How far is Brighton, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Brighton, MI to Detroit, MI is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 43m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brighton and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton and Detroit.
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1
Start on East Grand River Avenue
15 m · 8 sec · East Grand River Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
2451 ft · 1 min · East Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Spencer Street
1195 ft · 34 sec · Spencer Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-96 EAST: Detroit
1.1 km · 1 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on US 23 North, I 96 East: Flint, Detroit
1844 ft · 22 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
3040 ft · 37 sec
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7
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 16 min
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8
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
17.8 mi · 23 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight left toward Larned Street, Downtown
1773 ft · 45 sec
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11
Continue on West Larned Street
1024 ft · 34 sec · West Larned Street
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12
Turn left onto Woodward Avenue
868 ft · 42 sec · Woodward Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brighton 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.
John C Lodge Freeway
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
17.8 mi · 00h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Brighton and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brighton to Detroit?
The road trip is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km) and usually takes 00h 43m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Farmington Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.3 miles from Brighton and 22.3 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.92 one way or $11.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Brighton and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington Hills
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 Farmington Hills.
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Pontiac Transportation Center
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brighton and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 39.88 mi (64.18 km).
#1 Brighton
Suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States
| Population | 18,895 |
| Coordinates | 42.5294800, -83.7802200 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| 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: 72 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.92 | $11.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.68 | $13.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.31 | $14.61 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.33 | $16.65 |
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 · May 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.