How far is Detroit, MI from Carlton, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Carlton, MI is about 128 miles (206 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.6 miles (186 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 11m 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 02h 35m.
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.
Village located in Livingston County
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 Carlton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Carlton.
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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
17.8 mi · 23 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 696 West: Lansing
2310 ft · 56 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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9
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
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10
Keep slight left
38.9 mi · 42 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing
1.1 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Ransom E Olds Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Ransom E Olds Freeway
6.7 mi · 7 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Creyts Road North
2143 ft · 54 sec
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15
Turn right onto South Creyts Road
1647 ft · 45 sec · South Creyts Road
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16
Turn left onto West Saint Joseph Highway
3 mi · 5 min · West Saint Joseph Highway
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17
Turn left onto Nixon Road
1 mi · 1 min · Nixon Road
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18
Turn right onto East Mount Hope Highway
19 mi · 26 min · East Mount Hope Highway
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19
Continue on East Barnum Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Barnum Road
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20
Turn right onto Velte Road
1 mi · 1 min · Velte Road
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21
Turn left onto East Carlton Center Road
2690 ft · 42 sec · East Carlton Center Road
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22
Continue on East Broadway Street
1.6 km · 2 min · East Broadway Street
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23
Continue on East Carlton Center Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · East Carlton Center Road
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24
Continue on East M-43 Highway
3 mi · 4 min · East M-43 Highway
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25
Turn right onto Usborne Road
21 m · 1 sec · Usborne Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Usborne Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Carlton.
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 Reuther Freeway
Keep slight left
38.9 mi · 00h 42m
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 Carlton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Carlton?
The road trip is about 128 miles (206 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
Fowlerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.9 miles from Detroit and 64.1 miles from Carlton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.6 miles (186 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 1:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.04 one way or $34.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Detroit and Mostly Sunny near Carlton.
Stop Ideas Near Fowlerville
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 Fowlerville.
Durand Union Station
East Lansing station
Owosso, MI
Ann Arbor station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Carlton. Straight-line distance: 115.58 mi (186 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 Carlton
Township in Barry County, Michigan
| Population | 2,459 |
| Coordinates | 42.7267000, -85.2514000 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carlton (-85.2514, 42.7267)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 206 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.04 | $34.09 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.22 | $38.45 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.04 | $42.07 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.97 | $47.95 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.