How far is Wilson, MI from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance from Wilson, MI to Detroit, MI is about 452.7 miles (728.5 km), with a travel time of about 06h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 319.2 miles (513.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 53m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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 56m.
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 Otsego 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 Wilson and Detroit.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wilson and Detroit.
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1
Start on Old US 2/41
46 m · 11 sec · Old US 2/41
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2
Turn left onto Vincent Lane
77 m · 19 sec · Vincent Lane
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3
Turn left onto US 2 & 41
16.4 mi · 21 min · US 2 & 41
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4
Continue on Ludington Street
1.5 mi · 2 min · Ludington Street
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5
Turn left onto North Lincoln Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · North Lincoln Road
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6
Continue on US-2/US-41/M-35
46 mi · 55 min · US-2/US-41/M-35
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7
Continue on West Lakeshore Drive
88.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min · West Lakeshore Drive
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8
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
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9
Continue on US-2 West
2455 ft · 46 sec · US-2 West
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
1819 ft · 44 sec
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11
Merge slight left
94.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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13
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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14
Keep slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 8 min
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
1185 ft · 29 sec
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17
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
41 m · 9 sec · Chrysler Drive
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18
Turn right onto East Congress Street
2674 ft · 2 min · East Congress Street
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19
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
137 m · 19 sec · Woodward Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
39 m · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cadillac Square
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wilson 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.
Clear leaving Wilson and Sunny near Detroit.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wilson to Detroit?
The road trip is about 452.7 miles (728.5 km) and usually takes 06h 56m 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?
Otsego Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 226 miles from Wilson and 226.7 miles from Detroit.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 319.2 miles (513.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 133.5 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 CDT. 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 $60.22 one way or $120.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 141.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Wilson and Detroit, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Clear around Wilson and Sunny near Detroit.
Stop Ideas Near Otsego Lake
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 Otsego Lake.
Boyne City, Michigan
Walloon Lake, Michigan
Petoskey, Michigan
Alanson, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wilson and Detroit. Straight-line distance: 319.23 mi (513.75 km).
#1 Wilson
Unincorporated community in Michigan
| Population | 1,973 |
| Coordinates | 45.7052400, -87.4381800 |
| Altitude | 242 |
| 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: 729 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $60.22 | $120.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $67.92 | $135.84 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $74.32 | $148.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $84.70 | $169.41 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.