How far is Alpena, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Alpena, MI to Detroit, MI is about 250 miles (402.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.6 miles (305.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 58m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Newaygo County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Snow Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Alpena and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alpena and Detroit.
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1
Start on East Chisholm Street
738 ft · 24 sec · East Chisholm Street
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2
Turn left onto South 3rd Avenue
1003 ft · 29 sec · South 3rd Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Washington Avenue
15.4 mi · 20 min · West Washington Avenue
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4
Continue straight
82.2 mi · 1 hr 36 min
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5
Turn right onto West Huron Road
2 mi · 3 min · West Huron Road
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6
Continue on Center Road
1 km · 1 min · Center Road
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7
Continue on West Huron Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road
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8
Continue on North Main Street
2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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9
Turn right onto West Cedar Street
3191 ft · 54 sec · West Cedar Street
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10
Continue on West M-61
2.4 mi · 4 min · West M-61
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Saginaw
1735 ft · 42 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Saginaw
64.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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13
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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14
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
2456 ft · 38 sec · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Lafayette Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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17
Turn slight right onto Macomb Street
1196 ft · 40 sec · Macomb Street
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18
Turn left onto Beaubien Street
636 ft · 23 sec · Beaubien Street
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19
Turn right onto East Lafayette Street
674 ft · 21 sec · East Lafayette Street
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20
Continue on Bates Street
909 ft · 26 sec · Bates Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Congress Street
99 m · 17 sec · East Congress Street
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22
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Alpena and Detroit.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
West Washington Avenue
Continue straight
82.2 mi · 01h 36m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Snow Showers leaving Alpena and Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Alpena to Detroit?
The road trip is about 250 miles (402.3 km) and usually takes 03h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Beaver is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.4 miles from Alpena and 124.6 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.6 miles (305.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.26 one way or $66.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Alpena and Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Beaver
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Beaver.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Tawas City, MI
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Alpena and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 189.63 mi (305.18 km).
#1 Alpena
City in and county seat of Alpena County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 8,696 |
| Coordinates | 45.0616800, -83.4327500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Detroit
The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.
| Population | 665,369 |
| Coordinates | 42.3314300, -83.0457500 |
| Altitude | 183 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.26 | $66.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.51 | $75.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.05 | $82.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.78 | $93.56 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.