How far is Ludington, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Ludington, MI to Detroit, MI is about 252.3 miles (406.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 205.1 miles (330.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m 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 03h 42m.
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.
City in Ionia County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ludington and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ludington and Detroit.
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1
Start on the route
21 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto West Ludington Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · West Ludington Avenue
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3
Continue on East Ludington Avenue
2597 ft · 1 min · East Ludington Avenue
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4
Continue on West US Highway 10
3046 ft · 1 min · West US Highway 10
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5
Turn right onto South Pere Marquette Highway
2.9 mi · 4 min · South Pere Marquette Highway
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6
Take the ramp right toward US 31 South: Muskegon
1850 ft · 45 sec
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7
Merge slight left
50 mi · 51 min
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8
Keep slight left
6.3 mi · 7 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 96: Grand Rapids, Lansing
1424 ft · 49 sec
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10
Merge slight left
96.4 mi · 1 hr 43 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
66.9 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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12
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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13
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
17.8 mi · 23 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight left toward Larned Street, Downtown
1773 ft · 45 sec
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15
Continue on West Larned Street
1024 ft · 34 sec · West Larned Street
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16
Turn left onto Woodward Avenue
868 ft · 42 sec · Woodward Avenue
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17
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ludington 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 96
Merge slight left
96.4 mi · 01h 43m
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.
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny leaving Ludington and Mostly 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 Ludington to Detroit?
The road trip is about 252.3 miles (406.1 km) and usually takes 03h 42m 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?
Saranac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126 miles from Ludington and 126.3 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 205.1 miles (330.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 47.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.60 one way or $67.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny around Ludington and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Saranac
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 Saranac.
Rockford, Michigan
Vernon J. Ehlers Station
Howard City, Michigan
East Lansing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ludington and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 205.12 mi (330.11 km).
#1 Ludington
City in Mason County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 8,096 |
| Coordinates | 43.9552800, -86.4525800 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| 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: 406 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.60 | $67.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.89 | $75.79 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.47 | $82.93 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.26 | $94.52 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.