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Trip from Detroit, MI to Baldwin, MI

Data updated 2 hours ago

Drive Time

4h 8m

Distance

218.7 mi

352 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
3h 55m ★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Baldwin, MI, MI

Baldwin, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

The drive from Detroit, MI to Baldwin, MI covers 218.7 miles and takes about 4h 8m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 10, Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, I 75 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106.1 miles on US 10. At current regular gas prices, budget about $34.19 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

109.3 miles from Detroit, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

This is a 4h 8m highway drive covering 218.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 10 and Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 106.1 miles on US 10.

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.
US 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 106.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 10 and Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Cadillac Square.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 218.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

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 12 key points

These 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Detroit, MI and Baldwin, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington and Cadillac.

To M 115: Ludington

161.7 mi in | ~2h 52m | via US 10

Cadillac

161.7 mi in | ~2h 52m | via US 10

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 10 106.1 mi 2h 4m
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 60 mi 1h 5m
I 75 51.3 mi 54m
Monroe Street 0.4 mi 1m
Randolph Street 0.2 mi <1m
East Washington 0.2 mi <1m
Cadillac Square 0.1 mi <1m
Courthouse Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: US 10 — 106.1 mi, about 2h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Baldwin, 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

11 mi · 11 min · US 10
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

38 mi · 38 min · US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
12

Take the exit onto US 10

57 mi · 1 hr 15 min · US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
13

Keep slight left at fork onto US 10

0.2 mi · 23 sec · East Washington
14

Turn right onto Courthouse Road

79 ft · 3 sec · Courthouse Road
15

Arrive at destination

Courthouse Road

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 109.3 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.1 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 109.3 miles or 1h 59m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baldwin, 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 218.7 miles and 4h 8m.

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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 10 for about 106.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 109.3 mi from Detroit, MI · 1h 59m into the drive

Downtown Ann Arbor, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ann Arbor, MI

109 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

Ann Arbor, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Skidway Lake, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 109.3 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.1 miles.

Arriving in Baldwin, MI

The final approach into Baldwin, 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 Baldwin, MI.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$34.19 one way

$68.38 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 77 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $37.54 $75.08
premium $4.89 $42.09 $84.17
diesel $5.61 $48.29 $96.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.6 0 $22.96 $10.50
Efficient EV 54.7 0 $19.14 $8.75
EV Truck/SUV 87.5 1 $30.62 $14.00

Gas CO2

77 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Detroit, MI

Night in Detroit on Tuesday

Local time

10:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Baldwin, MI

Night in Baldwin on Tuesday

Local time

10:43 PM

EDT

Current temp

70°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

22 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

4h 8m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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 Baldwin, MI covers 218.7 miles and takes about 4h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 10, Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, I 75. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 109.3 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 $34.19 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 218.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Between Detroit, MI and Baldwin, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington and Cadillac.

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