How far is Detroit, MI from Swartz Creek, MI?

The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Swartz Creek, MI is about 72.3 miles (116.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58.8 miles (94.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
72.34 mi
01h 23m
Flight
58.83 mi
94.67 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Detroit.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
58.83 mi
Kilometers
94.67 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.34 mi
Kilometers
116.42 km
Drive Time
01h 23m

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 01h 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Swartz Creek
Tue, May 12, 9:54 PM EDT
Return by in Detroit
Tue, May 12, 11:17 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Detroit
2026-05-12T20:30
Arrive Swartz Creek
Tue, May 12, 9:54 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Detroit
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Lake Angelus
MI

City in Oakland County, Michigan

From Detroit
36.2 mi
00h 41m
To Swartz Creek
36.2 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Tuesday

Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 14 mph SSE
Destination
60°F
Tuesday

Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Swartz Creek.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Swartz Creek.

  1. 1

    Start on Cadillac Square

    634 ft · 29 sec · Cadillac Square

  2. 2

    Continue on Cadillac Square

    30 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  3. 3

    Turn slight left onto Randolph Street

    950 ft · 38 sec · Randolph Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Monroe Street

    2106 ft · 1 min · Monroe Street

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive

    10 m · 1 sec · Chrysler Drive

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left

    854 ft · 21 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    60 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw

    4.9 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron

    1372 ft · 33 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron

    1182 ft · 25 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 69 West: Lansing

    1 mi · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

    3.2 mi · 3 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Miller Road

    2052 ft · 58 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Miller Road

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Miller Road

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Miller Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Swartz Creek.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
60 mi · 83%
I 75
4.92 mi · 7%
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
3.24 mi · 4%
Miller Road
1.81 mi · 3%
I 69 West
1.02 mi · 1%
I 69
0.48 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

60 mi · 01h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.5 mi
58.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Angelus
00h 41m from Detroit
Leave By
3:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Detroit and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Swartz Creek.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Swartz Creek?

The road trip is about 72.3 miles (116.4 km) and usually takes 01h 23m 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?

Lake Angelus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from Detroit and 36.2 miles from Swartz Creek.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 58.8 miles (94.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 3:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.62 one way or $19.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Detroit and Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Swartz Creek.

Stop Ideas Near Lake Angelus

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lake Angelus and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 10.3 mi away

Rochester Municipal Complex

Rochester , MI
400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307
City Hall,Emergency services,School,University
City of Pontiac
Meeting point 5.8 mi away

City of Pontiac

Pontiac , MI
47450 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342
Rating 3.3/5 32 reviews City government office,City administration,City clerk's office,Department of finance,Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Angelus.

RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

7 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

20 mi away
449 South Eton St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

20 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive
RAIL

Royal Oak station

27 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Swartz Creek. Straight-line distance: 58.83 mi (94.67 km).

Detroit

#1 Detroit

The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.

Population665,369
Coordinates42.3314300, -83.0457500
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Swartz Creek

#2 Swartz Creek

City in Michigan, US

Population5,491
Coordinates42.9572500, -83.8305100
Altitude240
CountryUnited States
Start: Detroit (-83.04575, 42.33143)
End: Swartz Creek (-83.83051, 42.95725)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 116 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.55 gal
9.66 L · about $9.62
Round trip
$19.23
5.1 gal · 19.32 L
Estimated CO2
22.7 kg one way
Round trip: 45.3 kg / 100 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.62 $19.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.85 $21.69
Premium $4.65 $11.87 $23.74
Diesel $5.30 $13.53 $27.05

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Detroit and Swartz Creek. The current time is 20:30:34.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.