How far is Frankfort, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Frankfort, MI to Detroit, MI is about 259.4 miles (417.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.5 miles (362.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m 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 04h 13m.
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.
The largest city in Midland County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Frankfort and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frankfort and Detroit.
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1
Start on Forest Avenue
120 m · 19 sec · Forest Avenue
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2
Turn right onto 6th Street
117 m · 19 sec · 6th Street
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3
Turn right onto Leelanau Avenue
141 m · 23 sec · Leelanau Avenue
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4
Turn right onto 7th Street
120 m · 19 sec · 7th Street
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5
Turn left onto Forest Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Forest Avenue
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6
Continue on Frankfort Highway
6.3 mi · 9 min · Frankfort Highway
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7
Continue on State Highway 115
134 m · 12 sec · State Highway 115
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8
Turn right onto Michigan Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Michigan Avenue
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9
Continue on Benzie Highway
1.6 mi · 3 min · Benzie Highway
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10
Turn left onto Cadillac Highway
17.8 mi · 21 min · Cadillac Highway
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11
Continue on West M-115 Highway
5.3 mi · 6 min · West M-115 Highway
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12
Continue on West Mesick Avenue
2937 ft · 1 min · West Mesick Avenue
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13
Continue on West M-115 Highway
2666 ft · 51 sec · West M-115 Highway
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West M-115 Highway
39 m · 2 sec · West M-115 Highway
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15
Exit the roundabout onto West M-115 Highway
108 m · 5 sec · West M-115 Highway
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16
Merge slight left onto West M-115 Highway
55.4 mi · 1 hr 16 min · West M-115 Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East: Clare
1782 ft · 51 sec
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18
Merge slight left
10.9 mi · 11 min
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19
Take the exit slight left toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
46.1 mi · 46 min
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
2040 ft · 39 sec
-
21
Merge slight left
36.3 mi · 39 min
-
22
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
-
23
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
-
25
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
-
26
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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27
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
-
28
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
-
29
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Frankfort and Detroit.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75 South
Keep slight left
63 mi · 01h 08m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Frankfort and Showers And Thunderstorms near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Frankfort to Detroit?
The road trip is about 259.4 miles (417.4 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?
Midland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.4 miles from Frankfort and 129.9 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.5 miles (362.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.9 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 8:32 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.50 one way or $69.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Frankfort and Showers And Thunderstorms near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Midland
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 Midland.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Frankfort and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 225.48 mi (362.88 km).
#1 Frankfort
City in Benzie County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,289 |
| Coordinates | 44.6336100, -86.2345400 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| 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: 417 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $34.50 | $69.01 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.91 | $77.83 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $42.58 | $85.17 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $48.53 | $97.06 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.