Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
72.3 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
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
Swartz Creek, MI
Frank Krasznavolgyi
If you are planning a quick getaway from Detroit to Swartz Creek, you are looking at a straightforward 72.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 23 minutes. This route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you can easily head out and return without the need for an overnight stay. Your travel budget will be quite manageable, with an estimated fuel cost of only $11 for the entire drive. Since both cities are located within the Midwest region of Michigan, you will remain in familiar territory throughout the trip. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from the heart of the city to your destination with minimal fuss.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 60 mi | 1h 5m |
| I 75 | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| Chevrolet-Buick Freeway | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Miller Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Monroe Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Randolph Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cadillac Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chrysler Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Swartz Creek, 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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 69
Take the exit
Turn right onto Miller Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.2 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 70.5 — 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 I 69: Lansing, Port Huron
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Miller Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$11.30 one way
$22.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $12.41 | $24.82 |
| premium | $4.89 | $13.91 | $27.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.96 | $31.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.33 | $2.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.12 | $4.63 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
76°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Swartz Creek on Sunday
Local time
12:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
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 efficient, highway-focused experience as 94% of your travel takes place on major roads. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 60 miles. Following that, your path utilizes the I-75 and the Chevrolet-Buick Freeway to complete the connection. Because this route prioritizes speed and directness, you should anticipate a consistent, fast-paced drive rather than a winding or technical backroad excursion. Behind the wheel, the road feels functional and steady, designed specifically to move you between these two Michigan points as quickly as possible.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Chrysler Drive.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.3 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 0.7 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 65.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
422 ft
Total Descent
231 ft
Highest Point
1,020 ft
~41.3 mi in
Elevation Range
422 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Detroit, MI and Swartz Creek, MI, road signs point toward Port Huron and Flint.
Port Huron
Flint
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 72.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Detroit, MI or browse trips ending in Swartz Creek, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.
