How far is Detroit, MI from Carleton, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Carleton, MI is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.8 miles (41.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m 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 45m.
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.
City in Wayne County in the state of Michigan
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 Carleton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Carleton.
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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 left to continue on I 75 South: Toledo
1274 ft · 31 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Fisher Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Fisher Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Fisher Freeway
12.2 mi · 14 min · Fisher Freeway
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12
Continue on Detroit-Toledo Expressway
1 mi · 1 min · Detroit-Toledo Expressway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Dix-Toledo Highway
1693 ft · 42 sec
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14
Turn right onto Dix-Toledo Highway
2 mi · 3 min · Dix-Toledo Highway
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Telegraph Road
4.8 mi · 8 min · Telegraph Road
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16
Turn right onto East Newburg Road
2.6 mi · 4 min · East Newburg Road
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17
Turn left onto Briar Hill Road
1 mi · 1 min · Briar Hill Road
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18
Turn right onto Carlton Rockwood Road
2350 ft · 1 min · Carlton Rockwood Road
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19
Continue on Carleton-Rockwood Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Carleton-Rockwood Road
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20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Grafton Road
1324 ft · 27 sec · Grafton Road
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21
Turn right onto Monroe Street
2875 ft · 2 min · Monroe Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Monroe Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Carleton.
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.
Fisher Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Fisher Freeway
12.2 mi · 00h 14m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Detroit and Mostly Sunny near Carleton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Carleton?
The road trip is about 30.8 miles (49.5 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Southgate is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.3 miles from Detroit and 15.4 miles from Carleton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.8 miles (41.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.11 one way or $8.22 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Detroit and Mostly Sunny near Carleton.
Stop Ideas Near Southgate
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 Southgate.
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Detroit
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Carleton. Straight-line distance: 25.8 mi (41.52 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 Carleton
Village in Thayer County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,358 |
| Coordinates | 42.0592100, -83.3907700 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carleton (-83.39077, 42.05921)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.11 | $8.22 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.64 | $9.27 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.07 | $10.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.78 | $11.56 |
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.