How far is Detroit, MI from Clarkston, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Clarkston, MI is about 42.1 miles (67.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.8 miles (54.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
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 49m.
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 Oakland County in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Clarkston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Clarkston.
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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
39.9 mi · 44 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward M 15: Clarkston, Davison
1903 ft · 54 sec
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9
Turn left onto Ortonville Road
706 ft · 15 sec · Ortonville Road
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10
Continue on North Main Street
1.1 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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11
Turn left onto East Washington Street
26 m · 3 sec · East Washington Street
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Clarkston.
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
39.9 mi · 00h 44m
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 Clear near Clarkston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Clarkston?
The road trip is about 42.1 miles (67.7 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
Clawson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21 miles from Detroit and 21.1 miles from Clarkston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.8 miles (54.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:52 PM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.32 one way or $12.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Detroit and Mostly Clear near Clarkston.
Stop Ideas Near Clawson
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 Clawson.
Troy Transit Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Royal Oak station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Clarkston. Straight-line distance: 33.79 mi (54.38 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 Clarkston
Clarkston is a place in Michigan, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 42.7358600, -83.4188300 |
| Altitude | 306 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clarkston (-83.41883, 42.73586)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.27 | $6.32 | $12.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.96 | $7.35 | $14.69 |
| Premium | $5.56 | $8.23 | $16.45 |
| Diesel | $6.58 | $9.74 | $19.48 |
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 · Nov 07, 2026