How far is Bad Axe, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Bad Axe, MI to Detroit, MI is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101.7 miles (163.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Lapeer County, Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bad Axe and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bad Axe and Detroit.
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1
Start on West Huron Avenue
3255 ft · 42 sec · West Huron Avenue
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2
Continue on South Van Dyke Road
34.8 mi · 40 min · South Van Dyke Road
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3
Continue on Main Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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4
Continue on South Van Dyke Road
19.7 mi · 25 min · South Van Dyke Road
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5
Continue on North Cedar Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · North Cedar Street
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6
Continue on Van Dyke Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · Van Dyke Road
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7
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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8
Continue on Van Dyke Road
22.9 mi · 27 min · Van Dyke Road
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Van Dyke Road North, 18 ½ Mile Road West
1772 ft · 44 sec
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 18 1/2 Mile Road
56 m · 8 sec · 18 1/2 Mile Road
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11
Exit the roundabout onto 18 1/2 Mile Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · 18 1/2 Mile Road
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12
Turn straight onto Mound Road
7.1 mi · 11 min · Mound Road
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Mound Road
953 ft · 16 sec · Mound Road
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14
Take the ramp straight toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1445 ft · 35 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
2073 ft · 51 sec · Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
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16
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.2 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
1011 ft · 25 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I-696 West to I-75 South
2553 ft · 1 min · I-696 West to I-75 South
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19
Merge slight left onto South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
9.7 mi · 11 min · South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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22
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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23
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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24
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bad Axe and Detroit.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
South Van Dyke Road
Continue on South Van Dyke Road
34.8 mi · 00h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Bad Axe and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bad Axe to Detroit?
The road trip is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km) and usually takes 02h 19m 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?
Imlay City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.4 miles from Bad Axe and 70.5 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101.7 miles (163.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.2 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 1:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.89 one way or $33.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bad Axe and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Imlay City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Imlay City.
Lapeer station
Flint station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Port Huron
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bad Axe and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 101.63 mi (163.56 km).
#1 Bad Axe
City in Michigan
| Population | 2,889 |
| Coordinates | 43.8019600, -83.0007800 |
| Altitude | 231 |
| 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: 204 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.89 | $33.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.05 | $38.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.85 | $41.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.76 | $47.52 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.