How far is Houghton Lake, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Houghton Lake, MI to Detroit, MI is about 191.2 miles (307.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162 miles (260.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 00m 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 03h 00m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houghton Lake and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houghton Lake and Detroit.
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1
Start on Stone School Road
20 m · 3 sec · Stone School Road
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2
Turn right onto West Houghton Lake Drive
6.8 mi · 10 min · West Houghton Lake Drive
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3
Turn straight onto West Branch Road
108.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min · West Branch Road
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4
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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5
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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8
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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9
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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10
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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11
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houghton Lake 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.
West Branch Road
Turn straight onto West Branch Road
108 mi · 01h 54m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Houghton Lake and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houghton Lake to Detroit?
The road trip is about 191.2 miles (307.7 km) and usually takes 03h 00m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.4 miles from Houghton Lake and 95.8 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162 miles (260.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.2 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 12:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.45 one way or $50.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Houghton Lake and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Saginaw, MI
Bay City, MI
Flint station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houghton Lake and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 161.99 mi (260.7 km).
#1 Houghton Lake
Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 3,427 |
| Coordinates | 44.3147400, -84.7647500 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| 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: 308 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 46m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.45 | $50.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $28.71 | $57.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.41 | $62.83 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $35.80 | $71.60 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.