How far is Imlay City, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Imlay City, MI to Detroit, MI is about 56.2 miles (90.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 47.9 miles (77.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 19m 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 01h 09m.
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 Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imlay City and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imlay City and Detroit.
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1
Start on North Almont Avenue
95 m · 11 sec · North Almont Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East 4th Street
1663 ft · 48 sec · East 4th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Cedar Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · North Cedar Street
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4
Continue on Van Dyke Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · Van Dyke Road
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5
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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6
Continue on Van Dyke Road
22.9 mi · 27 min · Van Dyke Road
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Van Dyke Road North, 18 ½ Mile Road West
1772 ft · 44 sec
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 18 1/2 Mile Road
56 m · 8 sec · 18 1/2 Mile Road
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9
Exit the roundabout onto 18 1/2 Mile Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · 18 1/2 Mile Road
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10
Turn straight onto Mound Road
7.1 mi · 11 min · Mound Road
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Mound Road
953 ft · 16 sec · Mound Road
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12
Take the ramp straight toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1445 ft · 35 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
2073 ft · 51 sec · Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
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14
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.2 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
1011 ft · 25 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I-696 West to I-75 South
2553 ft · 1 min · I-696 West to I-75 South
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17
Merge slight left onto South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
9.7 mi · 11 min · South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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20
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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21
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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22
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imlay City and Detroit.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Van Dyke Road
Continue on Van Dyke Road
22.9 mi · 00h 27m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Imlay City and Partly Cloudy near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Imlay City to Detroit?
The road trip is about 56.2 miles (90.4 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Utica is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28 miles from Imlay City and 28.2 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 47.9 miles (77.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.47 one way or $14.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Imlay City and Partly Cloudy near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Utica
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Ferndale City Hall
Rochester Municipal Complex
City of Madison Heights
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Utica.
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Royal Oak station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imlay City and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 47.93 mi (77.14 km).
#1 Imlay City
City in Lapeer County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 3,569 |
| Coordinates | 43.0247500, -83.0777200 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| 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: 90 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.47 | $14.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.42 | $16.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.21 | $18.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.50 | $21.00 |
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 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.