How far is Detroit, MI from Dafter, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Dafter, MI is about 337.6 miles (543.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 286.6 miles (461.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 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 05h 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 Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Dafter.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Dafter.
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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
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
159.2 mi · 2 hr 43 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward M 28: Newberry, Munising
2227 ft · 60 sec
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12
Turn left
1.2 km · 58 sec
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13
Turn left onto South Soo Line Road
1.6 km · 4 min · South Soo Line Road
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14
Turn right onto West 10 Mile Road
15 m · 2 sec · West 10 Mile Road
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West 10 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Dafter.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 75
Keep slight left
159 mi · 02h 43m
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 Partly Sunny near Dafter.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Dafter?
The road trip is about 337.6 miles (543.3 km) and usually takes 05h 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?
West Branch is a useful midpoint, sitting about 168.8 miles from Detroit and 168.8 miles from Dafter.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 286.6 miles (461.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 51 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 5:08 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $44.91 one way or $89.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 105.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Detroit and Partly Sunny near Dafter.
Stop Ideas Near West Branch
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 West Branch.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Dafter. Straight-line distance: 286.58 mi (461.21 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 Dafter
Township in Chippewa County, Michigan
| Population | 1,238 |
| Coordinates | 46.3600200, -84.4272600 |
| Altitude | 210 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dafter (-84.42726, 46.36002)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 543 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $44.91 | $89.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $50.65 | $101.31 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $55.43 | $110.86 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $63.17 | $126.34 |
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.