How far is Detroit, MI from Iron Mountain, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Iron Mountain, MI is about 486.3 miles (782.6 km), with a travel time of about 08h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 346.6 miles (557.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 59m 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 59m.
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.
Village in Otsego County, Michigan, United States
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 Iron Mountain.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Iron Mountain.
-
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
2 mi · 3 min · North Lincoln Road
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16
Turn right onto Ludington Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Ludington Street
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17
Continue on US 2 & 41
20.5 mi · 26 min · US 2 & 41
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18
Turn right
29.7 mi · 35 min
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19
Turn left onto East Ludington Street
35 m · 2 sec · East Ludington Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Ludington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Iron Mountain.
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 Iron Mountain.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Iron Mountain?
The road trip is about 486.3 miles (782.6 km) and usually takes 08h 59m 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?
Vanderbilt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 243 miles from Detroit and 243.3 miles from Iron Mountain.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 346.6 miles (557.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 139.7 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 $64.71 one way or $129.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 152.5 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Detroit and Iron Mountain, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Detroit and Partly Sunny near Iron Mountain.
Stop Ideas Near Vanderbilt
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 Vanderbilt.
Walloon Lake, Michigan
Boyne City, Michigan
Petoskey, Michigan
Alanson, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Iron Mountain. Straight-line distance: 346.57 mi (557.75 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 Iron Mountain
City in Dickinson County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 7,268 |
| Coordinates | 45.8202300, -88.0659600 |
| Altitude | 347 |
| Country | United States |
End: Iron Mountain (-88.06596, 45.82023)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 783 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 16h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $64.71 | $129.42 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $72.98 | $145.96 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $79.86 | $159.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $91.02 | $182.03 |
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.