How far is Sylvan Lake, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Sylvan Lake, MI to Detroit, MI is about 28.8 miles (46.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 24.1 miles (38.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 12m 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 in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sylvan Lake and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sylvan Lake and Detroit.
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1
Start on Orchard Lake Road
3035 ft · 1 min · Orchard Lake Road
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2
Take the ramp slight right
1210 ft · 33 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Telegraph Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Telegraph Road
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4
Take the exit slight right
116 m · 18 sec
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5
Turn left onto West Square Lake Road
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Square Lake Road
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6
Continue on East Square Lake Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Square Lake Road
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 South: Detroit
2510 ft · 39 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
24 mi · 26 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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12
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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13
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sylvan Lake 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
24 mi · 00h 26m
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.
Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Sylvan Lake and 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 Sylvan Lake to Detroit?
The road trip is about 28.8 miles (46.3 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?
Clawson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.7 miles from Sylvan Lake and 13 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 24.1 miles (38.8 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 7:18 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.81 one way or $7.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers around Sylvan Lake and Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Clawson
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 Clawson.
Troy Transit Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Royal Oak station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sylvan Lake and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 24.12 mi (38.82 km).
#1 Sylvan Lake
Human settlement in Oakland County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,840 |
| Coordinates | 42.6114200, -83.3285500 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| 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: 46 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.81 | $7.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.30 | $8.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.70 | $9.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.36 | $10.71 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.