Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
42 mi
68 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Detroit, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Clarkston, MI
Clara Alave
This straightforward 42-mile drive from Detroit to Clarkston, Michigan, is easily accomplished in under an hour, making it a perfect day trip. You'll be spending about 49 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and North Main Street. With a highway share of 95%, this route is designed for efficiency, not lingering roadside attractions. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $7, so you won't need to worry about breaking the bank on gas. Since there are no recommended stops and the longest continuous stretch is nearly 40 miles, this journey is ideal for those who prefer a direct, no-fuss transit between two points within the Midwest region.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 39.9 mi | 43m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Monroe Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Randolph Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cadillac Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Ortonville Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chrysler Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Clarkston, MI.
Start on Cadillac Square
Continue on Cadillac Square
Turn slight left onto M 3
Turn right onto Monroe Street
At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 375
Take the exit
Turn left onto M 15
Continue on M 15
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 42 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway toward I 75 North: Flint
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward M 15: Clarkston, Davison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn left onto M 15 / Ortonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$6.57 one way
$13.13 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.21 | $14.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.08 | $16.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.27 | $18.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.41 | $2.02 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.68 | $1.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.88 | $2.69 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Widespread Fog
Destination
Late night in Clarkston on Sunday
Local time
3:46 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a highly focused highway experience on this trip, with 95% of the drive on highways. The Walter P. Chrysler Freeway will carry you for a significant portion, including a continuous stretch of 39.9 miles. This means you'll be in a driving environment geared towards steady progress, with minimal interruptions. You'll transition onto North Main Street and Monroe Street, offering a slight shift in scenery but maintaining a predominantly road-focused profile. The overall character is one of smooth, uninterrupted travel, ideal for covering distance quickly.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and North Main Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Chrysler Drive.
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 42 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 42 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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