How far is Colfax, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Colfax, MI to Detroit, MI is about 229.5 miles (369.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.6 miles (292.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 38m 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 49m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Michigan, United States
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 Colfax and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colfax and Detroit.
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1
Start on East Jackson Road
2 mi · 5 min · East Jackson Road
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2
Continue on West 13 Mile Road
1 mi · 2 min · West 13 Mile Road
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3
Turn right onto North Dickinson Avenue
2.1 mi · 5 min · North Dickinson Avenue
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4
Continue on West 11 Mile Road
1.4 km · 2 min · West 11 Mile Road
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5
Turn right onto Comstock Avenue
7.1 mi · 17 min · Comstock Avenue
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6
Turn left onto 4 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 4 Mile Road
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7
Turn right onto North Green Avenue
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Green Avenue
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8
Turn left onto Jefferson Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Jefferson Street
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9
Continue on North Stone Road
7.7 mi · 11 min · North Stone Road
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10
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.6 km · 3 min · West Main Street
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11
Turn right onto South Stewart Avenue
3134 ft · 1 min · South Stewart Avenue
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12
Continue on South Warner Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · South Warner Avenue
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13
Continue on South Warner Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · South Warner Avenue
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14
Continue on West 118th Street
1.5 km · 1 min · West 118th Street
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15
Continue on Luce Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Luce Avenue
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16
Continue on West 128th Street
2443 ft · 40 sec · West 128th Street
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17
Turn right onto Alger Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Alger Avenue
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18
Continue on Squires Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Squires Road
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19
Turn left onto Bailey Road
4.9 mi · 7 min · Bailey Road
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20
Turn right onto North Newaygo Road
3.2 mi · 4 min · North Newaygo Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Apple Avenue
50 m · 2 sec · Apple Avenue
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Apple Avenue
12.8 mi · 18 min · Apple Avenue
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23
Continue on Alpine Avenue Northwest
5.2 mi · 8 min · Alpine Avenue Northwest
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24
Take the exit left
1955 ft · 30 sec
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25
Merge slight right
65.7 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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26
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
66.9 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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27
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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28
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
17.8 mi · 23 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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29
Take the exit slight left toward Larned Street, Downtown
1773 ft · 45 sec
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30
Continue on West Larned Street
1024 ft · 34 sec · West Larned Street
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31
Turn left onto Woodward Avenue
868 ft · 42 sec · Woodward Avenue
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32
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colfax and Detroit.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
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 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 Colfax 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 Colfax to Detroit?
The road trip is about 229.5 miles (369.4 km) and usually takes 03h 49m 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?
Portland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.3 miles from Colfax and 116.2 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.6 miles (292.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.9 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 9:22 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.55 one way or $61.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Colfax and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Portland
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 Portland.
East Lansing station
Rockford, Michigan
Owosso, MI
Vernon J. Ehlers Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colfax and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 181.6 mi (292.25 km).
#1 Colfax
Township in Oceana County, Michigan
| Population | 1,328 |
| Coordinates | 43.7433400, -86.0792300 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| 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: 369 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.55 | $61.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.45 | $68.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.70 | $75.39 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.96 | $85.92 |
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.