How far is Detroit, MI from Waterford, MI?
The driving distance from Detroit, MI to Waterford, MI is about 38.4 miles (61.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 52m.
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.
City in Oakland County in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Detroit and Waterford.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit and Waterford.
-
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
26.9 mi · 30 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward M 59 West: Pontiac
1446 ft · 49 sec
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9
Merge slight left
2.7 mi · 4 min
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10
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
1917 ft · 51 sec · Woodward Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
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12
Continue on Dixie Highway
3.6 mi · 6 min · Dixie Highway
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13
Turn left onto Williams Lake Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Williams Lake Road
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14
Turn right onto David K Drive
1626 ft · 1 min · David K Drive
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · David K Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Detroit and Waterford.
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
26.9 mi · 00h 30m
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.
Sunny leaving Detroit and Sunny near Waterford.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Detroit to Waterford?
The road trip is about 38.4 miles (61.8 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Clawson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.2 miles from Detroit and 19.2 miles from Waterford.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.2 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 4:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.13 one way or $10.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Detroit and Sunny near Waterford.
Stop Ideas Near Clawson
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 Clawson.
Troy Transit Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Royal Oak station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Detroit and Waterford. Straight-line distance: 31.17 mi (50.17 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 Waterford
Charter township in Oakland county, Michigan
| Population | 75,737 |
| Coordinates | 42.6930300, -83.4118100 |
| Altitude | 294 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waterford (-83.41181, 42.69303)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.13 | $10.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.78 | $11.57 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.33 | $12.66 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.21 | $14.43 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.