How far is Detroit, MI from Tawas City, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Tawas City, MI is about 178.6 miles (287.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136 miles (218.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m 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 27m.
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.
Village in Michigan, United States
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 Tawas City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Tawas City.
-
1
Start on Cadillac Square
634 ft · 29 sec · Cadillac Square
-
2
Continue on Cadillac Square
30 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
-
3
Turn slight left onto Randolph Street
950 ft · 38 sec · Randolph Street
-
4
Turn right onto Monroe Street
2106 ft · 1 min · Monroe Street
-
5
At the end of the road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
10 m · 1 sec · Chrysler Drive
-
6
Take the ramp slight left
854 ft · 21 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
60 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
52.4 mi · 56 min
-
9
Keep slight left
26.6 mi · 27 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
2011 ft · 51 sec
-
11
Turn right onto M-61
2.1 mi · 3 min · M-61
-
12
Continue on West Cedar Street
3191 ft · 1 min · West Cedar Street
-
13
Turn left onto North Main Street
2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
-
14
Continue on West Huron Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road
-
15
Continue on West Center Road
1 km · 1 min · West Center Road
-
16
Continue on East Huron Road
26.2 mi · 37 min · East Huron Road
-
17
Continue on West Lake Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · West Lake Street
-
18
Turn right
36 m · 6 sec
-
19
Turn right
25 m · 4 sec
-
20
Turn right
29 m · 7 sec
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Tawas City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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 Tawas City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Tawas City?
The road trip is about 178.6 miles (287.4 km) and usually takes 03h 27m 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?
Birch Run is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.3 miles from Detroit and 89.4 miles from Tawas City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136 miles (218.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.6 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 10:04 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.76 one way or $47.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Detroit and Chance Rain Showers near Tawas City.
Stop Ideas Near Birch Run
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 Birch Run.
Saginaw, MI
Flint station
Bay City, MI
Durand Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Tawas City. Straight-line distance: 135.96 mi (218.81 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 Tawas City
City in Iosco County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 1,783 |
| Coordinates | 44.2694600, -83.5147000 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Tawas City (-83.5147, 44.26946)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 287 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.76 | $47.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.79 | $53.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.42 | $66.83 |
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.