How far is Merritt, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Merritt, MI to Detroit, MI is about 202.3 miles (325.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 167.8 miles (270.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 05m 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 02m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merritt and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merritt and Detroit.
-
1
Start on the route
17 m · 5 sec
-
2
Turn left onto South Avenue
15 m · 8 sec · South Avenue
-
3
Turn left onto South Merritt Road
2374 ft · 1 min · South Merritt Road
-
4
Turn right onto East Houghton Lake Road
4.5 mi · 6 min · East Houghton Lake Road
-
5
Continue on West Lake City Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · West Lake City Road
-
6
Take the ramp right toward US 127 South: Clare
1677 ft · 41 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
36 mi · 36 min
-
8
Take the exit slight left toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
46.1 mi · 46 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
2040 ft · 39 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
36.3 mi · 39 min
-
11
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
-
12
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
-
15
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
-
16
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
-
17
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
-
18
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merritt 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 75 South
Keep slight left
63 mi · 01h 08m
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.
Clear leaving Merritt and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merritt to Detroit?
The road trip is about 202.3 miles (325.5 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.8 miles from Merritt and 101.4 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 167.8 miles (270.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.5 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 10:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.92 one way or $53.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Merritt and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
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 Merritt and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 167.83 mi (270.1 km).
#1 Merritt
Township in Bay County, Michigan
| Population | 1,360 |
| Coordinates | 44.3297400, -84.9447600 |
| Altitude | 353 |
| 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: 326 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.92 | $53.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.37 | $60.73 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.23 | $66.46 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.87 | $75.74 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.