Leland to Detroit is 273.9 miles and takes about 5h 30m via I 75, US 10, and West M-115 Highway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive covers a good portion of the Midwest, moving from northern Michigan to the major metropolitan area of Detroit. Given its mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward trip that's easily manageable in a single day. You'll transition from more rural landscapes to the denser environment of southeastern Michigan as you approach 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
137 miles from Leland, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
110.3 mi
1h 58m
US 10
57 mi
57m
West M-115 Highway
55.6 mi
1h 16m
County Road 633
10.9 mi
17m
North M-37 Highway
6.9 mi
9m
South Good Harbor Trail
6.5 mi
8m
North Manitou Trail
5.8 mi
8m
South Cedar Road
5.3 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 110.3 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 55 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,415 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,590
Quietest
2 AM
~219 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Leland, MI and Detroit, MI.
1
Start on River Street
80 ft·9 sec·River Street
2
Turn left onto M 22
0.3 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
3
Continue on M 22
280 ft·6 sec·South Main Street
4
Continue on M 22
5.8 mi·8 min·North Manitou Trail
5
Turn left onto CR 651
6.5 mi·8 min·South Good Harbor Trail
6
Continue on CR 651
0.4 mi·39 sec·Kasson Street
7
Continue on CR 651; CR 616
5.3 mi·8 min·South Cedar Road
8
Turn left onto M 72
1.0 mi·1 min·East Traverse Highway
9
Turn right onto Tilton Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Tilton Road
10
At end of road, turn left onto Cedar Run Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Cedar Run Road
11
Turn right onto Strait Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Strait Road
12
Turn left onto CR 610
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Long Lake Road
13
Continue on East Long Lake Road
2.1 mi·2 min·East Long Lake Road
14
Turn left onto Secor Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Secor Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto CR 633
3.7 mi·5 min·North West Silver Lake Road
16
Continue on CR 633
11 mi·17 min·County Road 633
17
Continue on North 13 Road
0.7 mi·1 min·North 13 Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto M 37
6.9 mi·9 min·North M-37 Highway
19
Enter roundabout onto M 115
210 ft·2 sec·West M-115 Highway
20
Continue on M 115
354 ft·5 sec·West M-115 Highway
21
Merge onto M 115
55 mi·1 hr 16 min·West M-115 Highway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward US 10 East: Clare
23
Merge onto US 10
11 mi·10 min·US 10
24
Take the exit onto US 10
46 mi·46 min·US 10
Toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 140AToward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
26
Merge onto I 75; US 23
36 mi·38 min·I 75; US 23
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 375
0.7 mi·1 min·Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Jefferson Avenue EastUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
133 ft·8 sec·Chrysler Drive
32
Turn right onto East Congress Street
0.5 mi·1 min·East Congress Street
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
449 ft·19 sec·Woodward Avenue
34
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
126 ft·4 sec·Cadillac Square
35
Arrive at destination
Cadillac Square
Trip Plan
For a 5.5-hour drive, leaving Leland in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Detroit before evening. The route has only one recommended stop, but you can easily take breaks as needed since it's a single-day trip. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is $42, it’s always wise to fill up before embarking on longer stretches, especially the 110.3-mile segment on I 75. Being a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time or add a brief stop if something catches your eye.
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 137 miles from Leland, MI, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.3 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 60 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
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 Leland, 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 Leland, MI
This is one driving day of about 273.9 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Leland, 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 110.3 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 161.6 and 273.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
161.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 140A
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
6
209.3 mi into trip|~4h 18m 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
272.3 mi into trip|~5h 26m 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
273.1 mi into trip|~5h 27m 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
273.3 mi into trip|~5h 28m in|East Congress Street
Turn right onto East Congress Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.45 one way
$80.90 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$44.65
$89.31
premium
$4.72
$50.85
$101.71
diesel
$4.80
$51.72
$103.43
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.2
1
$28.76
$13.15
Efficient EV
68.5
0
$23.97
$10.96
EV Truck/SUV
109.6
1
$38.35
$17.53
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Leland, MI
Morning
in Leland on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
SW 15 mph59% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:15AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 10:41PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Destination
Detroit, MI
Morning
in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Smoke
SW 9 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:15AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 17 at 10:41PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
83°F
Edenville, MI
137 mi in
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
5 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
5h 30m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacula...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily a highway drive, with 61% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 110.3 miles on I 75, offering uninterrupted cruising. Beyond that, the route transitions to US 10 and West M-115 Highway, which will feel more like surface roads with more frequent exits and potentially varied speed limits. Expect to notice the shift from open highway to more developed areas as you get closer to Detroit.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 161.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 273.9 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 161.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.3 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,417 ft597 ft
Total Climb
1,266 ft
Total Descent
1,265 ft
Highest Point
1,417 ft
~58.7 mi in
Elevation Range
820 ft
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 Leland, MI to Detroit, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bay City along the way.
Leland is a village in Leelanau County, Michigan (also known as the Leelanau Peninsula on the shore of Lake Michigan. Leland is the site of the oldest and largest Ottawa village on the Leelanau Peninsula named Mishi-me-go-bing, "the place where canoes run up into the river to land, because they have no harbor". European settlement began when the Antoine Manseau family came from North Manitou Island in 1853.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 273.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 17 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 17 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 161.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.3 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.3 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Detroit, MI before the return drive.
