How far is East Tawas, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from East Tawas, MI to Detroit, MI is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136.5 miles (219.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m 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 02h 54m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between East Tawas and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Tawas and Detroit.
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1
Start on West Bay Street
3166 ft · 1 min · West Bay Street
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2
Continue on East Lake Street
2.7 mi · 6 min · East Lake Street
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3
Continue on North Huron Road
26.2 mi · 37 min · North Huron Road
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4
Continue on Center Road
1 km · 1 min · Center Road
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5
Continue on West Huron Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road
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6
Continue on North Main Street
2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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7
Turn right onto West Cedar Street
3191 ft · 54 sec · West Cedar Street
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8
Continue on West M-61
2.4 mi · 4 min · West M-61
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9
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Saginaw
1735 ft · 42 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Saginaw
64.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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11
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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12
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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16
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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17
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between East Tawas and Detroit.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Saginaw
Merge slight left onto Saginaw
64.5 mi · 01h 07m
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 East Tawas and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from East Tawas to Detroit?
The road trip is about 180.1 miles (289.9 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?
Birch Run is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.2 miles from East Tawas and 90 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136.5 miles (219.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.98 one way or $47.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around East Tawas and Sunny near Detroit.
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 East Tawas and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 136.44 mi (219.58 km).
#1 East Tawas
City in Iosco County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 2,721 |
| Coordinates | 44.2794600, -83.4902500 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 290 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.98 | $47.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.05 | $54.10 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.60 | $59.20 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.73 | $67.47 |
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.