Davisburg Rest Area 908
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Trip from Kalkaska, MI to Detroit, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 14m
Distance
231.1 mi
372 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 2m
★
6 AM
4h 15m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 24m
12 PM
4h 21m
3 PM
4h 25m
5 PM
4h 40m
8 PM
4h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kalkaska, MI
fish socks
Detroit, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Kalkaska, MI to Detroit, MI is 231.1 miles and takes about 4h 14m via I-75, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest, specifically Michigan, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the same state. With 88% of the route on highways, expect a predominantly high-speed transit. Given the 4-hour drive time and single day recommendation, this route is ideal for a quick, no-fuss relocation or a direct journey to your destination.
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 Kalkaska, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 198.2 mi | 3h 27m |
| M-72 West | 23.3 mi | 31m |
| BL I 75 | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| South Cedar Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North James Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| M 72 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Congress Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 198.2 mi, about 3h 27m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 126 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,839 veh/hr typical · worst 3,897
Quietest
2 AM
~177 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kalkaska, MI and Detroit, MI.
1
Start on US 131; M 72; M 66
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cedar Street
2
Turn left onto M 72; M 66
23 mi
·
31 min
·
M-72 West
3
Continue on M 72; M 93
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
M 72; M 93
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto BL I 75; M 72
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North James Street
Use the right lane.
5
Take the exit onto BL I 75
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
BL I 75
Toward I 75 South
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi
·
2 hr 7 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 75; US 23
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
63 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 375
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Jefferson Avenue East
Use the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
133 ft
·
8 sec
·
Chrysler Drive
12
Turn right onto East Congress Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Congress Street
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
449 ft
·
19 sec
·
Woodward Avenue
14
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
126 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cadillac Square
15
Arrive at destination
Cadillac Square
Trip Plan
For this 4h 14m drive, leaving Kalkaska in the morning will give you ample time to reach Detroit before evening. The 231.1-mile distance is easily manageable in one day, so you can be flexible with your departure time. With only one recommended stop, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or closer to Detroit as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially since the estimated cost is $35 and the longest stretch on I-75 is nearly 200 miles; topping up before hitting that long stretch is a good idea.
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 Kalkaska, MI, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 198.2 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 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.5 miles or 2h 10m 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 27m
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 Kalkaska, 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 Kalkaska, MI
This is one driving day of about 231.1 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Kalkaska, 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 75 for about 198.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.5 miles from Kalkaska, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 198.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Clarkston Rest Area 904
0 mi from route
Alger Rest Area 625
0 mi from route
Dodge Road Rest Area 631
0.1 mi from route
Clio Rest Area 612
0.1 mi from route
Linwood Rest Area 626
0.1 mi from route
Nine Mile Hill Rest Area 434
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bay City Rest Area 605
0.2 mi from route
M-81 Express Stop
0.2 mi from route
West Branch Rest Area 433
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Grayling Rest Area 403
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 25.8 and 230.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
25.8 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street
Turn right onto BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
31.3 mi into trip
|
~44m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
6
166.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
229.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
|
I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
230.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward Jefferson Avenue East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Jefferson Avenue East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.13 one way
$68.26 round trip
$3.75/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.14 | $37.68 | $75.35 |
| premium | $4.72 | $42.91 | $85.82 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.64 | $87.27 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
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, 2026-07-13.
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.
Origin
Kalkaska, MI
Morning in Kalkaska on Monday
Local time
6:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Areas Of Smoke
NW 15 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:10PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:04PM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
Destination
Detroit, MI
Morning in Detroit on Monday
Local time
6:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 16 mph
52% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:10PM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 1:04PM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 14m 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?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 88% of the 231.1 miles on major roads like I-75. You'll experience a long stretch of 198.2 miles on I-75, which means consistent cruising for extended periods. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip, likely within the metro Detroit area, where you'll encounter more frequent exits and local traffic. Expect dense exits as you approach the city.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 198.2 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and M-72 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 25.8 miles in near BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street.
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 11 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 25.8 miles (BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,270 ft
598 ft
Total Climb
693 ft
Total Descent
1,128 ft
Highest Point
1,270 ft
~16.5 mi in
Elevation Range
672 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Kalkaska, MI
Full guide →Kalkaska is a village in Northern Michigan. The population was 2,020 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Kalkaska County.
Arriving in Detroit, MI
Full guide →“The D” · Founded 1701
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.
Top landmarks
- • Detroit Institute of Arts — art museum in Detroit, Michigan
- • Michigan Central Station — historic former railroad station in Detroit, Michigan
- • Fisher Building — skyscraper in Detroit, Michigan, United States, including the Fisher Theater
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 231.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 198.2 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 25.8 miles (BL I 75; M 72 / North James Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.4 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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