Origin
Carleton, MI
Afternoon in Carleton on Friday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carleton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
44m
Distance
33.4 mi
54 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 52m
10 AM
0h 47m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carleton, MI
TBD Tuyên
Ann Arbor, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 33.4-mile drive from Carleton to Ann Arbor in Michigan is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 44 minutes. With a modest estimated fuel cost of $5, this route is perfectly suited for a day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You'll spend about 75% of your time on highways, making it an efficient way to travel between these two Midwest locations. The route is primarily composed of expressway driving, offering a predictable and relatively quick transit.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 44m. Total distance: 33.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 44-minute trip. With 75% of the drive on highways like the Detroit Industrial Expressway and I-275, you'll encounter consistent speeds and straightforward navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 16.7 miles on the Detroit Industrial Expressway, so you can settle in for a decent segment of consistent driving. While the bulk is highway, the route concludes on South State Street, offering a slight shift in environment as you approach Ann Arbor.
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.
Detroit Industrial Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 16.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Detroit Industrial Expressway and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 12 decision points packed into just 33.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 44m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
12.2 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 94: Detroit, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 17
Toward I 94: Detroit, Chicago
6
12.4 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
8
12.9 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
6
13.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
7
30.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Take the exit toward State Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 177
Toward State Street
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 Carleton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
12.2 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Industrial Expressway | 16.7 mi | 17m |
| I 275 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| South State Street | 2.7 mi | 6m |
| Grafton Road | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| Monroe Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Will Carleton Drive | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Will Carleton Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Detroit Industrial Expressway
— 16.7 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carleton, MI and Ann Arbor, MI.
1
Start on Monroe Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Monroe Street
2
Turn left onto Grafton Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Grafton Road
3
At end of road, turn right onto Will Carleton Road
287 ft
·
4 sec
·
Will Carleton Road
4
Continue on Will Carleton Drive
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Will Carleton Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 275 North: Flint
6
Merge onto I 275
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 275
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 17
Toward I 94: Detroit, Chicago
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
Use the right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward I 94 West: Ann Arbor, Chicago
11
Merge onto I 94
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Detroit Industrial Expressway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
14 mi
·
15 min
·
Detroit Industrial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 177
Toward State Street
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn right onto South State Street
2.7 mi
·
6 min
·
South State Street
Use the right lane.
15
Arrive at destination
South State Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.22 one way
$10.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.73 | $11.47 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.43 | $12.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.37 | $14.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10 | 0 | $3.51 | $1.60 |
| Efficient EV | 8.4 | 0 | $2.92 | $1.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.4 | 0 | $4.68 | $2.14 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Ann Arbor, MI
Afternoon in Ann Arbor on Friday
Local time
1:44 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
44m 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 Carleton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI covers 33.4 miles and takes about 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Detroit Industrial Expressway, I 275, South State Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 16.7 miles from Carleton, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.22 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 33.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 44m.
The main spots that need attention: at 12.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Carleton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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