Trip from Detroit, MI to Lakefield, MI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 26m

Distance

126.1 mi

203 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

2h 17m ★

6 AM

2h 27m

8 AM

2h 47m

10 AM

2h 34m

12 PM

2h 32m

3 PM

2h 35m

5 PM

2h 46m

8 PM

2h 21m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Detroit, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Lakefield, MI

Dave DiAngelo

Trip Overview

This straightforward 126.1-mile drive from Detroit, MI, to Lakefield, MI, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 26 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I-75, with a portion on Gratiot Road, making it a largely highway-focused journey. With an estimated fuel cost of around $20, this route offers an economical option for getting from the Midwest region to another part of the Midwest. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance without needing an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

63 miles from Detroit, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway	60 mi	1h 5m
I 75	37.8 mi	40m
Gratiot Road	15.5 mi	17m
South Merrill Road	4 mi	9m
Sheridan Avenue	1.9 mi	2m
East Holland Avenue	1.3 mi	1m
Gratiot Avenue	1.3 mi	1m
East Remington Street	1.1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Walter P. Chrysler Freeway — 60 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Lakefield, MI.

Start on Cadillac Square

0.1 mi · 28 sec · Cadillac Square

Continue on Cadillac Square

97 ft · 3 sec · Cadillac Square

Toward M 3 North Use the left lane.

Turn slight left onto M 3

0.2 mi · 38 sec · Randolph Street

Turn right onto Monroe Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Monroe Street

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive

34 ft · 1 sec · Chrysler Drive

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 20 sec

Merge onto I 375

60 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

38 mi · 40 min · I 75

Toward I 75: Saginaw

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 44 sec

Exit 149 Toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky

Enter roundabout onto M 46

13 ft · 0 sec · East Holland Avenue

Continue on M 46

0.2 mi · 15 sec · East Holland Avenue

Enter roundabout onto M 46

106 ft · 5 sec · East Holland Avenue

Continue on M 46

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Holland Avenue

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn slight right onto M 46

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Remington Street

Turn left onto M 46

1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheridan Avenue

Continue on M 46

0.4 mi · 34 sec · Williams Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue

1.3 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Avenue

Use the left lane.

Continue on M 46

11 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road

Continue on M 46

0.6 mi · 40 sec · East Saginaw Street

Continue on M 46

0.1 mi · 9 sec · North Saginaw Street

Continue on M 46

4.1 mi · 4 min · Gratiot Road

Continue on M 46

0.5 mi · 1 min · Saginaw Street

Turn left onto South Midland Street

0.4 mi · 54 sec · South Midland Street

Continue on South Merrill Road

4.0 mi · 9 min · South Merrill Road

Turn right onto Lakefield Road

60 ft · 2 sec · Lakefield Road

Arrive at destination

Lakefield Road

Trip Plan

Given the manageable 2-hour 26-minute duration, this trip is ideal for a spontaneous day excursion. Leaving Detroit in the morning allows you to reach Lakefield with plenty of daylight remaining. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the 60-mile mark on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway if you need to stretch your legs. With a fuel cost estimated at $20, it’s a budget-friendly drive, so you won’t need to worry too much about frequent fill-ups, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during longer freeway stretches.

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.

You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.

The halfway point lands around 63 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 1h 10m 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 28 miles or 32m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 63 miles or 1h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakefield, 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 126.1 miles and 2h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Detroit, MI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Fenton, MI

63 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Royal Oak, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Fenton, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 63 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Walter P. Chrysler Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Detroit Princess Riverboat

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Detroit, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18773382628

Visit website

Cafe Sous Terre

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Detroit, Michigan

1.8 mi

Cafe Immortelle

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Troy, Michigan

2.3 mi

Best coffee break

Roasting Plant Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Detroit, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+13137824291

Visit website

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Detroit, Michigan

0.2 mi

Madcap Coffee Company

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Detroit, Michigan

0.2 mi

Detroit Princess Riverboat

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18773382628

Visit website

Cafe Sous Terre

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+13132282880

Visit website

Cafe Immortelle

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Troy, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12482509858

Visit website

Roasting Plant Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+13137824291

Visit website

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13133383515

Visit website

Madcap Coffee Company

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18888669091

Visit website

Anna’s Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13133649143

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13138161440

Visit website

Alba

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13134624797

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Grand Blanc, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+18104984909

Visit website

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Royal Oak

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 4 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12483077161

Visit website

Detroit Rolling Pub

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm

+13137105156

Visit website

Beacon Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13135668250

Visit website

Detroit Riverwalk

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13135668200

Visit website

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13135668200

Visit website

William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+13133960217

Visit website

Troy Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Troy, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12485243570

Visit website

Ze Mound

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

Windsor Sculpture Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Windsor, Ontario

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15192531812

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 98.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

0.3 mi into trip | ~1m in | Monroe Street

Turn right onto Monroe Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

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.

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

98.7 mi into trip | ~1h 48m in

Take the exit toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 149 Toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.71 one way

$39.43 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$21.65	$43.29
premium	$4.89	$24.27	$48.53
diesel	$5.61	$27.84	$55.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 44.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	37.8	$13.24	$6.05
Efficient EV	31.5	$11.03	$5.04
EV Truck/SUV	50.4	$17.65	$8.07

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Detroit, MI

Morning in Detroit on Tuesday

Local time

8:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lakefield, MI

Morning in Lakefield on Tuesday

Local time

8:22 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

2 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 26m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 126.1-mile trip, with 78% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 60 miles on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, offering a consistent pace. While much of the route is on high-speed freeways like I-75, the inclusion of Gratiot Road suggests a potential shift to a more suburban or local road feel at certain points, though the overall character remains predominantly highway-driven.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

26 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?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I 75. You will hit about 14 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 Effort 5/10

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 126.1 miles you will encounter 14 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.

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 Lakefield, MI, road signs point toward M 46: Buena Vista and Sandusky.

M 46: Buena Vista

98.7 mi in | ~1h 48m

Sandusky

98.7 mi in | ~1h 48m

About the Cities

Starting in Detroit, MI

Full guide →

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.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 26m. Total distance: 126.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). 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, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lakefield, MI before heading back.

How this page is built

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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Explore more options from Detroit, MI or browse trips ending in Lakefield, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.

Trip from Detroit, MI to Lakefield, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Detroit Princess Riverboat

Roasting Plant Coffee

Detroit Princess Riverboat

Cafe Sous Terre

Cafe Immortelle

Roasting Plant Coffee

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit

Madcap Coffee Company

Anna’s Café

Haraz Coffee House

Alba

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Royal Oak

Detroit Rolling Pub

Beacon Park

Detroit Riverwalk

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor

Troy Historic Village

Ze Mound

Windsor Sculpture Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Detroit, MI

Lakefield, MI

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 26m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Detroit, MI

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Lakefield, MI

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