This 96.4-mile drive from Detroit to New Haven, Michigan, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under two hours. With a projected fuel cost of around $15, it's an economical option for a day trip within the Midwest region. The route primarily utilizes highways, making it a quick and efficient journey. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways and interstates, so if you're looking for a relaxing drive with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill. Given its short duration, it's perfect for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.2 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
60 mi
1h 5m
Corunna Road
18.9 mi
26m
I 75
7.3 mi
7m
North State Road
6.7 mi
9m
Six Mile Creek Road
2.3 mi
5m
Monroe Street
0.4 mi
1m
Randolph Street
0.2 mi
<1m
North Seymour Road
0.1 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 New Haven, 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
7.3 mi·7 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Exit 118Toward M 21: OwossoUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto M 21
19 mi·26 min·Corunna Road
Use the left / right lanes.
11
Turn right onto North State Road
6.7 mi·9 min·North State Road
12
Turn left onto Six Mile Creek Road
2.3 mi·5 min·Six Mile Creek Road
13
Turn sharp right onto North Seymour Road
0.1 mi·32 sec·North Seymour Road
14
Arrive at destination
North Seymour Road
Trip Plan
For this 1 hour and 58-minute drive, departing early in the morning can help you avoid any potential traffic around Detroit. Since the total distance is only 96.4 miles and requires minimal stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15, but it's always wise to top up before heading out. A practical tip for this route is to ensure you have your preferred navigation system ready, as the transitions between Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, Corunna Road, and I-75 are key points to manage for a smooth arrival in New Haven.
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 48.2 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 54m 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 21 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.2 miles or 54m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Haven, 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 96.4 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 68.2 — 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
7
68.2 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward M 21: Owosso
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 118
Toward M 21: Owosso
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.07 one way
$30.14 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$16.55
$33.09
premium
$4.89
$18.55
$37.10
diesel
$5.61
$21.28
$42.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.9
0
$10.12
$4.63
Efficient EV
24.1
0
$8.44
$3.86
EV Truck/SUV
38.6
0
$13.50
$6.17
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Detroit, MI
Late night
in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Widespread Fog
NNE 3 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:51AM EDT until April 17 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:46AM EDT until April 17 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
Destination
New Haven, MI
Late night
in New Haven on Sunday
Local time
3:30 AM
EDT
Current temp
51°F
Widespread Fog
ENE 2 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:51AM EDT until April 17 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 2:46AM EDT until April 17 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
65°F
Ortonville, MI
48 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
1 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 58m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with approximately 70% of the journey taking place on major roads. You'll encounter stretches on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I-75, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is about 60 miles on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. While largely dominated by highway driving, you will transition onto Corunna Road, providing a slight shift in scenery and road type. Overall, the character is one of efficiency and steady progress, prioritizing speed over meandering backroads.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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 Corunna Road. You will hit about 12 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 96.4 miles you will encounter 12 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.
On the drive from Detroit, MI to New Haven, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 21: Owosso along the way.
M 21: Owosso
68.2 mi in|~1h 15m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 96.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). 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.
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 New Haven, 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 0.3 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 New Haven, MI before heading back.
