How far is Watertown, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Watertown, MI to Detroit, MI is about 83 miles (133.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 70.6 miles (113.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 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.
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 01h 36m.
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.
Place in Michigan, United States of America
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 Watertown and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watertown and Detroit.
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1
Start on Watertown Road
705 ft · 33 sec · Watertown Road
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Sandusky Road
5.7 mi · 8 min · South Sandusky Road
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3
Turn left onto East Peck Road
2621 ft · 46 sec · East Peck Road
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4
Turn right onto Brockway Road
8.4 mi · 12 min · Brockway Road
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5
Continue on North Main Street
1.3 km · 1 min · North Main Street
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6
Turn straight onto South Brockway Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Brockway Road
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7
Continue on Wilkes Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Wilkes Road
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8
Turn straight onto Emmett Road
7 mi · 10 min · Emmett Road
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9
Continue on Kinney Road
2930 ft · 49 sec · Kinney Road
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10
Continue on Main Street
2651 ft · 45 sec · Main Street
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11
Continue on Kinney Road
4.3 mi · 6 min · Kinney Road
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12
Continue on Burnell Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Burnell Road
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13
Continue on Memphis Ridge Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Memphis Ridge Road
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14
Continue on Main Street
1 km · 1 min · Main Street
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15
Continue on Memphis Ridge Road
4.4 mi · 6 min · Memphis Ridge Road
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16
Continue on North Main Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
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17
Turn right onto Gratiot Avenue
5.9 mi · 9 min · Gratiot Avenue
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18
Turn left onto Main Street
1995 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
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19
Continue on New Haven Road
1 mi · 2 min · New Haven Road
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20
Take the ramp right toward I 94 West: Detroit
1655 ft · 40 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Ford Freeway
15.4 mi · 16 min · Ford Freeway
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22
Continue on Edsel Ford Freeway
15 mi · 19 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Toledo, Flint
1.5 km · 2 min
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24
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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27
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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28
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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29
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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30
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watertown 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.
Ford Freeway
Merge slight left onto Ford Freeway
15.4 mi · 00h 16m
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 Watertown and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Watertown to Detroit?
The road trip is about 83 miles (133.6 km) and usually takes 01h 36m 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?
Richmond is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41 miles from Watertown and 42.1 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 70.6 miles (113.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.4 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 3:16 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.05 one way or $22.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Watertown and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Richmond
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Marine City City Hall
Richmond City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Richmond.
Port Huron
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Watertown and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 70.63 mi (113.67 km).
#1 Watertown
Township in Sanilac County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 2,060 |
| Coordinates | 43.3411300, -82.8282700 |
| Altitude | 233 |
| 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: 134 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $11.05 | $22.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $12.46 | $24.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $13.64 | $27.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $15.54 | $31.08 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.