How far is Buchanan, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Buchanan, MI to Detroit, MI is about 208 miles (334.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.5 miles (279.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m 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 18m.
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 the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buchanan and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan and Detroit.
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1
Start on South Oak Street
9 m · 5 sec · South Oak Street
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2
Turn right onto East Front Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Front Street
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3
Continue on Niles Buchanan Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Niles Buchanan Road
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4
Take the ramp left toward Niles-Buchanan Road
2061 ft · 50 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
21.2 mi · 23 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US-31
1.2 km · 1 min · US-31
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7
Merge slight left onto I-94/US-31
2935 ft · 36 sec · I-94/US-31
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit
137.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth
4.7 mi · 5 min
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10
Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
2.4 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
15.1 mi · 16 min
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12
Continue straight
9.2 mi · 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
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14
Take the exit slight left toward I 75 North, M 10: Flint, Downtown
1932 ft · 47 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
1846 ft · 38 sec
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16
Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway
1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue
987 ft · 29 sec
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18
Continue on Fisher Drive West
135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West
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19
Turn right onto Grand River Avenue
2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Griswold Street
834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street
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21
Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue
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23
Continue on Woodward Avenue
38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue
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24
Continue on Woodward Avenue
70 m · 14 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 Buchanan 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 94
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit
137 mi · 02h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Buchanan 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 Buchanan to Detroit?
The road trip is about 208 miles (334.7 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Marshall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 103.5 miles from Buchanan and 104.5 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.5 miles (279.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 10:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.68 one way or $55.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Buchanan and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Marshall
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 Marshall.
Albion station
Battle Creek Transportation Center
Jackson station
Kalamazoo Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buchanan and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 173.54 mi (279.28 km).
#1 Buchanan
City in Berrien County, Michigan, United Staes
| Population | 3,527 |
| Coordinates | 41.8272700, -86.3611200 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| 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: 335 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.68 | $55.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.22 | $62.43 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.16 | $68.32 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.93 | $77.86 |
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.