How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Sylvan Lake, MI?

The driving distance from Ann Arbor, MI to Sylvan Lake, MI is about 41 miles (66 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
41 mi
00h 56m
Flight
31.21 mi
50.23 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ann Arbor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.21 mi
Kilometers
50.23 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
41 mi
Kilometers
65.98 km
Drive Time
00h 56m

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 56m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sylvan Lake
Sun, Apr 19, 6:03 AM EDT
Return by in Ann Arbor
Sun, Apr 19, 7:00 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ann Arbor
2026-04-19T05:06
Arrive Sylvan Lake
Sun, Apr 19, 6:03 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 56m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:57 AM to 10:57 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:36 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ann Arbor
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Plymouth
MI

City in Wayne County, in the U.

From Ann Arbor
20.5 mi
00h 28m
To Sylvan Lake
20.5 mi
00h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph WNW
Destination
45°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 17 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ann Arbor and Sylvan Lake.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor and Sylvan Lake.

  1. 1

    Start on South State Street

    1325 ft · 43 sec · South State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Huron Street

    2058 ft · 1 min · East Huron Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit

    835 ft · 20 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 275 North, I 96 West: Flint

    2166 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 96 West

    1170 ft · 29 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    5.3 mi · 6 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port Huron

    2400 ft · 59 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on I 696: Port Huron

    1750 ft · 43 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on I 696: Port Huron

    1.1 mi · 2 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Farmington Hills

    2442 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Orchard Lake Road

    1781 ft · 40 sec · Orchard Lake Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto West 12 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · West 12 Mile Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Middlebelt Road

    3 mi · 5 min · Middlebelt Road

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Middlebelt Road

    28 m · 2 sec · Middlebelt Road

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto Middlebelt Road

    4.9 mi · 9 min · Middlebelt Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Orchard Lake Road

    17 m · 1 sec · Orchard Lake Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Orchard Lake Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ann Arbor and Sylvan Lake.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
53.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
M 14 East
18.7 mi · 46%
Middlebelt Road
7.9 mi · 19%
I 96 West
5.48 mi · 13%
Walter P Reuther Freeway
2.9 mi · 7%
I 696
1.91 mi · 5%
North Main Street
1.24 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

M 14 East

Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

15.1 mi · 00h 16m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 56m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+9.8 mi
31.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Plymouth
00h 28m from Ann Arbor
Leave By
4:36 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Ann Arbor and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Sylvan Lake.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ann Arbor to Sylvan Lake?

The road trip is about 41 miles (66 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?

Plymouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.5 miles from Ann Arbor and 20.5 miles from Sylvan Lake.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 4:36 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.47 one way or $10.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers around Ann Arbor and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Sylvan Lake.

Stop Ideas Near Plymouth

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Plymouth, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Plymouth.

RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

20 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

23 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Ann Arbor station

24 mi away
325 Depot Street
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

30 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ann Arbor and Sylvan Lake. Straight-line distance: 31.21 mi (50.23 km).

Ann Arbor

#1 Ann Arbor

The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Population119,280
Coordinates42.2775600, -83.7408800
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Sylvan Lake

#2 Sylvan Lake

Human settlement in Oakland County, Michigan, United States of America

Population1,840
Coordinates42.6114200, -83.3285500
Altitude292
CountryUnited States
Start: Ann Arbor (-83.74088, 42.27756)
End: Sylvan Lake (-83.32855, 42.61142)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 66 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.45 gal
5.48 L · about $5.47
Round trip
$10.94
2.9 gal · 10.96 L
Estimated CO2
12.9 kg one way
Round trip: 25.8 kg / 57 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $5.47 $10.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $6.17 $12.33
Premium $4.65 $6.75 $13.50
Diesel $5.30 $7.69 $15.38

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

There is no time difference between Ann Arbor and Sylvan Lake. The current time is 05:06:53.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.