Detroit, MI to Westwood, MI is 143 miles and takes about 2h 42m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within the Midwest, making it a straightforward trip between two points in Michigan. Given its short duration and focus on major interstates, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a day trip where you want to maximize your time at your destination. Expect a predictable and efficient journey, largely on well-maintained highways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
71.5 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
89.9 mi
1h 36m
M 14
22.8 mi
24m
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
14.5 mi
15m
Jeffries Freeway
4.8 mi
5m
Amvets Memorial Highway
2.3 mi
2m
West Main Street
1.5 mi
2m
King Highway
1.3 mi
1m
East Kalamazoo Avenue
1.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Westwood, MI.
1
Start on Cadillac Square
313 ft·14 sec·Cadillac Square
2
Turn right onto Bates Street
247 ft·7 sec·Bates Street
3
Turn right onto East Congress Street
0.1 mi·38 sec·East Congress Street
4
Turn left onto Griswold Street
0.1 mi·25 sec·Griswold Street
5
Turn right onto M 10
0.3 mi·31 sec·West Jefferson Avenue
6
Continue on M 10
0.8 mi·1 min·John C Lodge Freeway
7
Take the exit
318 ft·7 sec
Exit 2AToward I 75: Toledo, FlintUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward I 75 South: ToledoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·43 sec
Toward I 96 West: LansingUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 96
4.8 mi·5 min·Jeffries Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
14 mi·15 min·Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on M 14
17 mi·18 min·M 14
13
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
5.4 mi·5 min·M 14
Exit 45Toward M 14: Ann ArborUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 94
90 mi·1 hr 36 min·I 94
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
15
Take the exit onto I 94 BS
0.5 mi·1 min·Business Spur I-94
Toward I 94 Business Spur: Downtown Kalamazoo
16
Continue on I 94 BS
2.3 mi·2 min·Amvets Memorial Highway
17
At end of road, turn left onto I 94 BS
1.3 mi·1 min·King Highway
18
Turn left onto East Michigan Avenue
0.1 mi·12 sec·East Michigan Avenue
19
Continue on East Kalamazoo Avenue
1.2 mi·2 min·East Kalamazoo Avenue
20
Continue on West Kalamazoo Avenue
0.1 mi·10 sec·West Kalamazoo Avenue
21
Continue on Douglas Avenue
306 ft·11 sec·Douglas Avenue
22
Turn straight onto West Main Street
1.5 mi·2 min·West Main Street
23
Turn right onto Old Nichols Road
371 ft·7 sec·Old Nichols Road
24
Turn right onto Nichols Road
0.4 mi·47 sec·Nichols Road
25
Turn left onto Croyden Avenue
195 ft·10 sec·Croyden Avenue
26
Continue on Croyden Avenue
0.2 mi·59 sec·Croyden Avenue
27
Turn left onto Cherokee Street
60 ft·2 sec·Cherokee Street
28
Arrive at destination
Cherokee Street
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 3 hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day, allowing for a flexible departure time. Aim to leave earlier in the day to avoid potential rush hour traffic in the Detroit area. Fuel costs are estimated at $22, so ensure your tank is full before you depart, as there's only one recommended stop. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 90 miles on I 94, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment for any necessary breaks or refreshments. Keep an eye on the Jeffries Freeway (Express) for potential traffic updates.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.5 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 31 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.5 miles or 1h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westwood, 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 143 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Detroit, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 89.9 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 39.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Toledo, Flint
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2A
Toward I 75: Toledo, Flint
7
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 South: Toledo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 South: Toledo
7
2.7 mi into trip|~5m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 96 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 West: Lansing
6
8 mi into trip|~11m in|I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
39.9 mi into trip|~46m in|M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.36 one way
$44.71 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$24.55
$49.09
premium
$4.89
$27.52
$55.04
diesel
$5.61
$31.57
$63.15
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
42.9
0
$15.01
$6.86
Efficient EV
35.8
0
$12.51
$5.72
EV Truck/SUV
57.2
0
$20.02
$9.15
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Afternoon
in Detroit on Tuesday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Westwood, MI
Afternoon
in Westwood on Tuesday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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
18 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 42m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 77% of the journey utilizing major interstates like I 94 and M 14. You'll experience stretches of fast-paced driving, including a significant 89.9-mile segment on I 94 without needing to exit. The Jeffries Freeway (Express) also contributes to the highway feel. While not designed for scenic detours, this profile ensures a consistent and direct path, minimizing stops and maximizing forward progress. The character remains predominantly that of efficient interstate travel.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and M 14. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 143 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Westwood, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 14: Ann Arbor along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 42m. Total distance: 143 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on I 94. 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 Westwood, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Westwood, MI before heading back.
