How far is Riverside, MI from Detroit, MI?

The driving distance from Riverside, MI to Detroit, MI is about 181.9 miles (292.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 170.9 miles (275.1 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
181.95 mi
02h 54m
Flight
170.95 mi
275.11 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Riverside.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
170.95 mi
Kilometers
275.11 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
181.95 mi
Kilometers
292.82 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
Sat, Apr 18, 8:12 AM EDT
Return by in Riverside
Sat, Apr 18, 11:06 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Riverside
2026-04-18T05:18
Arrive Detroit
Sat, Apr 18, 8:12 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 Riverside
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 Riverside
92.9 mi
01h 27m
To Detroit
89 mi
01h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
15 mph SW
Destination
70°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Riverside Road

    1341 ft · 39 sec · Riverside Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Coloma Road

    129 m · 13 sec · Coloma Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp left

    1153 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    3.3 mi · 4 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight left toward I-94 EAST: Detroit

    1 mi · 2 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto I 94: Detroit

    136.8 mi · 2 hr 27 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

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

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

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

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  12. 12

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

    1932 ft · 47 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    1846 ft · 38 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue

    987 ft · 29 sec

  16. 16

    Continue on Fisher Drive West

    135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Grand River Avenue

    2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Griswold Street

    834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Michigan Avenue

    104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    70 m · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  24. 24

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Riverside 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
24 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94
137 mi · 75%
M 14 East
26.7 mi · 15%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 6%
M 14
4.69 mi · 3%
Coloma Road
3.59 mi · 2%
I-94 EAST
1.01 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 94

Merge slight left onto I 94: Detroit

137 mi · 02h 27m

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
+11 mi
170.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Albion
01h 27m from Riverside
Leave By
12:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Riverside and Showers And Thunderstorms near Detroit.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 181.9 miles (292.8 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 92.9 miles from Riverside and 89 miles from Detroit.

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

The direct path is about 170.9 miles (275.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 $24.21 one way or $48.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Riverside and Showers And Thunderstorms 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 Riverside and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 170.95 mi (275.11 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Riverside

Township of Michigan

Population1,203
Coordinates42.1833700, -86.3828000
Altitude196
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: Riverside Road (-86.382654, 42.183166)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 293 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 38m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 01m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.42 gal
24.3 L · about $24.21
Round trip
$48.42
12.84 gal · 48.6 L
Estimated CO2
57.1 kg one way
Round trip: 114.1 kg / 252 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $24.21 $48.42
Mid-grade $4.25 $27.30 $54.61
Premium $4.65 $29.88 $59.76
Diesel $5.30 $34.05 $68.10

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Riverside and Detroit. The current time is 05:18:13.

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.