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Trip from Detroit, MI to Lexington, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 37m

Distance

81.9 mi

132 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 30m ★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m

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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Downtown Detroit, MI, MI

Detroit, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Lexington, MI, MI

Lexington, MI

Guilherme Simão

Trip Overview

If you are looking for a quick getaway from Detroit, MI, to Lexington, MI, this 81.9-mile journey is a straightforward trek through the Midwest. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 37 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of just $12, it is a budget-friendly way to transition from the city to the coastal atmosphere of Lexington. Because the entire trip stays within Michigan, you won't face any complex regional shifts or time zone changes. It is a practical, no-nonsense route that is easy to manage without the need for an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

41 miles from Detroit, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ford Freeway 42.3 mi 45m
East Edsel Ford Freeway 15 mi 19m
Lakeshore Road 12 mi 13m
Kimball Drive 2.9 mi 3m
24th Avenue 2.5 mi 2m
Pine Grove Avenue 2 mi 3m
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 1.7 mi 2m
Main Street 0.6 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ford Freeway — 42.3 mi, about 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Lexington, 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 North Use 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

1.7 mi · 2 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec
Exit 53B Toward I 94: Ford Freeway, Chicago, Port Huron Use the slight right lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 94 East: Port Huron Use the slight right lane.
10

Merge onto I 94

15 mi · 19 min · East Edsel Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 94

42 mi · 45 min · Ford Freeway
12

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 1 min
Toward M 25: USA, Port Huron
13

Turn left onto I 69 BL; I 94 BL

2.0 mi · 3 min · Pine Grove Avenue
14

Continue on M 25

2.5 mi · 2 min · 24th Avenue
15

Continue on M 25

4.4 mi · 4 min · Lakeshore Road
16

Continue on M 25

2.9 mi · 3 min · Kimball Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Continue on M 25

7.6 mi · 8 min · Lakeshore Road
18

Continue on M 25

0.6 mi · 38 sec · Main Street
19

Arrive at destination

M 25

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short 1-hour and 37-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily avoid peak traffic congestion by timing your exit from Detroit to steer clear of typical rush hours. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 81.9-mile route, you have the freedom to drive straight through or pull over whenever you feel the need for a break. Make sure to factor in your $12 fuel budget before you head out, as you likely won't need to refuel mid-trip. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival in Lexington exactly when you want to start your day.

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 41 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.3 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 18 miles or 25m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 41 miles or 50m 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 23m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lexington, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Detroit, MI

This is one driving day of about 81.9 miles and 1h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Detroit, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ford Freeway for about 42.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Saint Clair County, Michigan, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marysville, MI

41 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

Roseville, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Clair, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

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

Top Coffee Stop

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

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

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 11.7

Grosse Pointe, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+13134998885

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

The Electric Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 64.4

Port Huron, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

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

Escape Room Zone - Chesterfield

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 29.3

Chesterfield, Michigan

Hours: 5–10 pm

+15869484444

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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 3 — 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
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
8
2.6 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 94: Ford Freeway, Chicago, Port Huron

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 53B Toward I 94: Ford Freeway, Chicago, Port Huron
7
3 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 East: Port Huron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 94 East: Port Huron

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.80 one way

$25.61 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $14.06 $28.12
premium $4.89 $15.76 $31.52
diesel $5.61 $18.08 $36.16

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.6 0 $8.60 $3.93
Efficient EV 20.5 0 $7.17 $3.28
EV Truck/SUV 32.8 0 $11.47 $5.24

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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 15, 2026

Origin

Detroit, MI

Late night in Detroit on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lexington, MI

Late night in Lexington on Sunday

Local time

3:30 AM

EDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

45°F

Marysville, MI

41 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

6 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

1h 37m 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?

This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 72% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will start by navigating the Ford Freeway and the East Edsel Ford Freeway, which account for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.3 miles. As you transition onto Lakeshore Road, the character of the drive shifts from the heavy traffic of the city to a more localized flow. The contrast between the initial fast-paced highway segments and the final stretch helps you settle into the rhythm of the road as you approach your destination. It is a functional route designed to get you from point A to point B efficiently.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 42.3 mi on Ford Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Ford Freeway and East Edsel Ford Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cadillac Square.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.7 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.

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 Lexington, MI, road signs point toward M 25: Usa and Port Huron.

M 25: Usa

60.7 mi in | ~1h 11m

Port Huron

60.7 mi in | ~1h 11m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 81.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 42.3 miles on Ford Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Lexington, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Cadillac Square): Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lexington, 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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