How far is Wells, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Wells, MI to Detroit, MI is about 432.8 miles (696.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 311.1 miles (500.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 34m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Township in Crawford County, Michigan
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 Wells and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wells and Detroit.
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1
Start on Main Street
854 ft · 39 sec · Main Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto US-2/US-41/M-35
45.9 mi · 55 min · US-2/US-41/M-35
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3
Continue on West Lakeshore Drive
88.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min · West Lakeshore Drive
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4
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
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5
Continue on US-2 West
2455 ft · 46 sec · US-2 West
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
1819 ft · 44 sec
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7
Merge slight left
94.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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9
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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10
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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13
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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14
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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15
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wells and Detroit.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124 mi · 02h 07m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Wells and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wells to Detroit?
The road trip is about 432.8 miles (696.5 km) and usually takes 06h 34m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Frederic is a useful midpoint, sitting about 216 miles from Wells and 216.8 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 311.1 miles (500.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 121.7 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $57.58 one way or $115.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 135.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Wells and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Frederic
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 Frederic.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wells and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 311.05 mi (500.58 km).
#1 Wells
Township in Delta County, Michigan
| Population | 1,697 |
| Coordinates | 45.7771900, -87.0795800 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| 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: 697 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $57.58 | $115.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $64.94 | $129.89 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $71.07 | $142.13 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $80.99 | $161.98 |
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.