How far is Detroit, MI from Merritt, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Merritt, MI is about 202.2 miles (325.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 167.8 miles (270.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 14m 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 37m.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Merritt.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Merritt.
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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
60 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
51.3 mi · 55 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West: Midland
1046 ft · 36 sec
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10
Continue straight
11.3 mi · 11 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on US 10: Clare
70.8 mi · 1 hr 11 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward M 55: Cadillac, Houghton Lake
1753 ft · 48 sec
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13
Turn left onto West Lake City Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · West Lake City Road
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14
Continue on East Houghton Lake Road
4.5 mi · 6 min · East Houghton Lake Road
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15
Turn left onto South Merritt Road
2374 ft · 1 min · South Merritt Road
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16
Turn right onto South Avenue
15 m · 2 sec · South Avenue
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17
Turn right
17 m · 4 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Merritt.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 10
Keep slight right to continue on US 10: Clare
70.8 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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Detroit and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Merritt.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Merritt?
The road trip is about 202.2 miles (325.4 km) and usually takes 03h 37m 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 101 miles from Detroit and 101.2 miles from Merritt.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 167.8 miles (270.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.92 one way or $53.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Detroit and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Merritt.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
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 Merritt. Straight-line distance: 167.83 mi (270.1 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 Merritt
Township in Bay County, Michigan
| Population | 1,360 |
| Coordinates | 44.3297400, -84.9447600 |
| Altitude | 353 |
| Country | United States |
End: Merritt (-84.94476, 44.32974)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 325 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.92 | $53.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.37 | $60.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.23 | $66.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.87 | $75.74 |
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 · Jun 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.