How far is Rochester Hills, MI from Waterford, MI?
The driving distance from Rochester Hills, MI to Waterford, MI is about 15.9 miles (25.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.5 miles (21.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 28m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rochester Hills and Waterford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester Hills and Waterford.
-
1
Start on Dickson Lane
1164 ft · 53 sec · Dickson Lane
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Downhill Lane
115 m · 18 sec · Downhill Lane
-
3
Turn right onto Dressler Lane
60 m · 14 sec · Dressler Lane
-
4
Turn left onto South Livernois Road
1426 ft · 27 sec · South Livernois Road
-
5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Hamlin Road
5 m · 1 sec · West Hamlin Road
-
6
Exit the roundabout onto West Hamlin Road
1 mi · 2 min · West Hamlin Road
-
7
Turn left onto Crooks Road
1860 ft · 38 sec · Crooks Road
-
8
Take the ramp right toward M 59 West: Pontiac
2867 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left
5.6 mi · 8 min
-
10
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
1917 ft · 51 sec · Woodward Avenue
-
11
Turn right onto Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
-
12
Continue on Dixie Highway
3.6 mi · 6 min · Dixie Highway
-
13
Turn left onto Williams Lake Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Williams Lake Road
-
14
Turn right onto David K Drive
1626 ft · 1 min · David K Drive
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · David K Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rochester Hills and Waterford.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
M 59 West
Merge slight left
5.65 mi · 00h 08m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Rochester Hills and Sunny near Waterford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rochester Hills to Waterford?
The road trip is about 15.9 miles (25.6 km) and usually takes 00h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pontiac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8 miles from Rochester Hills and 8 miles from Waterford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.5 miles (21.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.11 one way or $4.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Rochester Hills and Sunny near Waterford.
Stop Ideas Near Pontiac
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Ferndale City Hall
Rochester Municipal Complex
City of Madison Heights
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pontiac.
Pontiac Transportation Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rochester Hills and Waterford. Straight-line distance: 13.51 mi (21.75 km).
#1 Rochester Hills
A city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 74,111 |
| Coordinates | 42.6583700, -83.1499300 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Waterford
Charter township in Oakland county, Michigan
| Population | 75,737 |
| Coordinates | 42.6930300, -83.4118100 |
| Altitude | 294 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterford (-83.41181, 42.69303)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 26 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.11 | $4.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.38 | $4.76 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.61 | $5.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.97 | $5.94 |
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 · May 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.