How far is Petoskey, MI from Detroit, MI?

The driving distance from Petoskey, MI to Detroit, MI is about 268.2 miles (431.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 230.7 miles (371.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
268.2 mi
04h 09m
Flight
230.69 mi
371.26 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Petoskey.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
230.69 mi
Kilometers
371.26 km
Flight Time
00h 27m

Driving Distance

Road route
268.2 mi
Kilometers
431.62 km
Drive Time
04h 09m

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 04h 09m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit
Thu, Apr 23, 4:57 AM EDT
Return by in Petoskey
Thu, Apr 23, 9:06 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Petoskey
2026-04-23T00:47
Arrive Detroit
Thu, Apr 23, 4:57 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 09m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:09 AM to 12:09 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:42 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Petoskey
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Pinconning
MI

City in Bay County, Michigan, United States of America

From Petoskey
133.7 mi
02h 04m
To Detroit
134.5 mi
02h 04m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
73°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Howard Street

    2874 ft · 1 min · Howard Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Sheridan Street

    1584 ft · 44 sec · East Sheridan Street

  3. 3

    Continue on West Sheridan Road

    2544 ft · 1 min · West Sheridan Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Spring Street

    1362 ft · 28 sec · Spring Street

  5. 5

    Continue on US-131

    5 mi · 7 min · US-131

  6. 6

    Continue on US 131 North

    13.3 mi · 18 min · US 131 North

  7. 7

    Continue on North US 131 Highway

    3.6 mi · 5 min · North US 131 Highway

  8. 8

    Turn left onto M-32 Highway

    12.4 mi · 17 min · M-32 Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit right toward I 75 South

    2170 ft · 53 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    31.5 mi · 31 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit

    124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    63 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East

    1185 ft · 29 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive

    41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Congress Street

    2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Petoskey 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
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75
198 mi · 74%
I 75 South
31.9 mi · 12%
US 131 North
13.3 mi · 5%
M-32 Highway
12.4 mi · 5%
US-131
4.99 mi · 2%
North US 131 Highway
3.58 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75

Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit

124 mi · 02h 07m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 09m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.5 mi
230.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pinconning
02h 04m from Petoskey
Leave By
8:42 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Petoskey 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 Petoskey to Detroit?

The road trip is about 268.2 miles (431.6 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?

Pinconning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.7 miles from Petoskey and 134.5 miles from Detroit.

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

The direct path is about 230.7 miles (371.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.5 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 8:42 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.67 one way or $71.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Petoskey and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.

Stop Ideas Near Pinconning

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

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

BUS

Bay City, MI

29 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
BUS

Saginaw, MI

47 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Tawas City, MI

57 mi away
1020 West Lake Street
RAIL

Flint station

97 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Petoskey and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 230.69 mi (371.26 km).

Petoskey

#1 Petoskey

City in Michigan, United States of America

Population5,727
Coordinates45.3733400, -84.9553300
Altitude203
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: Howard Street (-84.955607, 45.373345)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 432 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 56m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.46 gal
35.82 L · about $35.67
Round trip
$71.35
18.92 gal · 71.64 L
Estimated CO2
84.1 kg one way
Round trip: 168.1 kg / 371 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $35.67 $71.35
Mid-grade $4.25 $40.23 $80.47
Premium $4.65 $44.03 $88.05
Diesel $5.30 $50.18 $100.35

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

There is no time difference between Petoskey and Detroit. The current time is 00:47:51.

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.