How far is Detroit, MI from Ford River, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Ford River, MI is about 441.1 miles (709.9 km), with a travel time of about 08h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 308 miles (495.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 05m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Township in Otsego County, 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 Ford River.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Ford River.
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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
117.6 mi · 2 hr 1 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
1913 ft · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left onto US-2 West
1.1 km · 1 min · US-2 West
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13
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
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14
Continue on US-2 West
134.6 mi · 2 hr 40 min · US-2 West
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15
Merge slight left onto North Lincoln Road
8.5 mi · 11 min · North Lincoln Road
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16
Turn right onto 9.9 Lane
26 m · 4 sec · 9.9 Lane
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 9.9 Lane
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Ford River.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US-2 West
Continue on US-2 West
135 mi · 02h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Detroit and Partly Sunny near Ford River.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Ford River?
The road trip is about 441.1 miles (709.9 km) and usually takes 08h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Otsego Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 220.4 miles from Detroit and 220.7 miles from Ford River.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 308 miles (495.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 133.1 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $58.71 one way or $117.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 138.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Detroit and Partly Sunny near Ford River.
Stop Ideas Near Otsego Lake
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 Otsego Lake.
Boyne City, Michigan
Walloon Lake, Michigan
Petoskey, Michigan
Alanson, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Ford River. Straight-line distance: 307.99 mi (495.67 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 Ford River
Human settlement in Delta County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,993 |
| Coordinates | 45.6794100, -87.1401300 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ford River (-87.14013, 45.67941)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 710 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 01m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $58.71 | $117.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $66.22 | $132.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $72.46 | $144.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $82.58 | $165.17 |
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.