How far is Swartz Creek, MI from Detroit, MI?

The driving distance from Swartz Creek, MI to Detroit, MI is about 72.8 miles (117.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 06m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 58.8 miles (94.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 13m 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
72.76 mi
01h 06m
Flight
58.83 mi
94.67 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Swartz Creek.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
58.83 mi
Kilometers
94.67 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
72.76 mi
Kilometers
117.09 km
Drive Time
01h 06m

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 01h 06m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit
Tue, May 12, 9:05 PM EDT
Return by in Swartz Creek
Tue, May 12, 10:12 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Swartz Creek
2026-05-12T19:58
Arrive Detroit
Tue, May 12, 9:05 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 06m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:07 AM to 11:07 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Swartz Creek
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
Lake Angelus
MI

City in Oakland County, Michigan

From Swartz Creek
36.2 mi
00h 33m
To Detroit
36.5 mi
00h 33m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°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 Swartz Creek and Detroit.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Swartz Creek and Detroit.

  1. 1

    Start on Miller Road

    18 m · 6 sec · Miller Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Morrish Road

    2355 ft · 1 min · Morrish Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1517 ft · 37 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

    4.4 mi · 5 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit

    1999 ft · 49 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit

    1919 ft · 47 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    63 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East

    1185 ft · 29 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive

    41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East Congress Street

    2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Swartz Creek 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
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
65.3 mi · 90%
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
4.42 mi · 6%
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
0.74 mi · 1%
Morrish Road
0.73 mi · 1%
East Congress Street
0.51 mi · 1%
I 75
0.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 South

Keep slight left

63 mi · 01h 08m

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
01h 06m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14 mi
58.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Angelus
00h 33m from Swartz Creek
Leave By
4:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers leaving Swartz Creek 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 Swartz Creek to Detroit?

The road trip is about 72.8 miles (117.1 km) and usually takes 01h 06m 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?

Lake Angelus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.2 miles from Swartz Creek and 36.5 miles from Detroit.

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

The direct path is about 58.8 miles (94.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 4:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.69 one way or $19.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lake Angelus

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lake Angelus and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 10.3 mi away

Rochester Municipal Complex

Rochester , MI
400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307
City Hall,Emergency services,School,University
City of Pontiac
Meeting point 5.7 mi away

City of Pontiac

Pontiac , MI
47450 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342
Rating 3.3/5 32 reviews City government office,City administration,City clerk's office,Department of finance,Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Angelus.

RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

7 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

20 mi away
449 South Eton St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

20 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive
RAIL

Royal Oak station

27 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Swartz Creek and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 58.83 mi (94.67 km).

Swartz Creek

#1 Swartz Creek

City in Michigan, US

Population5,491
Coordinates42.9572500, -83.8305100
Altitude240
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: Miller Road (-83.83051, 42.957232)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 117 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 12m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.57 gal
9.72 L · about $9.69
Round trip
$19.38
5.14 gal · 19.44 L
Estimated CO2
22.8 kg one way
Round trip: 45.7 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.69 $19.38
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.93 $21.86
Premium $4.65 $11.96 $23.92
Diesel $5.30 $13.63 $27.26

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 Swartz Creek and Detroit. The current time is 19:58:44.

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.