Origin
Lake Orion, MI
Late night in Lake Orion on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lake Orion, MI to Detroit, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
48m
Distance
38.3 mi
62 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 52m
5 PM
0h 57m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lake Orion, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Detroit, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Lake Orion to Detroit is 38.3 miles and takes about 48 minutes via I-75, with a fuel budget near $6 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, highway-focused drive connecting two points within Michigan's Midwest region. With a relatively short duration, it's ideal for a single-day trip. You'll mostly stick to major roads, making it a practical choice if you're looking for a quick and efficient journey without much fuss. Consider this route for its simplicity and directness.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 27.6 mi | 30m |
| North Lapeer Road | 7 mi | 11m |
| North Opdyke Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Congress Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Broadway Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Woodward Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 27.6 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Orion, MI and Detroit, MI.
1
Start on South Broadway Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
South Broadway Street
2
Turn left onto M 24
7.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Lapeer Road
Use the right lane.
3
Turn slight left onto North Opdyke Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Opdyke Road
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
4
Turn sharp left onto University Drive
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
University Drive
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 75 South: Detroit
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 75
28 mi
·
30 min
·
I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 375
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Jefferson Avenue East
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
133 ft
·
8 sec
·
Chrysler Drive
10
Turn right onto East Congress Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Congress Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
449 ft
·
19 sec
·
Woodward Avenue
12
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
126 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cadillac Square
13
Arrive at destination
Cadillac Square
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.1 miles from Lake Orion, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 37.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.6 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
University Drive
Turn sharp left onto University Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
8.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Detroit
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 South: Detroit
6
36.7 mi into trip
|
~45m 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
37.4 mi into trip
|
~46m 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
6
37.7 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
East Congress Street
Turn right onto East Congress Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.99 one way
$11.98 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.57 | $13.15 |
| premium | $4.89 | $7.37 | $14.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.46 | $16.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.5 | 0 | $4.02 | $1.84 |
| Efficient EV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.35 | $1.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.3 | 0 | $5.36 | $2.45 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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.
Destination
Detroit, MI
Late night in Detroit on Tuesday
Local time
5:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
48m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway experience, with 74% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-75. You'll encounter an uninterrupted stretch of 27.6 miles on I-75, offering a consistent pace. Expect a modern, well-maintained highway environment for the majority of your trip. The transition from North Lapeer Road and North Opdyke Road into the interstate system is smooth, keeping the focus on efficient travel rather than varied road types.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 27.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and North Lapeer Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.6 miles in near University Drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 10 decision points packed into just 38.3 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 48m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (University Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 36.7 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Detroit, MI
Full guide →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.
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 48m. Total distance: 38.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 27.6 miles on I 75. 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 Detroit, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 8.6 miles (University Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 36.7 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): 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 Detroit, MI before heading back.
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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