How far is Nelson, MI from Rochester Hills, MI?

The driving distance from Nelson, MI to Rochester Hills, MI is about 93 miles (149.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 71.8 miles (115.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
92.94 mi
01h 40m
Flight
71.82 mi
115.58 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Nelson.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
71.82 mi
Kilometers
115.58 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
92.94 mi
Kilometers
149.57 km
Drive Time
01h 40m

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 01h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rochester Hills
Thu, Apr 23, 3:41 AM EDT
Return by in Nelson
Thu, Apr 23, 5:22 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Nelson
2026-04-23T02:00
Arrive Rochester Hills
Thu, Apr 23, 3:41 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:41 AM to 11:41 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:08 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Nelson
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Beecher
MI

Unincorporated community in Michigan

From Nelson
50.1 mi
00h 50m
To Rochester Hills
42.8 mi
00h 50m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph S
Destination
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Nelson and Rochester Hills.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Nelson and Rochester Hills.

  1. 1

    Start on Nelson Road

    40 m · 11 sec · Nelson Road

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Hemlock Road

    5.6 mi · 13 min · South Hemlock Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Saginaw Street

    1324 ft · 17 sec · East Saginaw Street

  4. 4

    Continue on Gratiot Road

    11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Gratiot Avenue

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Stephens Street

    2261 ft · 31 sec · Stephens Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Rust Street

    141 m · 6 sec · Rust Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Rust Avenue Bridge

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Rust Avenue Bridge

  9. 9

    Continue on South Warren Avenue

    1599 ft · 24 sec · South Warren Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East Holland Avenue

    2 mi · 2 min · East Holland Avenue

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint

    72 m · 14 sec

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint

    1338 ft · 46 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    23.2 mi · 25 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 39 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica

    1392 ft · 47 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    3.2 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Crooks Road

    1963 ft · 55 sec

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Crooks Road

    3230 ft · 1 min · Crooks Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto West Hamlin Road

    1 mi · 2 min · West Hamlin Road

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Livernois Road

    65 m · 4 sec · South Livernois Road

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto South Livernois Road

    1428 ft · 29 sec · South Livernois Road

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Dressler Lane

    60 m · 13 sec · Dressler Lane

  24. 24

    Turn left onto Downhill Lane

    115 m · 22 sec · Downhill Lane

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Dickson Lane

    1164 ft · 51 sec · Dickson Lane

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dickson Lane

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Nelson and Rochester Hills.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
71.3 mi · 77%
Gratiot Road
11.4 mi · 12%
South Hemlock Road
5.57 mi · 6%
M 59 East
3.43 mi · 4%
East Holland Avenue
2.03 mi · 2%
Rust Avenue Bridge
1.62 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 75 South

Keep slight left

36.8 mi · 00h 39m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+21.2 mi
71.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Beecher
00h 50m from Nelson
Leave By
3:08 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Nelson and Mostly Sunny near Rochester Hills.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Nelson to Rochester Hills?

The road trip is about 93 miles (149.6 km) and usually takes 01h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Beecher is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.1 miles from Nelson and 42.8 miles from Rochester Hills.

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

The direct path is about 71.8 miles (115.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:08 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.37 one way or $24.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Nelson and Mostly Sunny near Rochester Hills.

Stop Ideas Near Beecher

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Beecher, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Beecher.

RAIL

Flint station

9 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
RAIL

Durand Union Station

31 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Lapeer station

32 mi away
73 Howard St.
BUS

Owosso, MI

40 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Nelson and Rochester Hills. Straight-line distance: 71.82 mi (115.58 km).

Nelson

#1 Nelson

Township in Saginaw County, Michigan

Population5,142
Coordinates43.3341900, -84.2297100
Altitude190
CountryUnited States
Rochester Hills

#2 Rochester Hills

A city in Oakland County, Michigan.

Population74,111
Coordinates42.6583700, -83.1499300
Altitude251
CountryUnited States
Start: Nelson Road (-84.229702, 43.334043)
End: Dickson Lane (-83.150084, 42.658638)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 150 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.28 gal
12.41 L · about $12.37
Round trip
$24.74
6.56 gal · 24.82 L
Estimated CO2
29.1 kg one way
Round trip: 58.3 kg / 129 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $12.37 $24.74
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.95 $27.90
Premium $4.65 $15.27 $30.53
Diesel $5.30 $17.40 $34.79

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Nelson and Rochester Hills. The current time is 02:00:29.

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.