Detroit Princess Riverboat
Near the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18773382628
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
172.8 mi
278 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fennville, MI
fish socks
Detroit, MI
Wikimedia Commons
This 172.8-mile drive from Fennville, MI, to Detroit, MI, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on I-94 and M-14, with some local road sections contributing to the total journey. The estimated fuel cost for this Midwest to Midwest route is around $26. With only one recommended stop, this drive offers a straightforward path, making it a practical option for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently within Michigan.
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
86.4 miles from Fennville, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 66.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| M 14 | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| Lincoln Road | 13.4 mi | 16m |
| Jeffries Freeway (Express) | 10.6 mi | 11m |
| I 96 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| M 89 | 9 mi | 10m |
| 124th Avenue | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| West Michigan Avenue | 6.1 mi | 10m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fennville, MI and Detroit, MI.
Start on Sherman Street
Turn right onto M 89
Continue on M 89
Turn right onto M 40; M 89
Continue on M 40; M 89
Continue on M 40; M 89
Turn right onto M 40; M 89
Enter roundabout onto M 89
Continue on M 89
Continue on M 89
Continue on M 89
Continue on M 89
Continue on M 89
Continue on M 89; M 43
Continue on M 89; M 43
Continue on M 89; M 43
Continue on M 89; M 43
Continue on M 89; M 43
Turn right onto M 89
Turn left onto M 89
Continue on M 89
Continue on M 89
Continue on M 89
Turn right onto M 89
Turn left onto West Hamblin Avenue
Continue on I 94 BL
Turn right onto I 94 BL
Turn right onto I 94 BL
Continue on I 94 BL; M 96
Merge onto I 94 BL; M 96
Turn sharp left onto I 94 BL; M 311
Take the exit
Merge onto I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
Keep right at fork onto M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
Continue on I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 75
Take the exit
Continue on Fisher Drive West
Turn right onto M 5
Turn right onto Griswold Street
Turn left onto Michigan Avenue
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
Continue on Woodward Avenue
Continue on Woodward Avenue
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour and 24-minute duration, starting your journey from Fennville in the morning allows ample time to reach Detroit without feeling rushed. The $26 fuel cost is modest, but it’s always wise to ensure you have a full tank before departing, especially considering the longest stretch is 66.8 miles on I-94. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically along I-94 to break up the drive. Pay close attention to the transitions between the main highways like I-94 and M-14, and the local roads like Lincoln Road, as these are where you'll need to be most aware of your navigation.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 38 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.4 miles or 1h 47m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fennville, 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 Fennville, MI
This is one driving day of about 172.8 miles and 3h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 86.4 miles from Fennville, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Detroit, Michigan
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18773382628
Cafe Sous Terre
Detroit, Michigan
BIGGBY COFFEE
Battle Creek, Michigan
Top Coffee Stop
Detroit, Michigan
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm
+13137824291
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Mezzo Coffee House & Bakery
Otsego, Michigan
Near the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18773382628
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+13132282880
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Battle Creek, Michigan
Hours: 4:30 am–9 pm
+12692820451
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Plainwell, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12698952090
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Jackson, Michigan
Hours: 5 am–7 pm
+15177809558
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Jackson, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–7 pm
+15173154061
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Dexter, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+17342532344
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Jackson, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+15179900800
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm
+13137824291
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+13133383515
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Otsego, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–1 pm
+12696941545
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+18888669091
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Plymouth, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17344046349
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Plymouth, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+17342598580
Near the end, right off the route
Plymouth, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+17344540178
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+13133649143
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm
+13137105156
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13135668250
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13135668200
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13135668200
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+13133960217
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the end, short detour
Windsor, Ontario
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15192531812
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Windsor, Ontario
Hours: 7 am–9:30 pm
+15192532300
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 61.2 and 171.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 94 East: Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express) toward I 96 Express: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Grand River Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$27.02 one way
$54.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $29.66 | $59.32 |
| premium | $4.89 | $33.25 | $66.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $38.15 | $76.30 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.8 | 0 | $18.14 | $8.29 |
| Efficient EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.12 | $6.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.19 | $11.06 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% 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
Evening in Fennville on Sunday
Local time
7:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
7:33 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
Expect a turn-heavy local drive with 51% of the route on highways. While there's a substantial 66.8-mile stretch on I-94, the overall character involves navigating through various road types, including M-14 and Lincoln Road. This means you'll experience a mix of faster-paced highway driving and more intricate local road sections as you make your way across Michigan. The road will feel like it's constantly changing, requiring your attention to different speed limits and turning maneuvers.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 61.2 miles in.
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 27 significant decision points across 172.8 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 61.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 135.3 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 159.6 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fennville, MI and Detroit, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Plymouth, M 14 East, M 14 East: Plymouth and Livonia.
M 14: Plymouth
M 14 East
M 14 East: Plymouth
Livonia
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 172.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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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