How far is Waterford, MI from Rochester Hills, MI?
The driving distance from Waterford, MI to Rochester Hills, MI is about 16.5 miles (26.5 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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterford and Rochester Hills.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Rochester Hills.
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1
Start on David K Drive
1626 ft · 1 min · David K Drive
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Williams Lake Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Williams Lake Road
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3
Turn right onto Dixie Highway
3.6 mi · 6 min · Dixie Highway
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4
Continue on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
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5
Continue on Oakland Avenue
998 ft · 23 sec · Oakland Avenue
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6
Turn straight onto North Saginaw Street
697 ft · 24 sec · North Saginaw Street
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7
Turn left onto East Huron Street
6 mi · 8 min · East Huron Street
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Crooks Road
1963 ft · 55 sec
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9
Turn left onto Crooks Road
3230 ft · 1 min · Crooks Road
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10
Turn right onto West Hamlin Road
1 mi · 2 min · West Hamlin Road
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Livernois Road
65 m · 4 sec · South Livernois Road
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12
Exit the roundabout onto South Livernois Road
1428 ft · 29 sec · South Livernois Road
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13
Turn right onto Dressler Lane
60 m · 13 sec · Dressler Lane
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14
Turn left onto Downhill Lane
115 m · 22 sec · Downhill Lane
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15
Turn left onto Dickson Lane
1164 ft · 51 sec · Dickson Lane
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dickson Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford and Rochester Hills.
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.
East Huron Street
Turn left onto East Huron Street
6.02 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 Waterford and Sunny near Rochester Hills.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterford to Rochester Hills?
The road trip is about 16.5 miles (26.5 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 8.1 miles from Waterford and 8.3 miles from Rochester Hills.
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 3 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 $2.19 one way or $4.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waterford and Sunny near Rochester Hills.
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 Waterford and Rochester Hills. Straight-line distance: 13.51 mi (21.75 km).
#1 Waterford
Charter township in Oakland county, Michigan
| Population | 75,737 |
| Coordinates | 42.6930300, -83.4118100 |
| Altitude | 294 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rochester Hills
A city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 74,111 |
| Coordinates | 42.6583700, -83.1499300 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dickson Lane (-83.150084, 42.658638)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 26 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.19 | $4.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.47 | $4.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.70 | $5.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.08 | $6.15 |
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.