How far is Detroit, MI from Central Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Central Lake, MI is about 256 miles (412 km), with a travel time of about 04h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 219.3 miles (352.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 51m 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 55m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Bay County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Central Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Central Lake.
-
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
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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10
Keep slight left
27.2 mi · 27 min
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11
Take the exit slight left toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City
1.8 mi · 4 min
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12
Turn left
17.6 mi · 25 min
-
13
Turn right onto Sigma Road Southeast
2 mi · 4 min · Sigma Road Southeast
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14
Continue on Darragh Road Northeast
10.8 mi · 19 min · Darragh Road Northeast
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15
Continue on South Maple Street
2306 ft · 46 sec · South Maple Street
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16
Merge slight left onto South Williams Street
113 m · 18 sec · South Williams Street
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17
Turn sharp left onto East State Street
2876 ft · 1 min · East State Street
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18
Continue on South M-88 Highway
10.2 mi · 14 min · South M-88 Highway
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19
Continue on South Division Street
2502 ft · 42 sec · South Division Street
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20
Turn straight onto Cayuga/Division Cutoff
95 m · 5 sec · Cayuga/Division Cutoff
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21
Continue on East Cayuga Street
2804 ft · 49 sec · East Cayuga Street
-
22
Turn right onto North Bridge Street
1.2 km · 1 min · North Bridge Street
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23
Continue on South M-88 Highway
6.7 mi · 10 min · South M-88 Highway
-
24
Continue on South Main Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Main Street
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25
Turn left onto West State Street
43 m · 9 sec · West State Street
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26
Turn left
18 m · 4 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Central Lake.
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 75
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Sunny leaving Detroit and Sunny near Central Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Central Lake?
The road trip is about 256 miles (412 km) and usually takes 04h 55m 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?
Pinconning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.9 miles from Detroit and 128.1 miles from Central Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 219.3 miles (352.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.7 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 7:08 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.05 one way or $68.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Detroit and Sunny near Central Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Pinconning
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 Pinconning.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Tawas City, MI
Flint station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Central Lake. Straight-line distance: 219.26 mi (352.87 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 Central Lake
City in Antrim County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,238 |
| Coordinates | 45.0700000, -85.2645100 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Central Lake (-85.26451, 45.07)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 412 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.05 | $68.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.40 | $76.81 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.03 | $84.05 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.90 | $95.79 |
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 · Jun 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.