How far is West Branch, MI from Detroit, MI?

The driving distance from West Branch, MI to Detroit, MI is about 165.3 miles (266.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 147.1 miles (236.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
165.33 mi
02h 33m
Flight
147.16 mi
236.83 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from West Branch.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
147.16 mi
Kilometers
236.83 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
165.33 mi
Kilometers
266.08 km
Drive Time
02h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit
Tue, May 12, 11:51 PM EDT
Return by in West Branch
Wed, May 13, 2:24 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave West Branch
2026-05-12T21:18
Arrive Detroit
Tue, May 12, 11:51 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:33 AM to 12:33 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in West Branch
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Clio
MI

City in Michigan, United States

From West Branch
82.3 mi
01h 16m
To Detroit
83 mi
01h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
55°F
Tuesday

Widespread Frost then Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph S
Destination
61°F
Tuesday

Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 14 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between West Branch and Detroit.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West Branch and Detroit.

  1. 1

    Start on North 3rd Street

    16 m · 10 sec · North 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Houghton Avenue

    1 km · 58 sec · West Houghton Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Tawas Road

    128 m · 9 sec · Tawas Road

  4. 4

    Continue on South M-76

    1.5 km · 1 min · South M-76

  5. 5

    Continue on Business Loop I-75

    1.2 km · 1 min · Business Loop I-75

  6. 6

    Continue on Cook Road

    1.3 km · 1 min · Cook Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward I 75 South

    85.9 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    63 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    2456 ft · 38 sec · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Lafayette Avenue

    1093 ft · 27 sec

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto Macomb Street

    1196 ft · 40 sec · Macomb Street

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Beaubien Street

    636 ft · 23 sec · Beaubien Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Lafayette Street

    674 ft · 21 sec · East Lafayette Street

  15. 15

    Continue on Bates Street

    909 ft · 26 sec · Bates Street

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right onto East Congress Street

    99 m · 17 sec · East Congress Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between West Branch and Detroit.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
160 mi · 97%
South M-76
0.94 mi · 1%
Cook Road
0.79 mi
Business Loop I-75
0.77 mi
West Houghton Avenue
0.63 mi
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
0.47 mi
Longest Stretch

I 75 South

Take the ramp left toward I 75 South

85.9 mi · 01h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 33m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.2 mi
147.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clio
01h 16m from West Branch
Leave By
1:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Rain Showers leaving West Branch and Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from West Branch to Detroit?

The road trip is about 165.3 miles (266.1 km) and usually takes 02h 33m 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?

Clio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 82.3 miles from West Branch and 83 miles from Detroit.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 147.1 miles (236.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 1:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.98 one way or $43.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Rain Showers around West Branch and Patchy Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Detroit.

Stop Ideas Near Clio

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Clio, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Clio.

RAIL

Flint station

19 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Saginaw, MI

33 mi away
511 Johnson Street
RAIL

Durand Union Station

36 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Lapeer station

38 mi away
73 Howard St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between West Branch and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 147.16 mi (236.83 km).

West Branch

#1 West Branch

City Michigan

Population2,525
Coordinates44.2764100, -84.2386100
Altitude291
CountryUnited States
Detroit

#2 Detroit

The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.

Population665,369
Coordinates42.3314300, -83.0457500
Altitude183
CountryUnited States
Start: (-84.23865, 44.27638)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 266 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 08m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 18m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 03m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.83 gal
22.08 L · about $21.98
Round trip
$43.97
11.66 gal · 44.16 L
Estimated CO2
51.8 kg one way
Round trip: 103.6 kg / 228 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $21.98 $43.97
Mid-grade $4.25 $24.79 $49.59
Premium $4.65 $27.13 $54.27
Diesel $5.30 $30.92 $61.84

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between West Branch and Detroit. The current time is 21:18:01.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.