How far is Carlton, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Carlton, MI to Detroit, MI is about 128.8 miles (207.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.6 miles (186 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m 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 07m.
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.
Village located in Livingston County
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 Carlton and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlton and Detroit.
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1
Start on Usborne Road
21 m · 6 sec · Usborne Road
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2
Turn left onto East M-43 Highway
3 mi · 4 min · East M-43 Highway
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3
Continue on East Carlton Center Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · East Carlton Center Road
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4
Continue on West Broadway Street
1.6 km · 2 min · West Broadway Street
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5
Continue on East Carlton Center Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Carlton Center Road
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6
Turn left onto North M-66 Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · North M-66 Highway
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7
Continue on Saddlebag Lake Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Saddlebag Lake Road
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8
Turn right onto Grand Ledge Highway
15.2 mi · 21 min · Grand Ledge Highway
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9
Continue on State Highway 43
1.2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 43
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward State Highway 43
38 m · 5 sec · State Highway 43
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11
Exit the roundabout onto State Highway 43
1793 ft · 29 sec · State Highway 43
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12
Continue on East Saginaw Highway
4.1 mi · 6 min · East Saginaw Highway
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13
Take the ramp straight toward I 69 South, I 96 East: Fort Wayne, Detroit
2815 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
66.9 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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16
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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17
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
17.8 mi · 23 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight left toward Larned Street, Downtown
1773 ft · 45 sec
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19
Continue on West Larned Street
1024 ft · 34 sec · West Larned Street
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20
Turn left onto Woodward Avenue
868 ft · 42 sec · Woodward Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlton 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
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
66.9 mi · 01h 12m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Carlton 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 Carlton to Detroit?
The road trip is about 128.8 miles (207.3 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?
Fowlerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.3 miles from Carlton and 64.5 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.6 miles (186 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.2 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 2:14 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.16 one way or $34.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carlton and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Fowlerville
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 Fowlerville.
Durand Union Station
East Lansing station
Owosso, MI
Ann Arbor station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlton and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 115.58 mi (186 km).
#1 Carlton
Township in Barry County, Michigan
| Population | 2,459 |
| Coordinates | 42.7267000, -85.2514000 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| 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: 207 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.16 | $34.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.35 | $38.70 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.18 | $42.35 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.13 | $48.27 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.