Origin
Detroit, MI
Evening in Detroit on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Detroit, MI to Auburn Hills, MI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
39m
Distance
32.5 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 36m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 46m
10 AM
0h 42m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 42m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
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
If you are heading from Detroit to Auburn Hills, you are looking at a straightforward 32.5-mile journey that typically takes about 39 minutes. This route is entirely contained within the Midwest, making it a quick and efficient trip that is easily manageable in a single day. With a fuel cost of just $5, it is an economical drive for commuters or visitors alike. Since the entire trip takes less than an hour, there is no need to plan for overnight stays or complex logistics. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Michigan locations.
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
16.3 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 95% of your travel time will be spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, which accounts for a 30.3-mile uninterrupted stretch of your journey. The drive maintains a steady, fast-paced rhythm as you transition from the city into the suburban landscape. Once you exit the freeway, you will navigate via I-75 BL and Monroe Street to reach your final destination. It is a utilitarian drive designed for speed rather than scenic exploration.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 30.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I 75 BL. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cadillac Square.
Route Complexity
7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 32.5 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 0.1 miles (Cadillac Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Monroe Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Cadillac Square
Continue onto Cadillac Square toward M 3 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward M 3 North
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Monroe Street
Turn right onto Monroe Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Chrysler Drive
At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge onto I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway toward I 75 North: Flint
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 75 North: Flint
7
31.2 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward M 24: Lapeer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 81
Toward M 24: Lapeer
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 30.3 mi | 33m |
| I 75 BL | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Monroe Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Shimmons Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Randolph Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cadillac Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chrysler Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
— 30.3 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Auburn Hills, MI.
1
Start on Cadillac Square
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
Cadillac Square
2
Continue on Cadillac Square
97 ft
·
3 sec
·
Cadillac Square
Toward M 3 North
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight left onto M 3
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Randolph Street
4
Turn right onto Monroe Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Monroe Street
Use the right lane.
5
At end of road, turn left onto Chrysler Drive
34 ft
·
1 sec
·
Chrysler Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
7
Merge onto I 375
30 mi
·
33 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 81
Toward M 24: Lapeer
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 75 BL
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 75 BL
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 75 BL
0.6 mi
·
57 sec
·
I 75 BL
Toward I 75 Business South: Pontiac
11
Turn left
88 ft
·
3 sec
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left
154 ft
·
7 sec
13
Continue on Shimmons Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Shimmons Road
14
Arrive at destination
Shimmons Road
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 39-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the route is short enough to drive straight through without a break. Keep an eye on traffic patterns along the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, as this is the primary artery for your entire trip. Since the total fuel cost is estimated at $5, you can easily budget for this quick transit without worrying about refueling mid-trip. Use the simplicity of this short distance to your advantage by planning your arrival to perfectly match your schedule.
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 16.3 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.3 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 32.5 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.3 miles or 19m 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 Auburn Hills, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Detroit, MI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Detroit, MI
This is one driving day of about 32.5 miles and 39m.
At 32.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for about 30.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.3 mi from Detroit, MI · 19m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 32.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 16.3 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Auburn Hills, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Auburn Hills, 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
$5.08 one way
$10.16 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
11 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.58 | $11.16 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.25 | $12.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.18 | $14.35 |
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: 11.4 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 | 9.8 | 0 | $3.41 | $1.56 |
| Efficient EV | 8.1 | 0 | $2.84 | $1.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
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
Auburn Hills, MI
Evening in Auburn Hills on Wednesday
Local time
7:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°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 cooler 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 Detroit, MI to Auburn Hills, MI covers 32.5 miles and takes about 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, I 75 BL, Monroe 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 16.3 miles from Detroit, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.08 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 11 decision points packed into just 32.5 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 0.1 miles (Cadillac Square): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (Monroe Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Detroit, MI to Auburn Hills, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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