Origin
Overisel, MI
Morning in Overisel on Sunday
Local time
6:10 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Overisel, 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
3h 22m
Distance
180.4 mi
290 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 10m
★
6 AM
3h 22m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 31m
12 PM
3h 28m
3 PM
3h 32m
5 PM
3h 45m
8 PM
3h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Overisel, MI
fish socks
Detroit, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 180.4-mile drive from Overisel, MI to Detroit, MI takes approximately 3 hours and 22 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on highways, with 96% of the route utilizing major roadways like I-96 and the John C. Lodge Freeway. With an estimated fuel cost of $27, this journey through the Midwest is efficient and straightforward. The drive is a highway-focused experience, offering a clear path to your destination without significant deviations. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B 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
90.2 miles from Overisel, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 116.9 mi | 2h 5m |
| Paul B. Henry Freeway | 18.4 mi | 19m |
| John C Lodge Freeway | 17.8 mi | 23m |
| Gerald R Ford Freeway | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| 48th Street | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| 96th Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| 142nd Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 116.9 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Overisel, MI and Detroit, MI.
1
Start on 142nd Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
142nd Avenue
2
Turn right onto 48th Street
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
48th Street
3
Continue on 96th Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
96th Avenue
4
Turn left onto Adams Street
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Adams Street
5
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 196 East
6
Merge onto I 196
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Gerald R Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 64
Toward M 6 East: Lansing
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on M 6
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Paul B. Henry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I-96 East: Lansing
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 96
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight 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
Given the 3-hour and 22-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in one day. Consider an early morning departure from Overisel to navigate potential traffic as you approach Detroit, especially on the John C. Lodge Freeway. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $27, planning is minimal. The longest stretch of 116.9 miles on I-96 means you can cover a lot of ground before needing to think about a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you enter the more urbanized areas around Detroit.
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 90.2 miles from Overisel, MI, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.9 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 40 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.2 miles or 1h 39m 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 41m
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 Overisel, 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 Overisel, MI
This is one driving day of about 180.4 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Overisel, 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 116.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.2 miles from Overisel, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.9 miles.
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 179.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway
Merge onto I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
16.2 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward M 6 East: Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 64
Toward M 6 East: Lansing
7
35.4 mi into trip
|
~40m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-96 East: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-96 East: Lansing
7
86.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
8
179.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 20m 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
$28.20 one way
$56.41 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $30.97 | $61.93 |
| premium | $4.89 | $34.72 | $69.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.83 | $79.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.94 | $8.66 |
| Efficient EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.79 | $7.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.2 | 0 | $25.26 | $11.55 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Detroit, MI
Morning in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
6:10 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
12 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
3h 22m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 180.4-mile trip, with 96% of the route on major freeways. The Paul B. Henry Freeway and John C. Lodge Freeway will guide you into Detroit. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 116.9 miles on I-96, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of the journey. This route is designed for efficiency, minimizing complexities and maximizing forward momentum on well-maintained highways.
96% 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: 116.9 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Paul B. Henry Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway.
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 180.4 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 4.9 miles (I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
981 ft
598 ft
Total Climb
348 ft
Total Descent
451 ft
Highest Point
981 ft
~128.8 mi in
Elevation Range
383 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Overisel, MI and Detroit, MI, road signs point toward M 6 East: Lansing and M 5 East: Port Huron.
M 6 East: Lansing
16.2 mi in
|
~19m
M 5 East: Port Huron
153 mi in
|
~2h 46m
|
via I 696
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 22m. Total distance: 180.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.9 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 4.9 miles (I 196 / Gerald R Ford Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Detroit, MI
More from Overisel, MI
More trips to Detroit, MI
Explore more options from Overisel, MI or browse trips ending in Detroit, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.