How far is Rochester Hills, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Rochester Hills, MI to Detroit, MI is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 36m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Oakland County, Michigan, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rochester Hills and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rochester Hills and Detroit.
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1
Start on Dickson Lane
1164 ft · 53 sec · Dickson Lane
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Downhill Lane
115 m · 18 sec · Downhill Lane
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3
Turn right onto Dressler Lane
60 m · 14 sec · Dressler Lane
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4
Turn left onto South Livernois Road
1426 ft · 27 sec · South Livernois Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Livernois Road
35 m · 2 sec · South Livernois Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto South Livernois Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · South Livernois Road
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7
Turn left onto West Auburn Road
1 mi · 2 min · West Auburn Road
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8
Turn right onto South Rochester Road
5.3 mi · 9 min · South Rochester Road
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9
Take the ramp straight toward I 75 South: Detroit
1324 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
16.3 mi · 18 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
2456 ft · 38 sec · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Lafayette Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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13
Turn slight right onto Macomb Street
1196 ft · 40 sec · Macomb Street
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14
Turn left onto Beaubien Street
636 ft · 23 sec · Beaubien Street
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15
Turn right onto East Lafayette Street
674 ft · 21 sec · East Lafayette Street
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16
Continue on Bates Street
909 ft · 26 sec · Bates Street
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Congress Street
99 m · 17 sec · East Congress Street
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18
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rochester Hills and Detroit.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
16.3 mi · 00h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rochester Hills 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 Rochester Hills to Detroit?
The road trip is about 27.9 miles (44.9 km) and usually takes 00h 36m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Madison Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.1 miles from Rochester Hills and 14.8 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.73 one way or $7.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Rochester Hills and Showers And Thunderstorms near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Madison Heights
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 Madison Heights.
Royal Oak station
Troy Transit Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Detroit
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rochester Hills and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 23.2 mi (37.34 km).
#1 Rochester Hills
A city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 74,111 |
| Coordinates | 42.6583700, -83.1499300 |
| Altitude | 251 |
| 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: 45 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.73 | $7.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.21 | $8.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.61 | $9.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.25 | $10.50 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.