Origin
Auburn Hills, MI
Evening in Auburn Hills on Wednesday
Local time
7:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Auburn Hills, MI to Detroit, MI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
39m
Distance
32.2 mi
52 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 37m
★
6 AM
0h 40m
8 AM
0h 47m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 42m
3 PM
0h 43m
5 PM
0h 46m
8 PM
0h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Auburn Hills, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
Traveling from Auburn Hills to Detroit is a straightforward 32.2-mile journey that typically takes about 39 minutes. Because this is a short, highway-focused trip within the Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a single day of travel. You can expect to spend roughly $5 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly commute or quick getaway. Since the entire route stays within Michigan, you won't need to worry about changing time zones or crossing state lines. It is an efficient path that connects the northern suburbs directly into the heart of the city.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
16.1 miles from Auburn Hills, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is dominated by an 88% highway share, offering a consistent and fast-paced experience behind the wheel. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-75, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 27.6 miles. While you begin by navigating local connectors like North Opdyke Road and South Lapeer Road, the character of the drive quickly shifts once you merge onto the interstate. Expect a standard, high-speed transit experience that prioritizes efficiency over winding backroads or scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 27.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
979 ft
598 ft
Total Climb
86 ft
Total Descent
449 ft
Highest Point
979 ft
~1.3 mi in
Elevation Range
381 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and North Opdyke Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in near University Drive.
Route Complexity
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 32.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 39m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles (University Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30.6 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
University Drive
Turn sharp left onto University Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
2.7 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Detroit
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 South: Detroit
6
30.6 mi into trip
|
~36m 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
31.3 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
31.6 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
East Congress Street
Turn right onto East Congress Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 27.6 mi | 30m |
| North Opdyke Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Lapeer Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Congress Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Shimmons Road | 0.3 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 Auburn Hills, MI and Detroit, MI.
1
Start on Shimmons Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Shimmons Road
2
Continue
280 ft
·
16 sec
3
Turn right onto I 75 BL
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Lapeer Road
4
Continue on I 75 BL
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Lapeer Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight left onto North Opdyke Road
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Opdyke Road
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
6
Turn sharp left onto University Drive
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
University Drive
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward I 75 South: Detroit
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 75
28 mi
·
30 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
With a total duration under 40 minutes, you have maximum flexibility when planning your departure time. There is no need to schedule formal rest stops, as you can easily complete the entire 32.2-mile stretch in one go. Keep in mind that heavy traffic on I-75 can impact your travel time, so check local road reports before leaving. Since fuel costs are quite low at approximately $5, you can focus your budget on your destination rather than the tank. Make sure to account for the transition from local surface streets to the high-speed flow of the interstate early in your drive.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 16.1 miles from Auburn Hills, MI, or about 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.6 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 32 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.1 miles or 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Auburn Hills, MI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Auburn Hills, MI
This is one driving day of about 32.2 miles and 39m.
At 32.2 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 27.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.1 mi from Auburn Hills, MI · 20m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.1 miles from Auburn Hills, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Detroit, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Detroit, MI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.03 one way
$10.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.53 | $11.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.20 | $12.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.11 | $14.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.38 | $1.55 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.82 | $1.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 12.9 | 0 | $4.51 | $2.06 |
Gas CO2
11 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (64% 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
Evening in Detroit on Wednesday
Local time
7:18 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
3 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
39m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Auburn Hills, MI to Detroit, MI covers 32.2 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, North Opdyke Road, South Lapeer Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.1 miles from Auburn Hills, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.03 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 32.2 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 39m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.6 miles (University Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 30.6 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Auburn Hills, MI to Detroit, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 598 ft to 979 ft elevation with about 86 ft of total climbing.
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