Detroit to Beaverton is 153.7 miles and takes about 2 hours 50 minutes via Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I-75, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, traversing Michigan for its entirety. It's a straightforward drive, primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway. If you're looking for a simple, efficient route with minimal complexity, this one fits the bill.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
76.9 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
60 mi
1h 5m
I 75
51.3 mi
54m
US 10
30.6 mi
30m
M-18
9.9 mi
14m
Ross Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Monroe Street
0.4 mi
1m
Randolph Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Cadillac Square
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
— 60 mi, about 1h 5m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 110 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,836 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,103
Quietest
2 AM
~229 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Beaverton, MI.
1
Start on Cadillac Square
0.1 mi·28 sec·Cadillac Square
2
Continue on Cadillac Square
97 ft·3 sec·Cadillac Square
Toward M 3 NorthUse the left lane.
3
Turn slight left onto M 3
0.2 mi·38 sec·Randolph Street
4
Turn right onto Monroe Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Monroe Street
Use the right lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
34 ft·1 sec·Chrysler Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·20 sec
7
Merge onto I 375
60 mi·1 hr 5 min·Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Toward I 75 North: FlintUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
51 mi·54 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 162BToward US 10 West: Midland
10
Continue on US 10
11 mi·11 min·US 10
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
19 mi·19 min·US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward M 18: Beaverton, Gladwin
13
Keep slight left at fork
277 ft·8 sec
14
Turn right onto M 18
9.9 mi·14 min·M-18
15
Continue on M 18
0.5 mi·57 sec·Ross Street
16
Turn right onto East Brown Street
160 ft·7 sec·East Brown Street
17
Arrive at destination
East Brown Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 50 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. With just one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you'll take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $24; it's always wise to top off before leaving Detroit. The majority of this route is highway, so be aware of potential traffic merging as you transition between different highway segments.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 76.9 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 34 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.9 miles or 1h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Beaverton, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Detroit, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Detroit, MI
This is one driving day of about 153.7 miles and 2h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Detroit, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for about 60 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 60.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Cadillac Square
Continue onto Cadillac Square toward M 3 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward M 3 North
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|Monroe Street
Turn right onto Monroe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.7 mi into trip|~2m in|Chrysler Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge onto I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway toward I 75 North: Flint
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Flint
5
60.9 mi into trip|~1h 7m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75: Saginaw
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.71 one way
$55.42 round trip
$4.58/gal25.4 MPG avg54 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.21
$31.55
$63.10
premium
$5.82
$35.20
$70.40
diesel
$6.48
$39.19
$78.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.8 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.1
0
$16.14
$7.38
Efficient EV
38.4
0
$13.45
$6.15
EV Truck/SUV
61.5
0
$21.52
$9.84
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Detroit, MI
Morning
in Detroit on Saturday
Local time
10:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Light Rain Likely
WNW 13 to 16 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:54AM EDT until October 16 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Beaverton, MI
Morning
in Beaverton on Saturday
Local time
10:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Chance Rain Showers
NW 10 to 15 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 16 at 4:54AM EDT until October 16 at 11:00PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
45°F
Atlas, MI
77 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 50m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 92% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 60 miles along the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. Expect to transition from the freeway to US-10, which will eventually lead you toward Beaverton. The high percentage of highway driving suggests a generally fast-paced experience with fewer surface street interruptions until you approach your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60 mi on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I 75. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cadillac Square.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 153.7 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cadillac Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Monroe Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,049 ft589 ft
Total Climb
602 ft
Total Descent
479 ft
Highest Point
1,049 ft
~43.9 mi in
Elevation Range
460 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Detroit, MI and Beaverton, MI, road signs point toward M 18: Beaverton and Gladwin.
Detroit is a major metropolis in the US state of Michigan that has had a profound impact on the world. From the advent of the automotive assembly line to the Motown sound, modern techno and rock music, Detroit continues to shape both American and global culture. The city has seen many of its historic buildings renovated, and is bustling with new developments and attractions that complement its world-class museums and theatres. After a long economic slump and decrease in population, Detroit has developed a reputation for crime and urban decline, but revitalization means that it is an exciting destination filled with technological advance and historic charm.
Top landmarks
•Detroit Institute of Arts — art museum in Detroit, Michigan
•Michigan Central Station — historic former railroad station in Detroit, Michigan
•Fisher Building — skyscraper in Detroit, Michigan, United States, including the Fisher Theater
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 153.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60 miles on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Beaverton, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cadillac Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Monroe Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Beaverton, MI before heading back.
