How far is Detroit, MI from Houghton Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Houghton Lake, MI is about 190.8 miles (307.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162 miles (260.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m 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 03h 28m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Houghton Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Houghton Lake.
-
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
60 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
52.4 mi · 56 min
-
9
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac
14.6 mi · 21 min
-
11
Turn left onto Stone School Road
20 m · 3 sec · Stone School Road
-
12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Stone School Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Houghton Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Detroit and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Houghton Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Houghton Lake?
The road trip is about 190.8 miles (307.1 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.4 miles from Detroit and 95.4 miles from Houghton Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162 miles (260.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.8 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 10:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.38 one way or $50.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Detroit and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Houghton Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Saginaw, MI
Bay City, MI
Flint station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Houghton Lake. Straight-line distance: 161.99 mi (260.7 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 Houghton Lake
Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 3,427 |
| Coordinates | 44.3147400, -84.7647500 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| Country | United States |
End: Houghton Lake (-84.76475, 44.31474)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 307 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.38 | $50.76 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.62 | $57.25 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.32 | $62.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.70 | $71.39 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.