How far is Detroit, MI from Lee, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Lee, MI is about 178.3 miles (287 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.6 miles (250.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 02m 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 31m.
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.
Human settlement in Jackson County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Lee.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Lee.
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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
1.2 km · 1 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Toledo, Flint
97 m · 8 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 South: Toledo
1.2 mi · 2 min
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 96 West: Lansing
2406 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Jeffries Freeway
4.8 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
14.5 mi · 16 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
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12
Continue straight
17.5 mi · 19 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Ann Arbor
5.4 mi · 6 min
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14
Merge slight left onto I 94 West: Chicago
66.7 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward M 311, M 96, I 94 BL: Battle Creek
1350 ft · 33 sec
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16
Continue on Wheatfield Parkway
1796 ft · 32 sec · Wheatfield Parkway
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17
Turn right onto East Michigan Avenue
2.7 mi · 3 min · East Michigan Avenue
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18
Keep slight right to continue on East Michigan Avenue
2.1 mi · 3 min · East Michigan Avenue
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19
Turn left onto Hamblin Street
107 m · 7 sec · Hamblin Street
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20
Continue on East Hamblin Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · East Hamblin Avenue
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21
Turn right onto South Washington Avenue
824 ft · 18 sec · South Washington Avenue
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22
Turn left onto West Michigan Avenue
6.1 mi · 10 min · West Michigan Avenue
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23
Turn slight right onto M-89
1313 ft · 17 sec · M-89
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24
Continue on M 89
8 mi · 9 min · M 89
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25
Continue on East D Avenue
2587 ft · 37 sec · East D Avenue
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26
Turn right onto North 32nd Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North 32nd Street
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27
Turn left onto East C Avenue
1.2 mi · 1 min · East C Avenue
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28
Turn straight onto East Richplain Drive
3.2 mi · 4 min · East Richplain Drive
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29
Continue on M 89
1.1 mi · 1 min · M 89
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30
Continue on Jackson Road
4.5 mi · 6 min · Jackson Road
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31
Continue on East Bridge Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Bridge Street
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32
Continue on Allegan Street
1.4 km · 1 min · Allegan Street
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33
Continue on M-89
1.5 mi · 2 min · M-89
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34
Continue on East Allegan Street
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Allegan Street
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35
Continue on Lincoln Road
7.6 mi · 9 min · Lincoln Road
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36
Continue on Marshall Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Marshall Street
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37
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Canal Street
35 m · 1 sec · North Canal Street
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38
Exit the roundabout onto North Canal Street
50 m · 2 sec · North Canal Street
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39
Continue on North Cedar Street
563 ft · 15 sec · North Cedar Street
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40
Turn left onto Cutler Street
879 ft · 11 sec · Cutler Street
-
41
Continue on Western Avenue
2608 ft · 34 sec · Western Avenue
-
42
Continue on Lincoln Road
3078 ft · 42 sec · Lincoln Road
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43
Turn left onto Monroe Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · Monroe Road
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44
Continue on 118th Avenue
6.3 mi · 9 min · 118th Avenue
-
45
Turn left onto 56th Street
6.8 mi · 9 min · 56th Street
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46
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 56th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Lee.
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 94 West
Merge slight left onto I 94 West: Chicago
66.7 mi · 01h 11m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Detroit and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lee.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Lee?
The road trip is about 178.3 miles (287 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?
Parma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Detroit and 89.4 miles from Lee.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.6 miles (250.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:58 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.72 one way or $47.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Detroit and Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Lee.
Stop Ideas Near Parma
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 Parma.
Albion station
Jackson station
Battle Creek Transportation Center
East Lansing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Lee. Straight-line distance: 155.6 mi (250.42 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 Lee
Township in Allegan County, Michigan
| Population | 4,288 |
| Coordinates | 42.4508700, -86.0908600 |
| Altitude | 197 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lee (-86.09086, 42.45087)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.72 | $47.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.75 | $53.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.27 | $58.55 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.36 | $66.72 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.