How far is Chicago, IL from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Chicago, IL to Detroit, MI is about 280.9 miles (452.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 238.4 miles (383.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 32m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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 05h 16m.
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 Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance T-storms then Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Chicago and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Chicago and Detroit.
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1
Start on the route
943 ft · 1 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Cermak Road
947 ft · 26 sec · West Cermak Road
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3
Turn left onto South Halsted Street
737 ft · 17 sec · South Halsted Street
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4
Turn right onto South Canalport Avenue
87 m · 6 sec · South Canalport Avenue
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5
Turn slight right
34 m · 5 sec
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6
Take the ramp straight toward I 90 East, I 94 East
139 m · 11 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 90, I 94 East: Indiana
929 ft · 23 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dan Ryan Expressway
1.2 km · 48 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
3.8 mi · 5 min · Dan Ryan Expressway (Express)
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East
2183 ft · 53 sec
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11
Merge slight right onto Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
2612 ft · 50 sec · Dan Ryan Expressway (Local)
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Chicago Skyway
4.5 mi · 7 min · Chicago Skyway
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13
Turn straight onto Chicago Skyway
591 ft · 14 sec · Chicago Skyway
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14
Merge slight left onto Chicago Skyway
3.1 mi · 5 min · Chicago Skyway
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15
Continue on Indiana Toll Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Indiana Toll Road
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16
Turn straight onto Indiana Toll Road
961 ft · 2 min · Indiana Toll Road
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17
Merge slight right onto Indiana Toll Road
1.8 mi · 2 min · Indiana Toll Road
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Indiana Toll Road
17.4 mi · 19 min · Indiana Toll Road
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 94, US 6, SR 51: Detroit, Lake Station
851 ft · 21 sec
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20
Continue straight
622 ft · 15 sec
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21
Continue straight
1977 ft · 48 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on I 94 East: Detroit
3126 ft · 1 min
-
23
Merge slight left
63.3 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit
137.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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25
Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth
4.7 mi · 5 min
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26
Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
2.4 mi · 3 min
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27
Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
15.1 mi · 16 min
-
28
Continue straight
9.2 mi · 10 min
-
29
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
-
30
Take the exit slight left toward I 75 North, M 10: Flint, Downtown
1932 ft · 47 sec
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31
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
1846 ft · 38 sec
-
32
Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway
1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway
-
33
Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue
987 ft · 29 sec
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34
Continue on Fisher Drive West
135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West
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35
Turn right onto Grand River Avenue
2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue
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36
Turn right onto Griswold Street
834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street
-
37
Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue
-
38
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue
-
39
Continue on Woodward Avenue
38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue
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40
Continue on Woodward Avenue
70 m · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue
-
41
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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42
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Chicago 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.
Sunny leaving Chicago and Chance T-storms then Chance Light Rain near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Chicago to Detroit?
The road trip is about 280.9 miles (452.1 km) and usually takes 05h 16m 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?
Portage is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.2 miles from Chicago and 140.7 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 238.4 miles (383.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.5 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 CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:28 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $46.55 one way or $93.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 88.1 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Chicago and Detroit, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Chicago and Chance T-storms then Chance Light Rain near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Portage
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 Portage.
Kalamazoo Transportation Center
Battle Creek Transportation Center
Bangor
Dowagiac station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Chicago and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 238.38 mi (383.63 km).
#1 Chicago
The third most populous city in the United States and the center of the Chicago metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,677,643 |
| Coordinates | 41.850033, -87.6500523 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| 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: Detroit (-83.04575, 42.33143)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 452 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 40m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.70 | $46.55 | $93.09 |
| Mid-grade | $5.32 | $52.73 | $105.46 |
| Premium | $5.87 | $58.14 | $116.28 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $65.19 | $130.38 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
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