Drive Time
23m
Distance
17.1 mi
28 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Photo: Shan Nir
The drive from Clawson, MI to Detroit, MI covers 17.1 miles and takes about 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, East 14 Mile Road, East Congress Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 14.5 miles on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $2.60 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.6 miles from Clawson, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
This is a 23m highway drive covering 17.1 miles, with most of the trip on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and East 14 Mile Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 14.5 miles on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
111 ft
Total Descent
179 ft
Highest Point
666 ft
Elevation Range
79 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and East 14 Mile Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 14 Mile Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 17.1 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: near the start (East 14 Mile Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto East 14 Mile Road
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Detroit
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Jefferson Avenue East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto East Congress Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Clawson, MI to Detroit, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Jefferson Avenue East along the way.
Jefferson Avenue East
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 14.5 mi | 16m |
| East 14 Mile Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Congress Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Woodward Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chrysler Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Cadillac Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Clawson, MI and Detroit, MI.
Start on South Main Street
Turn right onto East 14 Mile Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 375
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
Turn right onto East Congress Street
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
Arrive at destination
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.
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 17.1 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.6 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Clawson, 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 Clawson, MI
This is one driving day of about 17.1 miles and 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.6 mi from Clawson, MI · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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.
A short stop after about 17.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 8.6 miles from Clawson, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Detroit, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Detroit, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.60 one way
$5.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.86 | $5.73 |
| premium | $4.80 | $3.23 | $6.46 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.80 | $7.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.1 | 0 | $1.80 | $0.82 |
| Efficient EV | 4.3 | 0 | $1.50 | $0.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.8 | 0 | $2.39 | $1.09 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Clawson on Sunday
Local time
7:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
7:18 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
47°F
Ann Arbor, MI
9 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Clawson, MI or browse trips ending in Detroit, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.
Explore maps for Clawson, MI or Detroit, MI on MapSof.net.
