How far is Detroit, MI from Buchanan, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Buchanan, MI is about 208.5 miles (335.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 173.5 miles (279.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 39m 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.
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 Detroit and Buchanan.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Buchanan.
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1
Start on Cadillac Square
95 m · 15 sec · Cadillac Square
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2
Turn right onto Bates Street
75 m · 7 sec · Bates Street
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3
Turn right onto East Congress Street
649 ft · 38 sec · East Congress Street
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4
Turn left onto Griswold Street
635 ft · 26 sec · Griswold Street
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5
Turn right onto West Jefferson Avenue
1638 ft · 31 sec · West Jefferson Avenue
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6
Continue on John C Lodge Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Toledo, Flint
97 m · 8 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Toledo
1.2 mi · 2 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 96 West: Lansing
2406 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Jeffries Freeway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
14.5 mi · 16 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
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12
Continue straight
17.5 mi · 19 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Ann Arbor
5.4 mi · 6 min
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14
Merge slight left onto I 94 West: Chicago
138.4 mi · 2 hr 28 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward US-31 SOUTH: South Bend
1.1 km · 1 min · US-31
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16
Continue on Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
21.4 mi · 23 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
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17
Take the exit slight right
2568 ft · 1 min
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18
Turn right onto Niles Buchanan Road
1.5 mi · 3 min · Niles Buchanan Road
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19
Continue on East Front Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Front Street
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20
Turn left onto South Oak Street
9 m · 1 sec · South Oak Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Oak Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Buchanan.
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 West
Merge slight left onto I 94 West: Chicago
138 mi · 02h 28m
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 Detroit and Mostly Sunny near Buchanan.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Buchanan?
The road trip is about 208.5 miles (335.6 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?
Marshall is a useful midpoint, sitting about 104 miles from Detroit and 104.5 miles from Buchanan.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 173.5 miles (279.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 9:20 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.75 one way or $55.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 65.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Detroit and Mostly Sunny near Buchanan.
Stop Ideas Near Marshall
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 Marshall.
Albion station
Battle Creek Transportation Center
Jackson station
Kalamazoo Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Buchanan. Straight-line distance: 173.54 mi (279.28 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 Buchanan
City in Berrien County, Michigan, United Staes
| Population | 3,527 |
| Coordinates | 41.8272700, -86.3611200 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buchanan (-86.36112, 41.82727)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 336 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.75 | $55.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $31.30 | $62.60 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $34.25 | $68.51 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $39.04 | $78.07 |
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.