How far is Detroit, MI from Sault Ste. Marie, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Sault Ste. Marie, MI is about 345.6 miles (556.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 294.7 miles (474.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 04m 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 06h 02m.
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.
Township in Montcalm County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie.
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1
Start on Cadillac Square
634 ft · 27 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
167.8 mi · 2 hr 51 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Easterday Avenue
1668 ft · 41 sec
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12
Turn right onto West Easterday Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · West Easterday Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Bingham Avenue
1576 ft · 1 min · Bingham Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Dawson Street
88 m · 13 sec · Dawson Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dawson Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 75
Keep slight left
168 mi · 02h 51m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Detroit and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Sault Ste. Marie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie?
The road trip is about 345.6 miles (556.2 km) and usually takes 06h 02m 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?
Maple Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 172.8 miles from Detroit and 172.8 miles from Sault Ste. Marie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 294.7 miles (474.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 50.9 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 $45.97 one way or $91.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Detroit and Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny near Sault Ste. Marie.
Stop Ideas Near Maple Valley
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 Maple Valley.
Manton, Michigan
Cadillac, Michigan
Tawas City, MI
Kingsley, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Sault Ste. Marie. Straight-line distance: 294.75 mi (474.35 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 Sault Ste. Marie
City in Michigan, United States
| Population | 13,359 |
| Coordinates | 46.4953000, -84.3453200 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sault Ste. Marie (-84.34532, 46.4953)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 556 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $45.97 | $91.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $51.84 | $103.69 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $56.73 | $113.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $64.66 | $129.31 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.