How far is Detroit, MI from Colfax, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Colfax, MI is about 226.9 miles (365.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 181.6 miles (292.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m 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 47m.
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 Michigan, United States
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 Colfax.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Colfax.
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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
54.8 mi · 59 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 West: Grand Rapids
53.7 mi · 58 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
6.6 mi · 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward M 37 North: Newaygo
2102 ft · 51 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Alpine Avenue Northwest
5.1 mi · 8 min · Alpine Avenue Northwest
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15
Turn straight onto M-37
12.8 mi · 18 min · M-37
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Newaygo Road
4 m · 1 sec · Newaygo Road
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Newaygo Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Newaygo Road
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18
Turn left onto Bailey Road
4.9 mi · 7 min · Bailey Road
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19
Turn right onto Squires Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Squires Road
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20
Continue on Alger Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · Alger Avenue
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21
Turn left onto West 128th Street
2443 ft · 38 sec · West 128th Street
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22
Turn straight onto Luce Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Luce Avenue
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23
Continue on West 118th Street
1.5 km · 1 min · West 118th Street
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24
Turn straight onto Warner Avenue
5.9 mi · 8 min · Warner Avenue
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25
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Warner Avenue
2.3 mi · 3 min · South Warner Avenue
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26
Continue on South Stewart Avenue
3134 ft · 1 min · South Stewart Avenue
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27
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.6 km · 3 min · East Main Street
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28
Turn right onto North Stone Road
7.7 mi · 11 min · North Stone Road
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29
Continue on Jefferson Street
1.6 km · 1 min · Jefferson Street
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30
Turn right onto North Green Avenue
2.2 mi · 3 min · North Green Avenue
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31
Turn left onto 4 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 4 Mile Road
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32
Turn right onto North Comstock Avenue
9.1 mi · 22 min · North Comstock Avenue
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33
Turn left onto West 13 Mile Road
2 mi · 5 min · West 13 Mile Road
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34
Continue on East Jackson Road
2 mi · 5 min · East Jackson Road
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Jackson Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Colfax.
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
54.8 mi · 00h 59m
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 Colfax.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Colfax?
The road trip is about 226.9 miles (365.2 km) and usually takes 04h 47m 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?
Portland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.3 miles from Detroit and 113.6 miles from Colfax.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 181.6 miles (292.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.21 one way or $60.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Detroit and Mostly Sunny near Colfax.
Stop Ideas Near Portland
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 Portland.
East Lansing station
Rockford, Michigan
Owosso, MI
Vernon J. Ehlers Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Colfax. Straight-line distance: 181.6 mi (292.25 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 Colfax
Township in Oceana County, Michigan
| Population | 1,328 |
| Coordinates | 43.7433400, -86.0792300 |
| Altitude | 260 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colfax (-86.07923, 43.74334)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 365 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $30.21 | $60.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $34.07 | $68.13 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $37.28 | $74.56 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $42.49 | $84.97 |
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.