How far is Detroit, MI from South Lyon, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to South Lyon, MI is about 39.7 miles (63.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 53m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The second most populous city in Wayne County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Scattered Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and South Lyon.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and South Lyon.
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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
4.3 mi · 5 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Beck Road
2148 ft · 56 sec
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14
Turn right onto Beck Road
3.6 mi · 7 min · Beck Road
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15
Turn left onto West 8 Mile Road
4 mi · 5 min · West 8 Mile Road
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 8 Mile Road
37 m · 2 sec · 8 Mile Road
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17
Exit the roundabout onto 8 Mile Road
3 mi · 4 min · 8 Mile Road
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18
Turn right onto Pontiac Trail
1.5 mi · 3 min · Pontiac Trail
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19
Continue on South Lafayette Street
2608 ft · 1 min · South Lafayette Street
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20
Turn left onto West Lake Street
9 m · 1 sec · West Lake Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Lake Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and South Lyon.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
14.5 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Detroit and Scattered Rain Showers near South Lyon.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to South Lyon?
The road trip is about 39.7 miles (63.9 km) and usually takes 00h 53m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Livonia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.8 miles from Detroit and 19.9 miles from South Lyon.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.28 one way or $10.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Detroit and Scattered Rain Showers near South Lyon.
Stop Ideas Near Livonia
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 Livonia.
Greenfield Village, Michigan
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Royal Oak station
Troy Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and South Lyon. Straight-line distance: 32.17 mi (51.78 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 South Lyon
City in southwestern Oakland County in the U.
| Population | 11,846 |
| Coordinates | 42.4605900, -83.6516100 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Lyon (-83.65161, 42.46059)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 64 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 29m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.28 | $10.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.95 | $11.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.52 | $13.03 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.43 | $14.85 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.