How far is Detroit, MI from Imlay City, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Imlay City, MI is about 57.3 miles (92.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.9 miles (77.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m 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 16m.
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 Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Imlay City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Imlay City.
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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
711 ft · 21 sec · North Cedar Street
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18
Turn left onto East 4th Street
1663 ft · 51 sec · East 4th Street
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19
Turn left onto North Almont Avenue
95 m · 9 sec · North Almont Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Almont Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Imlay City.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
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 Cloudy leaving Detroit and Partly Sunny near Imlay City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Imlay City?
The road trip is about 57.3 miles (92.2 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?
Utica is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.6 miles from Detroit and 28.6 miles from Imlay City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.9 miles (77.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 3:56 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.62 one way or $15.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Detroit and Partly Sunny near Imlay City.
Stop Ideas Near Utica
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Ferndale City Hall
Rochester Municipal Complex
City of Madison Heights
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Utica.
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Royal Oak station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Imlay City. Straight-line distance: 47.93 mi (77.14 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 Imlay City
City in Lapeer County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 3,569 |
| Coordinates | 43.0247500, -83.0777200 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| Country | United States |
End: Imlay City (-83.07772, 43.02475)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 92 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.62 | $15.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.40 | $18.80 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.71 | $21.43 |
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 · May 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.