How far is Waterford, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Waterford, MI to Detroit, MI is about 36.3 miles (58.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 41m 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 50m.
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 Oakland County in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waterford and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waterford and Detroit.
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1
Start on David K Drive
1626 ft · 1 min · David K Drive
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Williams Lake Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Williams Lake Road
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3
Turn right onto Dixie Highway
3.6 mi · 6 min · Dixie Highway
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4
Continue on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
2.2 mi · 4 min · Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
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5
Continue on Oakland Avenue
998 ft · 23 sec · Oakland Avenue
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6
Turn straight onto North Saginaw Street
697 ft · 22 sec · North Saginaw Street
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7
Turn left onto East Huron Street
2.5 mi · 4 min · East Huron Street
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South: Detroit
3212 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
25.9 mi · 28 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
2456 ft · 38 sec · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward Lafayette Avenue
1093 ft · 27 sec
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12
Turn slight right onto Macomb Street
1196 ft · 40 sec · Macomb Street
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13
Turn left onto Beaubien Street
636 ft · 23 sec · Beaubien Street
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14
Turn right onto East Lafayette Street
674 ft · 21 sec · East Lafayette Street
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15
Continue on Bates Street
909 ft · 26 sec · Bates Street
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Congress Street
99 m · 17 sec · East Congress Street
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17
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waterford and Detroit.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
25.9 mi · 00h 28m
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 Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waterford to Detroit?
The road trip is about 36.3 miles (58.4 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
Clawson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.1 miles from Waterford and 17.2 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.2 miles (50.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.1 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 4:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.83 one way or $9.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Waterford and Sunny 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 Waterford and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 31.17 mi (50.17 km).
#1 Waterford
Charter township in Oakland county, Michigan
| Population | 75,737 |
| Coordinates | 42.6930300, -83.4118100 |
| Altitude | 294 |
| 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: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.83 | $9.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.44 | $10.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.96 | $11.91 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.79 | $13.58 |
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.