How far is Waterford, MI from Ann Arbor, MI?
The driving distance from Waterford, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is about 45.4 miles (73.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 51m 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 00h 55m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterford and Ann Arbor.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Ann Arbor.
-
1
Start on David K Drive
1626 ft · 1 min · David K Drive
-
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Williams Lake Road
6.3 mi · 10 min · Williams Lake Road
-
3
Turn right onto Cooley Lake Road
1337 ft · 35 sec · Cooley Lake Road
-
4
Turn left onto Union Lake Road
2.5 mi · 5 min · Union Lake Road
-
5
At the end of the road, turn right onto Richardson Road
1069 ft · 30 sec · Richardson Road
-
6
Turn left onto Martin Road
2592 ft · 49 sec · Martin Road
-
7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Martin Parkway
47 m · 3 sec · Martin Parkway
-
8
Exit the roundabout onto Martin Parkway
1598 ft · 30 sec · Martin Parkway
-
9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Martin Parkway
34 m · 2 sec · Martin Parkway
-
10
Exit the roundabout onto Martin Parkway
3199 ft · 1 min · Martin Parkway
-
11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Martin Parkway
45 m · 3 sec · Martin Parkway
-
12
Exit the roundabout onto Martin Parkway
1082 ft · 20 sec · Martin Parkway
-
13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Haggerty Connector
51 m · 9 sec · Haggerty Connector
-
14
Exit the roundabout onto Haggerty Connector
3.4 mi · 5 min · Haggerty Connector
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward 12 Mile Road
1199 ft · 15 sec
-
16
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 West: Lansing
1.4 km · 55 sec
-
17
Continue on I 96 West
880 ft · 11 sec
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on I 696 East, M 5 East, I 96 East: Detroit
1355 ft · 17 sec
-
19
Merge slight left onto Haggerty Connector
1189 ft · 14 sec · Haggerty Connector
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 96 East, I 275 South: Detroit, Toledo
1460 ft · 36 sec
-
21
Continue straight
6.5 mi · 7 min
-
22
Take the exit slight right toward M 14: Ann Arbor
1 km · 1 min
-
23
Merge slight left
16.5 mi · 18 min
-
24
Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Ann Arbor
1.7 mi · 2 min
-
25
Take the exit right toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor
1.5 km · 2 min
-
26
Turn left onto Depot Street
1969 ft · 1 min · Depot Street
-
27
Turn right
36 m · 7 sec
-
28
Continue on North State Street
3204 ft · 1 min · North State Street
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South State Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford and Ann Arbor.
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.
M 14
Merge slight left
16.5 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Sunny leaving Waterford and Sunny near Ann Arbor.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterford to Ann Arbor?
The road trip is about 45.4 miles (73.1 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?
Northville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22 miles from Waterford and 23.4 miles from Ann Arbor.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 33.2 miles (53.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.2 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 4:38 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.03 one way or $12.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waterford and Sunny near Ann Arbor.
Stop Ideas Near Northville
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 Northville.
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Ann Arbor station
Troy Transit Center
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Waterford and Ann Arbor. Straight-line distance: 33.24 mi (53.5 km).
#1 Waterford
Charter township in Oakland county, Michigan
| Population | 75,737 |
| Coordinates | 42.6930300, -83.4118100 |
| Altitude | 294 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ann Arbor
The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
| Population | 119,280 |
| Coordinates | 42.2775600, -83.7408800 |
| Altitude | 269 |
| Country | United States |
End: South State Street (-83.740762, 42.277562)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 73 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.03 | $12.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.80 | $13.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.45 | $14.89 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.49 | $16.97 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.