How far is South Lyon, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from South Lyon, MI to Detroit, MI is about 42 miles (67.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m 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 44m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The second most populous city in Wayne County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Scattered Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Lyon and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Lyon and Detroit.
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1
Start on West Lake Street
9 m · 3 sec · West Lake Street
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2
Turn right onto South Lafayette Street
2608 ft · 1 min · South Lafayette Street
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3
Continue on Pontiac Trail
1.5 mi · 3 min · Pontiac Trail
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4
Turn left onto East 8 Mile Road
3 mi · 4 min · East 8 Mile Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 8 Mile Road
38 m · 3 sec · 8 Mile Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto 8 Mile Road
4 mi · 6 min · 8 Mile Road
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7
Turn right onto Beck Road
3.8 mi · 7 min · Beck Road
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8
Take the ramp slight right toward M 14 East: Detroit
1846 ft · 45 sec
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9
Merge slight left
4.1 mi · 4 min
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10
Continue straight
9.2 mi · 10 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 75 North, M 10: Flint, Downtown
1932 ft · 47 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
1846 ft · 38 sec
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14
Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway
1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue
987 ft · 29 sec
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16
Continue on Fisher Drive West
135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West
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17
Turn right onto Grand River Avenue
2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Griswold Street
834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street
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19
Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue
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21
Continue on Woodward Avenue
38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue
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22
Continue on Woodward Avenue
70 m · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Lyon 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.
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.
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.
Scattered Rain Showers leaving South Lyon and Mostly Cloudy near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Lyon to Detroit?
The road trip is about 42 miles (67.6 km) and usually takes 00h 44m 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?
Livonia is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.8 miles from South Lyon and 22.2 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 32.2 miles (51.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.8 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 7:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.58 one way or $11.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around South Lyon and Mostly Cloudy near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Livonia
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 Livonia.
Greenfield Village, Michigan
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Royal Oak station
Troy Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Lyon and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 32.17 mi (51.78 km).
#1 South Lyon
City in southwestern Oakland County in the U.
| Population | 11,846 |
| Coordinates | 42.4605900, -83.6516100 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| 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: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.58 | $11.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.29 | $12.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.89 | $13.78 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.85 | $15.70 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.