How far is Ford River, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Ford River, MI to Detroit, MI is about 441.4 miles (710.4 km), with a travel time of about 06h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 308 miles (495.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 45m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Township in Otsego County, Michigan
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 Ford River and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ford River and Detroit.
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1
Start on 9.9 Lane
26 m · 5 sec · 9.9 Lane
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2
Merge slight right onto Lake Shore
8.6 mi · 11 min · Lake Shore
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3
Continue on US-2/US-41/M-35
46 mi · 55 min · US-2/US-41/M-35
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4
Continue on West Lakeshore Drive
88.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min · West Lakeshore Drive
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5
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
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6
Continue on US-2 West
2455 ft · 46 sec · US-2 West
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
1819 ft · 44 sec
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8
Merge slight left
94.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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10
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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11
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
2456 ft · 38 sec · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Lafayette Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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14
Turn slight right onto Macomb Street
1196 ft · 40 sec · Macomb Street
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15
Turn left onto Beaubien Street
636 ft · 23 sec · Beaubien Street
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16
Turn right onto East Lafayette Street
674 ft · 21 sec · East Lafayette Street
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17
Continue on Bates Street
909 ft · 26 sec · Bates Street
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Congress Street
99 m · 17 sec · East Congress Street
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19
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ford River and Detroit.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Ford River and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ford River to Detroit?
The road trip is about 441.4 miles (710.4 km) and usually takes 06h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Otsego Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 220.2 miles from Ford River and 221.1 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 308 miles (495.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 133.4 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $58.75 one way or $117.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 138.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ford River and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Otsego Lake
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 Otsego Lake.
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Alanson, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ford River and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 307.99 mi (495.67 km).
#1 Ford River
Human settlement in Delta County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,993 |
| Coordinates | 45.6794100, -87.1401300 |
| 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: 710 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $58.75 | $117.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $66.26 | $132.52 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $72.51 | $145.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $82.64 | $165.27 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.