How far is Rochester Hills, MI from Nelson, MI?
The driving distance from Rochester Hills, MI to Nelson, MI is about 99.9 miles (160.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 71.8 miles (115.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 00m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rochester Hills and Nelson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester Hills and Nelson.
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1
Start on Dickson Lane
1164 ft · 53 sec · Dickson Lane
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Downhill Lane
115 m · 18 sec · Downhill Lane
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3
Turn right onto Dressler Lane
60 m · 14 sec · Dressler Lane
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4
Turn left onto South Livernois Road
1426 ft · 27 sec · South Livernois Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Hamlin Road
5 m · 1 sec · West Hamlin Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto West Hamlin Road
1 mi · 2 min · West Hamlin Road
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7
Turn left onto Crooks Road
1860 ft · 38 sec · Crooks Road
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8
Take the ramp right toward M 59 West: Pontiac
2867 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left
2.6 mi · 3 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Flint
2907 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
32.8 mi · 35 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
37.8 mi · 40 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
1287 ft · 45 sec
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Holland Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · East Holland Avenue
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15
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1099 ft · 16 sec · East Holland Avenue
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Holland Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · East Holland Avenue
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17
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Holland Avenue
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18
Turn slight right onto East Remington Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Remington Street
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19
Turn left onto Sheridan Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheridan Avenue
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20
Continue on Williams Street
2311 ft · 34 sec · Williams Street
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21
Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Avenue
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22
Continue on Gratiot Road
11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
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23
Continue on East Saginaw Street
1324 ft · 22 sec · East Saginaw Street
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24
Turn left onto South Hemlock Road
5.6 mi · 13 min · South Hemlock Road
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25
Turn right onto Nelson Road
40 m · 6 sec · Nelson Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nelson Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rochester Hills and Nelson.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
37.8 mi · 00h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Rochester Hills and Mostly Sunny near Nelson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rochester Hills to Nelson?
The road trip is about 99.9 miles (160.7 km) and usually takes 02h 00m 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 49.9 miles from Rochester Hills and 50 miles from Nelson.
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 28.1 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 2:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.27 one way or $26.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Rochester Hills and Mostly Sunny near Nelson.
Stop Ideas Near Beecher
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Beecher.
Flint station
Durand Union Station
Lapeer station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rochester Hills and Nelson. Straight-line distance: 71.82 mi (115.58 km).
#1 Rochester Hills
A city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 74,111 |
| Coordinates | 42.6583700, -83.1499300 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Nelson
Township in Saginaw County, Michigan
| Population | 5,142 |
| Coordinates | 43.3341900, -84.2297100 |
| Altitude | 190 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nelson (-84.22971, 43.33419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 161 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $13.27 | $26.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.97 | $29.94 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.38 | $32.76 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.67 | $37.34 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.