How far is Detroit, MI from Alpena, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Alpena, MI is about 250.4 miles (403 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.6 miles (305.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 32m 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 04h 46m.
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.
Township in Newaygo County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Alpena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Alpena.
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1
Start on Cadillac Square
634 ft · 29 sec · Cadillac Square
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2
Continue on Cadillac Square
30 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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3
Turn slight left onto Randolph Street
950 ft · 38 sec · Randolph Street
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4
Turn right onto Monroe Street
2106 ft · 1 min · Monroe Street
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
10 m · 1 sec · Chrysler Drive
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6
Take the ramp slight left
854 ft · 21 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
60 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
52.4 mi · 56 min
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9
Keep slight left
26.6 mi · 27 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
2011 ft · 51 sec
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11
Turn right onto M-61
2.1 mi · 3 min · M-61
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12
Continue on West Cedar Street
3191 ft · 1 min · West Cedar Street
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13
Turn left onto North Main Street
2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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14
Continue on West Huron Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road
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15
Continue on West Center Road
1 km · 1 min · West Center Road
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16
Continue on East Huron Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Huron Road
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17
Turn left onto North Hale Road
4 mi · 5 min · North Hale Road
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18
Continue on State Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Street
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19
Continue on Hale Road
2.9 mi · 3 min · Hale Road
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20
Continue on State Highway 65
4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65
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21
Continue on South Bullock Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South Bullock Street
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22
Continue on State Highway 65
4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65
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23
Continue on M 65
4.4 mi · 5 min · M 65
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24
Continue on State Highway 65
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 65
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25
Continue on M 65
4 mi · 5 min · M 65
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26
Continue on State Highway 65
10.9 mi · 13 min · State Highway 65
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27
Continue on Baker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Baker Road
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28
Continue on South State Road
3.2 mi · 4 min · South State Road
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29
Continue on State Highway 65
38.8 mi · 45 min · State Highway 65
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30
Continue straight
15.7 mi · 20 min
-
31
Turn right onto East Chisholm Street
83 m · 9 sec · East Chisholm Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chisholm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Alpena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
60 mi · 01h 05m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Detroit and Chance Rain Showers near Alpena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Alpena?
The road trip is about 250.4 miles (403 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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?
Beaver is a useful midpoint, sitting about 125.1 miles from Detroit and 125.2 miles from Alpena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.6 miles (305.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 60.8 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 7:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.34 one way or $66.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Detroit and Chance Rain Showers near Alpena.
Stop Ideas Near Beaver
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Beaver.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Tawas City, MI
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Alpena. Straight-line distance: 189.63 mi (305.18 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Alpena
City in and county seat of Alpena County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 8,696 |
| Coordinates | 45.0616800, -83.4327500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alpena (-83.43275, 45.06168)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 403 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 00m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.34 | $66.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.60 | $75.19 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.14 | $82.28 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.89 | $93.77 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.