , MI
301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 3.7/5 14 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.

BUS

Saginaw, MI

3 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Bay City, MI

20 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
RAIL

Flint station

49 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Owosso, MI

52 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Houghton Lake and Westland. Straight-line distance: 153.68 mi (247.33 km).

Houghton Lake

#1 Houghton Lake

Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA

Population3,427
Coordinates44.3147400, -84.7647500
Altitude349
CountryUnited States
Westland

#2 Westland

A city in Wayne County, Michigan.

Population81,116
Coordinates42.3242000, -83.4002100
Altitude203
CountryUnited States
Start: Houghton Lake (-84.76475, 44.31474)
End: Westland (-83.40021, 42.3242)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 302 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.62 gal
25.07 L · about $24.96
Round trip
$49.93
13.24 gal · 50.14 L
Estimated CO2
58.8 kg one way
Round trip: 117.7 kg / 259 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.96 $49.93
Mid-grade $4.25 $28.15 $56.31
Premium $4.65 $30.81 $61.62
Diesel $5.30 $35.11 $70.22

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Houghton Lake and Westland. The current time is 09:15:26.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.