How far is Lawrence, MI from Detroit, MI?

The driving distance from Lawrence, MI to Detroit, MI is about 165.7 miles (266.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 153.9 miles (247.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
165.71 mi
02h 35m
Flight
153.85 mi
247.59 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lawrence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
153.85 mi
Kilometers
247.59 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
165.71 mi
Kilometers
266.68 km
Drive Time
02h 35m

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 02h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit
Thu, Oct 15, 11:02 PM EDT
Return by in Lawrence
Fri, Oct 16, 1:37 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lawrence
2026-10-15T20:27
Arrive Detroit
Thu, Oct 15, 11:02 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:35 AM to 12:35 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:20 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lawrence
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Sandstone
MI

Township in Jackson County, Michigan

From Lawrence
82.1 mi
01h 17m
To Detroit
83.6 mi
01h 17m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Tonight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 PM EDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph SSW
Destination
66°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 3:00 PM EDT
Wind
10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lawrence and Detroit.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lawrence and Detroit.

  1. 1

    Start on West Saint Joseph Street

    3037 ft · 1 min · West Saint Joseph Street

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on Red Arrow Highway

    4 mi · 6 min · Red Arrow Highway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto County Road 671

    1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 671

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto 43rd Street

    88 m · 5 sec · 43rd Street

  5. 5

    Continue on M-51

    117 m · 6 sec · M-51

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 East: Detroit

    1298 ft · 32 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    114.4 mi · 2 hr 3 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

    Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward I 75 North, M 10: Flint, Downtown

    1932 ft · 47 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    1846 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue

    987 ft · 29 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on Fisher Drive West

    135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Grand River Avenue

    2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Griswold Street

    834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Michigan Avenue

    104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    70 m · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lawrence and Detroit.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
15.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 East
115 mi · 69%
M 14 East
26.7 mi · 16%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 6%
M 14
4.69 mi · 3%
Red Arrow Highway
4.04 mi · 2%
Fisher Freeway
0.8 mi
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

114 mi · 02h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.8 mi
153.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sandstone
01h 17m from Lawrence
Leave By
1:20 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lawrence and Slight Chance Light Rain near Detroit.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lawrence to Detroit?

The road trip is about 165.7 miles (266.7 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?

Sandstone is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.1 miles from Lawrence and 83.6 miles from Detroit.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 153.9 miles (247.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.8 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 1:20 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.87 one way or $53.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Lawrence and Slight Chance Light Rain near Detroit.

Stop Ideas Near Sandstone

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Sandstone, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sandstone.

RAIL

Jackson station

10 mi away
501 E. Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Albion station

20 mi away
300 North Eaton St.
RAIL

East Lansing station

52 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road
RAIL

Battle Creek Transportation Center

55 mi away
104 Capital Ave. S.W.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lawrence and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 153.85 mi (247.59 km).

Lawrence

#1 Lawrence

Village in Michigan, United States

Population970
Coordinates42.2192100, -86.0514100
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Detroit

#2 Detroit

The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.

Population665,369
Coordinates42.3314300, -83.0457500
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: West Saint Joseph Street (-86.05141, 42.219248)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 267 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 31m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 22m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 04m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.85 gal
22.13 L · about $26.87
Round trip
$53.75
11.7 gal · 44.26 L
Estimated CO2
52 kg one way
Round trip: 104 kg / 229 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.59 $26.87 $53.75
Mid-grade $5.25 $30.69 $61.38
Premium $5.85 $34.19 $68.39
Diesel $6.48 $37.91 $75.82

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Lawrence and Detroit. The current time is 20:27:18.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.