How far is Penn, MI from Detroit, MI?

The driving distance from Penn, MI to Detroit, MI is about 179 miles (288 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 150.4 miles (242.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m 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
178.95 mi
02h 54m
Flight
150.43 mi
242.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Penn.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
150.43 mi
Kilometers
242.09 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.95 mi
Kilometers
288 km
Drive Time
02h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit
Sun, May 31, 5:14 AM EDT
Return by in Penn
Sun, May 31, 8:08 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Penn
2026-05-31T02:20
Arrive Detroit
Sun, May 31, 5:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:54 AM to 12:54 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Penn
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
Albion
MI

City in Calhoun County, Michigan

From Penn
90.1 mi
01h 27m
To Detroit
88.9 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph SE
Destination
74°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Oak Street

    46 m · 12 sec · Oak Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Maple Street

    103 m · 17 sec · Maple Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Quaker Street

    107 m · 10 sec · Quaker Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Penn Road

    58 m · 7 sec · Penn Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Penn Road

    2 mi · 3 min · Penn Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto M-60

    2649 ft · 41 sec · M-60

  7. 7

    Continue on West State Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · West State Street

  8. 8

    Continue on State Highway 60

    1536 ft · 34 sec · State Highway 60

  9. 9

    Continue on East State Street

    1332 ft · 21 sec · East State Street

  10. 10

    Continue on M-60

    13.2 mi · 19 min · M-60

  11. 11

    Turn left onto US-131

    12.6 mi · 15 min · US-131

  12. 12

    Continue on South Grand Street

    8.8 mi · 10 min · South Grand Street

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Detroit

    1 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    96.8 mi · 1 hr 44 min

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  16. 16

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

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  17. 17

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

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  20. 20

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

    1932 ft · 47 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    1846 ft · 38 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue

    987 ft · 29 sec

  24. 24

    Continue on Fisher Drive West

    135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Grand River Avenue

    2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Griswold Street

    834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto Michigan Avenue

    104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue

  28. 28

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue

  29. 29

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue

  30. 30

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    70 m · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue

  31. 31

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  32. 32

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Penn 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
32 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 East
97.4 mi · 54%
M 14 East
26.7 mi · 15%
M-60
13.7 mi · 8%
US-131
12.6 mi · 7%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 6%
South Grand Street
8.77 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

96.8 mi · 01h 44m

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 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.6 mi
150.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albion
01h 27m from Penn
Leave By
12:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Penn and Sunny near Detroit.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 179 miles (288 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?

Albion is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.1 miles from Penn and 88.9 miles from Detroit.

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

The direct path is about 150.4 miles (242.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.6 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 12:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.80 one way or $47.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Penn and Sunny near Detroit.

Stop Ideas Near Albion

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Albion, 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 Albion.

RAIL

Albion station

1 mi away
300 North Eaton St.
RAIL

Jackson station

29 mi away
501 E. Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Battle Creek Transportation Center

37 mi away
104 Capital Ave. S.W.
RAIL

East Lansing station

57 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Penn and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 150.43 mi (242.09 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Penn

Township in Cass County, Michigan

Population1,708
Coordinates41.9469900, -85.9358400
Altitude275
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: Oak Street (-85.935839, 41.946769)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 288 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.31 gal
23.9 L · about $23.80
Round trip
$47.59
12.62 gal · 47.8 L
Estimated CO2
56.1 kg one way
Round trip: 112.2 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.80 $47.59
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.84 $53.67
Premium $4.65 $29.37 $58.73
Diesel $5.30 $33.47 $66.94

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 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Penn and Detroit. The current time is 02:20:24.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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