How far is Whitmore Lake, MI from Detroit, MI?

The driving distance from Whitmore Lake, MI to Detroit, MI is about 49.9 miles (80.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.5 miles (58.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m 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
49.88 mi
00h 48m
Flight
36.47 mi
58.7 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Whitmore Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.47 mi
Kilometers
58.7 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
49.88 mi
Kilometers
80.27 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit
Sat, May 2, 11:10 AM EDT
Return by in Whitmore Lake
Sat, May 2, 11:59 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Whitmore Lake
2026-05-02T10:21
Arrive Detroit
Sat, May 2, 11:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:52 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Whitmore Lake
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
Plymouth
MI

City in Wayne County, in the U.

From Whitmore Lake
24.6 mi
00h 24m
To Detroit
25.2 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph NW
Destination
53°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Whitmore Lake and Detroit.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Whitmore Lake and Detroit.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    7 m · 6 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Shore Drive

    39 m · 10 sec · East Shore Drive

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 9 Mile Road

    2767 ft · 1 min · 9 Mile Road

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 9 Mile Road

    36 m · 2 sec · 9 Mile Road

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto 9 Mile Road

    94 m · 5 sec · 9 Mile Road

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    55 m · 3 sec

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout

    18 m · 1 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1409 ft · 34 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    10.9 mi · 12 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    10.6 mi · 12 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward I 75 North, M 10: Flint, Downtown

    1932 ft · 47 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    1846 ft · 38 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right onto Fisher Freeway

    1.3 km · 1 min · Fisher Freeway

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward Grand River Avenue

    987 ft · 29 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on Fisher Drive West

    135 m · 17 sec · Fisher Drive West

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Grand River Avenue

    2731 ft · 2 min · Grand River Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Griswold Street

    834 ft · 30 sec · Griswold Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Michigan Avenue

    104 m · 16 sec · Michigan Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

    55 m · 7 sec · Woodward Avenue

  22. 22

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    38 m · 9 sec · Woodward Avenue

  23. 23

    Continue on Woodward Avenue

    70 m · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue

  24. 24

    Turn right onto Cadillac Square

    39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Whitmore Lake and Detroit.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
25 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
50.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
M 14 East
24.3 mi · 49%
9 Mile Road
11.8 mi · 24%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
10.6 mi · 21%
Fisher Freeway
0.8 mi · 2%
I 75 North
0.72 mi · 1%
Grand River Avenue
0.7 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

M 14 East

Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

15.1 mi · 00h 16m

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
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.4 mi
36.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Plymouth
00h 24m from Whitmore Lake
Leave By
4:52 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Whitmore Lake and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Whitmore Lake to Detroit?

The road trip is about 49.9 miles (80.3 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

Plymouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.6 miles from Whitmore Lake and 25.2 miles from Detroit.

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

The direct path is about 36.5 miles (58.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.4 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 4:52 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.64 one way or $13.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Whitmore Lake and Mostly Sunny near Detroit.

Stop Ideas Near Plymouth

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Plymouth, 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 Plymouth.

RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

20 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

23 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Ann Arbor station

24 mi away
325 Depot Street
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

30 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Whitmore Lake and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 36.47 mi (58.7 km).

Whitmore Lake

#1 Whitmore Lake

City in Michigan, United States of America

Population6,423
Coordinates42.4397000, -83.7453000
Altitude281
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: (-83.745292, 42.439707)
End: Cadillac Square (-83.04575, 42.331399)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 80 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 59m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 49m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.76 gal
6.66 L · about $6.64
Round trip
$13.27
3.52 gal · 13.32 L
Estimated CO2
15.6 kg one way
Round trip: 31.3 kg / 69 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.64 $13.27
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.49 $14.97
Premium $4.65 $8.19 $16.38
Diesel $5.30 $9.34 $18.67

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Whitmore Lake and Detroit. The current time is 10:21:42.

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.