Commerce Township, MI Area Guide

Long before subdivisions arrived, the township drew visitors seeking summer escapes among its lakes and gentle hills. The Huron River corridor, winding mostly north to south through the township, anchored early recreational life and remains a scenic constant.

Wise Woods Park, named after the road that borders it, reflects the township's ongoing commitment to preserving natural land for public use. The Commerce Drive-In, with its iconic teal marquee standing for more than six decades, is one of the most photographed landmarks in the area and a living artifact of mid-century suburban leisure culture.

Dining here leans toward casual waterside spots, sports bars, and neighborhood grilles spread across strip malls and lakeside settings rather than a concentrated restaurant row. Fresh seafood, pasta, and handhelds are easy to find at casual eateries, while sports bar concepts pair craft beer with indoor recreation and live music. For something quieter, Italian-focused restaurants with waterside views offer a relaxed sit-down alternative.

Getting around Commerce Township means getting behind the wheel. No local bus or rail service operates within the township, and most residential areas have limited sidewalk infrastructure, making driving the practical default for nearly every trip.

I-96, M-59, and M-5 provide the main road connections to Detroit, Novi, and surrounding Oakland County communities. Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport is about 34 miles away -- roughly a 43-minute drive -- and the nearest Amtrak service runs out of Pontiac station, approximately 14 miles from the township.

Proud Lake State Recreation Area is the centerpiece of outdoor life in Commerce Township, spreading across 3,000 acres along the Huron River with camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. It's the kind of place that earns year-round use.

Within the township, Dodge Park draws visitors with Scarlet's Playground and for hosting seasonal events with food trucks along its walking path. Wise Woods Park offers nature trails well suited for dog walking, cycling, and jogging through wildlife-rich terrain, while Robert H. Long Nature Park, near 14 Mile Road, provides quieter habitat for songbirds, swans, and butterflies.

Rents in Commerce Township run notably above the Michigan state average across all unit sizes. Rents are trending downward year over year for studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units.

Grocery shopping is well covered, with Kroger, Aldi, and Meijer handling everyday staples and Zerbo's Market and Bistro rounding things out with specialty options. Big-box retail along Haggerty Road -- Costco, Target, and Home Depot among them -- keeps routine household runs short.

For a broader retail experience, Twelve Oaks Mall in nearby Novi brings together nearly 200 shops and restaurants accessible via Route 5. Come fall, Long Family Orchard, Farm and Cider Mill adds a local touch with fresh cider, a pumpkin patch, corn mazes, and a petting zoo.

Commerce Township delivers a nature-forward suburban experience anchored by Proud Lake State Recreation Area, a string of inland lakes perfect for water recreation, the historic Commerce Drive-In, and easy access to major Detroit-area highways -- all within one of Oakland County's most spaciously residential communities.