How far is Inkster, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Inkster, MI to Detroit, MI is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.7 miles (22.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 26m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America
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 Inkster and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Inkster and Detroit.
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1
Start on Inkster Road
2.8 mi · 5 min · Inkster Road
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2
Turn left onto Ecorse Road
1415 ft · 32 sec · Ecorse Road
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East: Detroit
1262 ft · 31 sec
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4
Merge slight right onto Detroit Industrial Expressway
9.8 mi · 11 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
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5
Continue on Edsel Ford Freeway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward M 10 South: Downtown, Detroit
1631 ft · 35 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
2.4 mi · 3 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight left toward Larned Street, Downtown
1773 ft · 45 sec
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9
Continue on West Larned Street
1024 ft · 34 sec · West Larned Street
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10
Turn left onto Woodward Avenue
868 ft · 42 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 Inkster 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.
Detroit Industrial Expressway
Merge slight right onto Detroit Industrial Expressway
9.78 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Inkster and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Inkster to Detroit?
The road trip is about 19.4 miles (31.3 km) and usually takes 00h 26m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Melvindale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.4 miles from Inkster and 8.9 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.7 miles (22.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.56 one way or $5.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Inkster and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Melvindale
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 Melvindale.
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Detroit
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Inkster and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 13.74 mi (22.11 km).
#1 Inkster
City in Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 24,115 |
| Coordinates | 42.2942000, -83.3099300 |
| Altitude | 191 |
| 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: 31 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.56 | $5.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.89 | $5.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.16 | $6.33 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.61 | $7.21 |
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.