How far is Detroit, MI from Elba, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Elba, MI is about 66.9 miles (107.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 52.7 miles (84.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 48m 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 01h 24m.
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, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Elba.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Elba.
-
1
Start on Cadillac Square
634 ft · 29 sec · Cadillac Square
-
2
Continue on Cadillac Square
30 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
-
3
Turn slight left onto Randolph Street
950 ft · 38 sec · Randolph Street
-
4
Turn right onto Monroe Street
2106 ft · 1 min · Monroe Street
-
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
10 m · 1 sec · Chrysler Drive
-
6
Take the ramp slight left
854 ft · 21 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
39.9 mi · 44 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward M 15: Clarkston, Davison
1903 ft · 50 sec
-
9
Turn right onto Ortonville Road
9.7 mi · 14 min · Ortonville Road
-
10
Continue on South State Road
9.6 mi · 14 min · South State Road
-
11
Turn right onto East Lippincott Boulevard
1.5 km · 1 min · East Lippincott Boulevard
-
12
Turn left onto South Oak Road
1.3 km · 1 min · South Oak Road
-
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Oak Road
27 m · 2 sec · South Oak Road
-
14
Exit the roundabout onto South Oak Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Oak Road
-
15
Turn right onto Davison Road
3.1 mi · 4 min · Davison Road
-
16
Turn right onto South Elba Road
1861 ft · 51 sec · South Elba Road
-
17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Elba Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Elba.
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.
Sunny leaving Detroit and Sunny near Elba.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Elba?
The road trip is about 66.9 miles (107.6 km) and usually takes 01h 24m 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?
Lake Angelus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 33.4 miles from Detroit and 33.4 miles from Elba.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 52.7 miles (84.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.2 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 3:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.90 one way or $17.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 21 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Detroit and Sunny near Elba.
Stop Ideas Near Lake Angelus
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rochester Municipal Complex
City of Pontiac
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Angelus.
Pontiac Transportation Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Elba. Straight-line distance: 52.66 mi (84.75 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 Elba
Township in Lapeer County, Michigan
| Population | 1,331 |
| Coordinates | 43.0364200, -83.4399500 |
| Altitude | 259 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elba (-83.43995, 43.03642)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 108 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $8.90 | $17.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $10.04 | $20.07 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $10.98 | $21.97 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $12.52 | $25.03 |
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.