How far is Detroit, MI from Dayton, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Dayton, MI is about 97.4 miles (156.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 79 miles (127.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m 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 14m.
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 Morton County, North Dakota
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Dayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Dayton.
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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
16.4 mi · 18 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Rochester Road
2292 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn right onto Rochester Road
793 ft · 18 sec · Rochester Road
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10
Turn right onto East Big Beaver Road
2 mi · 4 min · East Big Beaver Road
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11
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
3.1 mi · 5 min · Metropolitan Parkway
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12
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
714 ft · 23 sec · Metropolitan Parkway
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13
Turn right onto Van Dyke Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Van Dyke Avenue
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14
Keep slight right to continue on M 53 North: Imlay City
24.2 mi · 30 min
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15
Turn left onto North Van Dyke Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · North Van Dyke Road
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16
Continue on South Cedar Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Cedar Street
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17
Continue on North Cedar Street
3244 ft · 1 min · North Cedar Street
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18
Continue on North Van Dyke Road
19.7 mi · 25 min · North Van Dyke Road
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19
Continue on Main Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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20
Continue on South Van Dyke Road
5.2 mi · 6 min · South Van Dyke Road
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21
Turn left onto Sanilac Road
4.5 mi · 5 min · Sanilac Road
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22
Continue on State Street
1 mi · 1 min · State Street
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23
Continue on East Sanilac Road
4.5 mi · 5 min · East Sanilac Road
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24
Turn right onto South Hurds Corner Road
3.5 mi · 14 min · South Hurds Corner Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Hurds Corner Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Dayton.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
M 53 North
Keep slight right to continue on M 53 North: Imlay City
24.2 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Detroit and Mostly Sunny near Dayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Dayton?
The road trip is about 97.4 miles (156.7 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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?
Almont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Detroit and 48.7 miles from Dayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 79 miles (127.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.4 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 2:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.97 one way or $25.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Detroit and Mostly Sunny near Dayton.
Stop Ideas Near Almont
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 Almont.
Lapeer station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Dayton. Straight-line distance: 79.04 mi (127.21 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 Dayton
Township of Tuscola County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 1,755 |
| Coordinates | 43.4616900, -83.2874500 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dayton (-83.28745, 43.46169)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.97 | $25.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.63 | $29.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.01 | $32.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.25 | $36.49 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.