How far is Chelsea, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Chelsea, MI to Detroit, MI is about 58.2 miles (93.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 49.9 miles (80.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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 00h 57m.
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.
Township in Washtenaw County, Michigan
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 Chelsea and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chelsea and Detroit.
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1
Start on the route
134 m · 35 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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3
Turn left onto East Old US Highway 12
2.6 mi · 4 min · East Old US Highway 12
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 94 East: Ann Arbor
655 ft · 16 sec
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5
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 9 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth
4.7 mi · 5 min
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7
Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
2.4 mi · 3 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
15.1 mi · 16 min
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9
Continue straight
9.2 mi · 10 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 75 North, M 10: Flint, Downtown
1932 ft · 47 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
1846 ft · 38 sec
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13
Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway
1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue
987 ft · 29 sec
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15
Continue on Fisher Drive West
135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West
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16
Turn right onto Grand River Avenue
2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Griswold Street
834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street
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18
Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue
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20
Continue on Woodward Avenue
38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue
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21
Continue on Woodward Avenue
70 m · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue
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22
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chelsea and Detroit.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
M 14 East
Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
15.1 mi · 00h 16m
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 Chelsea and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chelsea to Detroit?
The road trip is about 58.2 miles (93.7 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?
Salem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.3 miles from Chelsea and 30 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 49.9 miles (80.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:36 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.77 one way or $15.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chelsea and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Salem
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 Salem.
Ann Arbor station
Greenfield Village, Michigan
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chelsea and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 49.87 mi (80.26 km).
#1 Chelsea
City in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 5,377 |
| Coordinates | 42.3180700, -84.0218100 |
| Altitude | 285 |
| 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: 94 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.76 | $17.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.59 | $19.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.93 | $21.85 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.