How far is Salem, MI from Detroit, MI?

Fastest route

The directions provide a route from Salem Township, Michigan, USA to Detroit, Michigan, USA. The total distance is approximately 35.4 miles and the estimated travel time is 41 minutes via I-96.

Directions

  1. Get on M-14 E from Curtis Rd, N Territorial Rd, and Gotfredson Rd.
  2. Head south on Mariposa Tr toward Fox Hill Ln.
  3. Turn right onto Fox Hill Ln.
  4. Turn left onto Five Mile Rd.
  5. Turn right at the 1st cross street onto Curtis Rd.
  6. Turn left onto N Territorial Rd.
  7. Turn right onto Old North Territorial Rd.
  8. Turn right onto Gotfredson Rd.
  9. Turn left onto the MI-14 E ramp.
  10. Continue on M-14 E. Take I-96, I-96 Express/Jeffries Fwy, and I-96 E to Washington Blvd in Detroit. Take exit 1B from M-10 S/John C Lodge Fwy.
  11. Keep left at the fork to continue on I-96 Express/Jeffries Fwy.
  12. Continue onto I-96 E/Jeffries Fwy.
  13. Keep left to stay on I-96 E.
  14. Use the left 2 lanes to take the I-75 N/M-10 exit toward Flint/Civic Ctr.
  15. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for M-10.
  16. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for MI-10/Southfield/Civic-Cobo Ctr.
  17. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for M-10 S/Civic Ctr/Cobo Ctr and merge onto M-10 S/John C Lodge Fwy.
  18. Take exit 1B on the left toward Larned St/TCF Center.
  19. Continue on Washington Blvd. Take W Fort St, Griswold St, Michigan Ave, and Woodward Ave to Cadillac Square.
  20. Turn left onto Washington Blvd.
  21. Turn right onto W Fort St.
  22. Continue straight to stay on W Fort St.
  23. Turn left onto Griswold St.
  24. Turn right onto Michigan Ave.
  25. Use the left lane to turn right onto Woodward Ave.
  26. Use the middle lane to turn left to stay on Woodward Ave.
  27. Use the 2nd from the left lane to turn left toward Woodward Ave.
  28. Use the right lane to turn left onto Woodward Ave.
  29. Turn right onto Cadillac Square.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Make sure to follow the given directions and road signs.
  • ⏰ Check for any real-time traffic updates to adjust your route if necessary.
  • 📍 Familiarize yourself with the names of the roads mentioned in the directions.
  • 🗺 Use a navigation app or map to help you navigate the route more easily.
  • 🚦 Observe traffic rules and regulations for a safe and smooth journey.
  • 🛣 Be prepared for any tolls or road conditions that may affect your travel.
  • 📱 Keep your phone charged and have emergency contact numbers handy.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
32.5 mi
00h 38m
Flight
27.75 mi
44.66 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Salem.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
27.75 mi
Kilometers
44.66 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
32.5 mi
Kilometers
52.31 km
Drive Time
00h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit
Tue, May 12, 7:53 PM EDT
Return by in Salem
Tue, May 12, 8:31 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Salem
2026-05-12T19:15
Arrive Detroit
Tue, May 12, 7:53 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:38 AM to 7:38 PM EDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:14 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Salem
10:00 PM EDT
Flexible departure

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
Redford
MI

Charter township in Wayne County, Michigan

From Salem
16.1 mi
00h 19m
To Detroit
16.4 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Tuesday

Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
61°F
Tuesday

Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 14 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Six Mile Road

    799 ft · 23 sec · Six Mile Road

  2. 2

    Continue on 6 Mile Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 6 Mile Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Napier Road

    1 mi · 3 min · Napier Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 5 Mile Road

    2 mi · 3 min · 5 Mile Road

  5. 5

    Turn right onto Beck Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Beck Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward M 14 East: Detroit

    1846 ft · 45 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    4.1 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  10. 10

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

    1932 ft · 47 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    1846 ft · 38 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue

    987 ft · 29 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on Fisher Drive West

    135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Grand River Avenue

    2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Griswold Street

    834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Michigan Avenue

    104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue

  20. 20

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    70 m · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Salem and Detroit.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
22 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
67.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
M 14 East
13.6 mi · 42%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 33%
5 Mile Road
2.02 mi · 6%
6 Mile Road
1.36 mi · 4%
Napier Road
1 mi · 3%
Beck Road
0.85 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Jeffries Freeway (Express)

Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

10.6 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 38m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.7 mi
27.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Redford
00h 19m from Salem
Leave By
7:14 PM EDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers leaving Salem and Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km) and usually takes 00h 38m 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?

Redford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.1 miles from Salem and 16.4 miles from Detroit.

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

The direct path is about 27.8 miles (44.7 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 7:14 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.34 one way or $8.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers around Salem and Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.

Stop Ideas Near Redford

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

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

RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

10 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

11 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Royal Oak station

17 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.
RAIL

Detroit

19 mi away
11 West Baltimore Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Salem and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 27.75 mi (44.66 km).

Salem

#1 Salem

Township in Washtenaw County, Michigan

Population6,464
Coordinates42.4061500, -83.5799400
Altitude285
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: Six Mile Road (-83.579941, 42.406159)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 52 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.15 gal
4.34 L · about $4.34
Round trip
$8.67
2.3 gal · 8.68 L
Estimated CO2
10.2 kg one way
Round trip: 20.4 kg / 45 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.34 $8.67
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.89 $9.78
Premium $4.65 $5.35 $10.70
Diesel $5.30 $6.10 $12.20

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Salem and Detroit. The current time is 19:15:47.

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.