How far is Nelson, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Nelson, MI to Detroit, MI is about 115 miles (185.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91.7 miles (147.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 04m 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 02h 02m.
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 Genesee County, Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nelson and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nelson and Detroit.
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1
Start on Nelson Road
40 m · 11 sec · Nelson Road
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2
Turn left onto South Hemlock Road
5.6 mi · 13 min · South Hemlock Road
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3
Turn right onto East Saginaw Street
1324 ft · 17 sec · East Saginaw Street
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4
Continue on Gratiot Road
11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
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5
Continue on Gratiot Avenue
1.2 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Avenue
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6
Turn right onto Stephens Street
2261 ft · 31 sec · Stephens Street
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7
Continue on Rust Street
141 m · 6 sec · Rust Street
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8
Continue on Rust Avenue Bridge
1.6 mi · 2 min · Rust Avenue Bridge
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9
Continue on South Warren Avenue
1599 ft · 24 sec · South Warren Avenue
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10
Turn right onto East Holland Avenue
2 mi · 2 min · East Holland Avenue
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
72 m · 14 sec
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12
Exit the roundabout onto I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
1338 ft · 46 sec
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13
Merge slight left
23.2 mi · 25 min
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14
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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15
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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18
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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19
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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20
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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21
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nelson 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 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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Nelson and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nelson to Detroit?
The road trip is about 115 miles (185.1 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?
Grand Blanc is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61 miles from Nelson and 54.1 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91.7 miles (147.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.3 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 2:26 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.31 one way or $30.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Nelson and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Grand Blanc
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 Grand Blanc.
Flint station
Durand Union Station
Lapeer station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nelson and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 91.65 mi (147.49 km).
#1 Nelson
Township in Saginaw County, Michigan
| Population | 5,142 |
| Coordinates | 43.3341900, -84.2297100 |
| Altitude | 190 |
| 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: 185 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $15.31 | $30.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.27 | $34.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $18.90 | $37.79 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $21.53 | $43.07 |
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.