How far is Detroit, MI from Gaines, MI?

The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Gaines, MI is about 73.8 miles (118.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.8 miles (93.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
73.74 mi
01h 32m
Flight
57.86 mi
93.12 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Detroit.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
57.86 mi
Kilometers
93.12 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
73.74 mi
Kilometers
118.68 km
Drive Time
01h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gaines
Fri, Nov 6, 11:52 AM EST
Return by in Detroit
Fri, Nov 6, 1:24 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Detroit
2026-11-06T10:19
Arrive Gaines
Fri, Nov 6, 11:52 AM EST
Route Timing
01h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM EST

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:26 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Detroit
9:30 PM EST
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Lake Angelus
MI

City in Oakland County, Michigan

From Detroit
36.8 mi
00h 46m
To Gaines
36.9 mi
00h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Overnight

Light Rain

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 1:00 AM EST
Wind
12 mph WNW
Destination
36°F
Overnight

Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 3:00 AM EST
Wind
9 mph NW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Gaines.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Gaines.

  1. 1

    Start on Cadillac Square

    634 ft · 29 sec · Cadillac Square

  2. 2

    Continue on Cadillac Square

    30 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  3. 3

    Turn slight left onto Randolph Street

    950 ft · 38 sec · Randolph Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Monroe Street

    2106 ft · 1 min · Monroe Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive

    10 m · 1 sec · Chrysler Drive

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left

    854 ft · 21 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    54.5 mi · 59 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right

    1389 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Turn straight onto South Saginaw Road

    1.5 km · 1 min · South Saginaw Road

  10. 10

    Turn left onto East Baldwin Road

    12.7 mi · 17 min · East Baldwin Road

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Seymour Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · Seymour Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Ray Road

    3.1 mi · 7 min · Ray Road

  13. 13

    Continue on East Lansing Street

    1683 ft · 48 sec · East Lansing Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Genesee Avenue

    93 m · 14 sec · Genesee Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Lord Street

    27 m · 4 sec · West Lord Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Lord Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Gaines.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
21.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
54.8 mi · 74%
East Baldwin Road
12.7 mi · 17%
Ray Road
3.07 mi · 4%
Seymour Road
1 mi · 1%
South Saginaw Road
0.94 mi · 1%
Monroe Street
0.4 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

54.5 mi · 00h 59m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 32m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16 mi
57.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Angelus
00h 46m from Detroit
Leave By
3:26 PM EST
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Rain leaving Detroit and Cloudy near Gaines.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Gaines?

The road trip is about 73.8 miles (118.7 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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 36.8 miles from Detroit and 36.9 miles from Gaines.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 57.8 miles (93.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:26 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.45 one way or $22.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 23.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Rain around Detroit and Cloudy near Gaines.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Angelus

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lake Angelus and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 10.9 mi away

Rochester Municipal Complex

Rochester , MI
400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307
City Hall,Emergency services,School,University
City of Pontiac
Meeting point 6.5 mi away

City of Pontiac

Pontiac , MI
47450 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342
Rating 3.3/5 32 reviews City government office,City administration,City clerk's office,Department of finance,Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Angelus.

RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

7 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

20 mi away
449 South Eton St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

20 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive
RAIL

Royal Oak station

27 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Gaines. Straight-line distance: 57.86 mi (93.12 km).

Detroit

#1 Detroit

The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.

Population665,369
Coordinates42.3314300, -83.0457500
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Gaines

Human settlement in Genesee County, Michigan, United States of America

Population357
Coordinates42.8725300, -83.9141300
Altitude261
CountryUnited States
Start: Detroit (-83.04575, 42.33143)
End: Gaines (-83.91413, 42.87253)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 119 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 27m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 50m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 55m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.6 gal
9.85 L · about $11.45
Round trip
$22.90
5.2 gal · 19.7 L
Estimated CO2
23.1 kg one way
Round trip: 46.2 kg / 102 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.40 $11.45 $22.90
Mid-grade $5.08 $13.21 $26.42
Premium $5.68 $14.77 $29.54
Diesel $6.63 $17.23 $34.47

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 · Nov 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Detroit and Gaines. The current time is 10:19:55.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.