How far is Big Rapids, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Big Rapids, MI to Detroit, MI is about 212.2 miles (341.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.2 miles (249.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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 04m.
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.
City in Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Big Rapids and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Rapids and Detroit.
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1
Start on the route
5 m · 2 sec
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2
Turn right
34 m · 10 sec
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3
Turn right onto Maple Street
2994 ft · 2 min · Maple Street
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4
Turn right onto South 3rd Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South 3rd Avenue
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5
Continue on Taft Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Taft Road
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6
Turn straight onto State Highway 20
589 ft · 9 sec · State Highway 20
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7
Continue on 15 Mile Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · 15 Mile Road
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8
Turn right onto 157th Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · 157th Avenue
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9
Continue on McKinley Road
3.8 mi · 5 min · McKinley Road
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10
Turn right onto 120th Avenue
7.4 mi · 10 min · 120th Avenue
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11
Continue on West Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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12
Turn straight onto North Cass Street
1573 ft · 28 sec · North Cass Street
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13
Continue on 70th Avenue
4.7 mi · 6 min · 70th Avenue
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14
Continue on West Wheatland Avenue
1 km · 1 min · West Wheatland Avenue
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15
Continue on 9 Mile Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · 9 Mile Road
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16
Continue on West Remus Road
14 mi · 19 min · West Remus Road
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17
Turn right onto South Lincoln Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Lincoln Road
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18
Turn left onto East Broomfield Road
2670 ft · 41 sec · East Broomfield Road
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19
Continue on West Broomfield Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · West Broomfield Street
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20
Turn right onto South Mission Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Mission Street
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21
Continue on Business US-127
1.3 mi · 2 min · Business US-127
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Business US-127
25.3 mi · 25 min · Business US-127
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23
Continue on South Bagley Road
5.9 mi · 7 min · South Bagley Road
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24
Continue on US-127
1.4 mi · 2 min · US-127
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25
Continue on South Bagley Road
3 mi · 3 min · South Bagley Road
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26
Continue on US-127
32 mi · 33 min · US-127
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27
Take the exit slight left toward I 96 East: Detroit
1.4 km · 2 min
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28
Merge slight right
56.1 mi · 1 hr
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29
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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30
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
17.8 mi · 23 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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31
Take the exit slight left toward Larned Street, Downtown
1773 ft · 45 sec
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32
Continue on West Larned Street
1024 ft · 34 sec · West Larned Street
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33
Turn left onto Woodward Avenue
868 ft · 42 sec · Woodward Avenue
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34
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Rapids and Detroit.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 96 East
Merge slight right
56.1 mi · 01h 00m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Big Rapids and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Big Rapids to Detroit?
The road trip is about 212.2 miles (341.5 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
DeWitt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.5 miles from Big Rapids and 113.7 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.2 miles (249.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 57 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 10:50 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.24 one way or $56.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 66.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Big Rapids and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near DeWitt
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 DeWitt.
East Lansing station
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Jackson station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Big Rapids and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 155.18 mi (249.74 km).
#1 Big Rapids
City in the U.
| Population | 10,408 |
| Coordinates | 43.6980800, -85.4836600 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| 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: 342 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $28.24 | $56.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.85 | $63.71 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.86 | $69.72 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.73 | $79.45 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.