How far is Detroit, MI from Inkster, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Inkster, MI is about 21 miles (33.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.7 miles (22.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 29m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America
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 Inkster.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Inkster.
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1
Start on Cadillac Square
95 m · 15 sec · Cadillac Square
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2
Turn right onto Bates Street
75 m · 7 sec · Bates Street
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3
Turn right onto East Congress Street
649 ft · 38 sec · East Congress Street
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4
Turn left onto Griswold Street
635 ft · 26 sec · Griswold Street
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5
Turn right onto West Jefferson Avenue
1638 ft · 31 sec · West Jefferson Avenue
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6
Continue on John C Lodge Freeway
2.5 mi · 4 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward I 94 West: Chicago
1845 ft · 39 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Edsel Ford Freeway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
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9
Continue on Detroit Industrial Expressway
9.7 mi · 11 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Ecorse Road, Inkster
1912 ft · 47 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Ecorse Road
158 m · 13 sec · Ecorse Road
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12
Turn right onto Inkster Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · Inkster Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Inkster Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Inkster.
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.
Detroit Industrial Expressway
Continue on Detroit Industrial Expressway
9.72 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Detroit and Sunny near Inkster.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Inkster?
The road trip is about 21 miles (33.8 km) and usually takes 00h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Melvindale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.5 miles from Detroit and 10.5 miles from Inkster.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.7 miles (22.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.64 one way or $5.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Detroit and Sunny near Inkster.
Stop Ideas Near Melvindale
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 Melvindale.
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Detroit
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Inkster. Straight-line distance: 13.74 mi (22.11 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 Inkster
City in Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 24,115 |
| Coordinates | 42.2942000, -83.3099300 |
| Altitude | 191 |
| Country | United States |
End: Inkster (-83.30993, 42.2942)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 34 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 20m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.64 | $5.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.98 | $5.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.26 | $6.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.71 | $7.43 |
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 · Apr 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.