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Trip from Ferry, MI to Detroit, MI

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

Drive Time

4h 17m

Distance

231.1 mi

372 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 4m ★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m

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 Ferry, MI, MI

Ferry, MI

Hanifi Sarıkaya

Downtown Detroit, MI, MI

Detroit, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 231.1-mile drive from Ferry to Detroit, Michigan, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes. The majority of your travel will be on interstates, specifically I 96 and the John C Lodge Freeway, with a brief section on US 31. Given its predominantly highway nature and manageable duration, this route is ideal for a day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stop. You can expect to spend around $36 on fuel for this trip, which spans across the Midwest region of Michigan. With only one recommended stop, it's designed for efficient travel.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

115.5 miles from Ferry, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 163.2 mi 2h 54m
US 31 29.9 mi 31m
John C Lodge Freeway 17.8 mi 23m
Walter P Reuther Freeway 8.9 mi 10m
East Hayes Road 6.2 mi 8m
West Stony Lake Road 2.3 mi 3m
South 132nd Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
West Larned Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 163.2 mi, about 2h 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ferry, MI and Detroit, MI.

1

Start on Main Street

0.2 mi · 23 sec · Main Street
2

Turn left onto South 132nd Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · South 132nd Avenue
3

Turn right onto M 20

6.2 mi · 8 min · East Hayes Road
4

Continue on M 20

2.3 mi · 3 min · West Stony Lake Road
5

Continue on M 20

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Garfield Road
6

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 57 sec
7

Merge onto US 31

24 mi · 24 min · US 31
8

Keep slight left at fork onto US 31

6.3 mi · 6 min · US 31
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Exit 110A Toward I 96: Grand Rapids, Lansing Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 96

96 mi · 1 hr 43 min · I 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

67 mi · 1 hr 11 min · I 96
Toward I 96 East: Detroit Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Continue on I 696

8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East: Port Huron Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto M 10

18 mi · 23 min · John C Lodge Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Exit 1B Toward Larned Street, Downtown Use the slight left lane.
15

Continue on West Larned Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · West Larned Street
16

Turn left onto Woodward Avenue

0.2 mi · 42 sec · Woodward Avenue
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto Cadillac Square

126 ft · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
18

Arrive at destination

Cadillac Square

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 4-hour and 17-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Ferry to bypass any potential midday traffic, especially as you near Detroit. The longest stretch without a break is over 163 miles on I 96, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, keeping the estimated $36 fuel cost in mind. While the drive is efficient, remember that 95% of it is on highways, so the single stop should be strategically chosen for convenience. Since this is a manageable day trip, you have the flexibility to depart at a time that suits you best, but always check local traffic conditions before heading out.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 115.5 miles from Ferry, MI, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.2 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 51 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 115.5 miles or 2h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ferry, 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 Ferry, MI

This is one driving day of about 231.1 miles and 4h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Ferry, 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 96 for about 163.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lansing, MI

116 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.

Popular next leg

Lansing, MI to Detroit, MI

90.5 mi · 1h 48m

Pacing Suggestions

Coopersville, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Carlton, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 115.5 miles from Ferry, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 163.2 miles.

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 end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 231.1

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 end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 231.1

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 end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18773382628

Visit website

Cafe Sous Terre

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+13132282880

Visit website

That Early Bird

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour $10 to $20 mile 82.5

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+16162588350

Visit website

Roasting Plant Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+13137824291

Visit website

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13133383515

Visit website

Madcap Coffee Company

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18888669091

Visit website

Schuil Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 82.5

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16169566815

Visit website

Anna’s Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13133649143

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13138161440

Visit website

Alba

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13134624797

Visit website

Built & Brewed In Detroit Coffee Bar (Inside Michigan First Credit Union)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 214.6

Lathrup Village, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Detroit Rolling Pub

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm

+13137105156

Visit website

Beacon Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13135668250

Visit website

Detroit Riverwalk

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13135668200

Visit website

Detroit Riverfront Conservancy

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13135668200

Visit website

William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+13133960217

Visit website

Grand Rapids Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 82.5

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+16164019441

Visit website

Ze Mound

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 231.1

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

Windsor Sculpture Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 231.1

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 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 40.2 and 230.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
40.2 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit toward I 96: Grand Rapids, Lansing

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

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 110A Toward I 96: Grand Rapids, Lansing
5
40.4 mi into trip | ~47m in | I 96

Merge onto I 96

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
136.8 mi into trip | ~2h 30m in | I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 East: Detroit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 96 East: Detroit
5
212.6 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in | M 10 / John C Lodge Freeway

Merge onto M 10 / John C Lodge Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
230.4 mi into trip | ~4h 15m in

Take the exit toward Larned Street, Downtown

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 1B Toward Larned Street, Downtown

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$36.13 one way

$72.26 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 81 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $39.67 $79.34
premium $4.89 $44.47 $88.95
diesel $5.61 $51.02 $102.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 80.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 69.3 0 $24.27 $11.09
Efficient EV 57.8 0 $20.22 $9.24
EV Truck/SUV 92.4 1 $32.35 $14.79

Gas CO2

81 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Ferry, MI

Late night in Ferry on Sunday

Local time

3:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Detroit, MI

Late night in Detroit on Sunday

Local time

3:29 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°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

10 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

4h 17m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive for 95% of this route. You'll be spending most of your time on well-maintained interstates, including a significant 163.2-mile stretch on I 96. This means consistent speeds and minimal slowdowns, making it a route built for covering ground. While it's primarily an interstate experience, the shift onto the John C Lodge Freeway as you approach Detroit will introduce a more urban highway feel. This is not a route for leisurely sightseeing but rather for reaching your destination with speed and ease.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163.2 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 31. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 40.2 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 231.1 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 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.4 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 96): 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.

Between Ferry, MI and Detroit, MI, road signs point toward Lansing and M 5 East: Port Huron.

Lansing

40.2 mi in | ~46m

M 5 East: Port Huron

203.7 mi in | ~3h 42m | via I 696

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 17m. Total distance: 231.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 163.2 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Detroit, 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 40.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.4 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 136.8 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Detroit, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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