Origin
Detroit, MI
Morning in Detroit on Monday
Local time
8:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Detroit, MI to Auburn, MI
Drive Time
2h 11m
Distance
118.9 mi
191 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 2m
★
6 AM
2h 11m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 16m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 29m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
The drive from Detroit, MI to Auburn, MI covers 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 11m 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, I 75, US 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60 miles on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.06 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
59.5 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 2h 11m highway drive covering 118.9 miles, with most of the trip on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I 75. The longest continuous stretch is about 60 miles on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway.
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 60 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I 75. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cadillac Square.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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
5
60.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75: Saginaw
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 60 mi | 1h 5m |
| I 75 | 51.3 mi | 54m |
| US 10 | 6 mi | 6m |
| South Auburn Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Monroe Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Randolph Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cadillac Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| West Midland Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
— 60 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Auburn, 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
60 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
51 mi
·
54 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 162B
Toward US 10 West: Midland
10
Continue on US 10
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 10
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Nine Mile Road
12
Turn right onto South Auburn Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Auburn Street
13
Turn left onto West Midland Street
84 ft
·
1 sec
·
West Midland Street
14
Arrive at destination
West Midland Street
Trip Plan
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 59.5 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.5 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Auburn, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Detroit, 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 Detroit, MI
This is one driving day of about 118.9 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Detroit, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for about 60 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 59.5 mi from Detroit, MI · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.5 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Walter P. Chrysler Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 miles.
Arriving in Auburn, MI
The final approach into Auburn, 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 Auburn, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.06 one way
$36.12 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $19.91 | $39.82 |
| premium | $4.80 | $22.45 | $44.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $26.42 | $52.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.48 | $5.71 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.65 | $7.61 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Auburn, MI
Morning in Auburn on Monday
Local time
8:55 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°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
6 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
2h 11m 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, MI covers 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 11m 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, US 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 59.5 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 $18.06 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 straightforward 2h 11m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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