How far is Detroit, MI from Scottville, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Scottville, MI is about 255.8 miles (411.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 197.9 miles (318.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 21m 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 04h 40m.
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.
City in Ionia County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Scottville.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Scottville.
-
1
Start on Cadillac Square
95 m · 15 sec · Cadillac Square
-
2
Turn right onto Bates Street
75 m · 7 sec · Bates Street
-
3
Turn right onto East Congress Street
649 ft · 38 sec · East Congress Street
-
4
Turn left onto Griswold Street
635 ft · 26 sec · Griswold Street
-
5
Turn right onto West Jefferson Avenue
1638 ft · 31 sec · West Jefferson Avenue
-
6
Continue on John C Lodge Freeway
17.8 mi · 23 min · John C Lodge Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight left toward I 696 West: Lansing
2310 ft · 56 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
-
9
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
-
10
Keep slight left
54.8 mi · 59 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 West: Grand Rapids
53.7 mi · 58 min
-
12
Keep slight right to continue on I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
36.9 mi · 40 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington
2543 ft · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left
59.3 mi · 1 hr 1 min
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on US 10 East, US 31: Clare, Traverse City
2372 ft · 1 min
-
16
Continue straight
5.1 mi · 7 min
-
17
Turn right
15 m · 4 sec
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Scottville.
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 31 North
Merge slight left
59.3 mi · 01h 01m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Detroit and Chance Rain Showers near Scottville.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Scottville?
The road trip is about 255.8 miles (411.6 km) and usually takes 04h 40m 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?
Saranac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.7 miles from Detroit and 128.1 miles from Scottville.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 197.9 miles (318.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.9 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.01 one way or $68.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Detroit and Chance Rain Showers near Scottville.
Stop Ideas Near Saranac
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 Saranac.
Rockford, Michigan
Vernon J. Ehlers Station
Howard City, Michigan
East Lansing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Scottville. Straight-line distance: 197.88 mi (318.46 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 Scottville
City in Mason County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,209 |
| Coordinates | 43.9547300, -86.2800800 |
| Altitude | 209 |
| Country | United States |
End: Scottville (-86.28008, 43.95473)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 412 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.01 | $68.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.36 | $76.72 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.98 | $83.96 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.84 | $95.68 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.