How far is Tawas City, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Tawas City, MI to Detroit, MI is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 136 miles (218.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Tawas City and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tawas City and Detroit.
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1
Start on the route
29 m · 8 sec
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2
Turn left
25 m · 7 sec
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3
Turn left
36 m · 11 sec
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4
Turn left onto West Lake Street
1.9 mi · 4 min · West Lake Street
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5
Continue on North Huron Road
26.2 mi · 37 min · North Huron Road
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6
Continue on Center Road
1 km · 1 min · Center Road
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7
Continue on West Huron Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road
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8
Continue on North Main Street
2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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9
Turn right onto West Cedar Street
3191 ft · 54 sec · West Cedar Street
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10
Continue on West M-61
2.4 mi · 4 min · West M-61
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Saginaw
1735 ft · 42 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Saginaw
64.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min
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13
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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14
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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18
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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19
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Tawas City and Detroit.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Saginaw
Merge slight left onto Saginaw
64.5 mi · 01h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Tawas City 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 Tawas City to Detroit?
The road trip is about 178.7 miles (287.6 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?
Birch Run is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.5 miles from Tawas City and 89.2 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 136 miles (218.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.80 one way or $47.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Tawas City and Showers And Thunderstorms near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Birch Run
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 Birch Run.
Saginaw, MI
Flint station
Bay City, MI
Durand Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Tawas City and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 135.96 mi (218.81 km).
#1 Tawas City
City in Iosco County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 1,783 |
| Coordinates | 44.2694600, -83.5147000 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| 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: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $23.80 | $47.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.84 | $53.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.37 | $58.73 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $33.47 | $66.94 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.