Detroit, MI to Benzonia, MI is 251.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m via Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and US 10, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest to Midwest drive is primarily highway-focused, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, so expect a consistent pace. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from Southeast Michigan to the northern part of the state without significant detours. Consider this a practical option when time is a factor and you want to reach your destination with minimal fuss.
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
125.8 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 50m. Total distance: 251.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This drive has a highway-focused profile, with 67% of the journey utilizing major roadways. You'll begin on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, experiencing a longest uninterrupted stretch of 60 miles. As you progress, you'll transition to US 10, maintaining a generally high-speed environment for much of the trip. Expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the 251.6 miles, characterized by efficient travel on well-maintained roads. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing directness over winding, scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 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 US 10. 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.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 251.6 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: 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 14 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 Benzonia, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
To M 115: Ludington
161.7 mi in|~2h 52m|via US 10
Cadillac
161.7 mi in|~2h 52m|via US 10
M 115: Cadillac
169.2 mi in|~3h
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
60 mi
1h 5m
US 10
56.9 mi
56m
Cadillac Drive
55.3 mi
1h 16m
I 75
51.3 mi
54m
Cadillac Highway
17.8 mi
20m
West M-115 Highway
5.8 mi
7m
Benzie Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Michigan Avenue
0.8 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 Benzonia, 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 NorthUse 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: FlintUse 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 162BToward 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
7.6 mi·7 min·US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward M 115: Cadillac
14
Turn right onto M 115
55 mi·1 hr 16 min·Cadillac Drive
15
Enter roundabout onto M 37; M 115
129 ft·1 sec·West M-115 Highway
16
Continue on M 37; M 115
0.5 mi·50 sec·West M-115 Highway
17
Continue on M 37; M 115
0.6 mi·1 min·East Mesick Avenue
18
Continue on M 115
5.3 mi·6 min·West M-115 Highway
19
Continue on M 115
18 mi·20 min·Cadillac Highway
20
Merge onto US 31; M 115
1.6 mi·2 min·Benzie Highway
21
Continue on US 31; M 115
0.8 mi·1 min·Michigan Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
US 31
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 50m estimated duration, departing from Detroit, MI in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. With only one stop recommended for this 251.6-mile journey, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto longer stretches like the 60 miles on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, as services can be more spaced out. Your estimated fuel cost is $39, so plan accordingly. This is a manageable one-day drive, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an early start and a brief stop in a town along US 10 to break up the drive.
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 125.8 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 2h 16m 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 55 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.8 miles or 2h 16m 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 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benzonia, 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 251.6 miles and 4h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 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 125.8 mi from Detroit, MI
· 2h 16m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacula...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$25
near mile 251.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.33 one way
$78.67 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$43.19
$86.38
premium
$4.89
$48.42
$96.84
diesel
$5.61
$55.55
$111.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.5
0
$26.42
$12.08
Efficient EV
62.9
0
$22.01
$10.06
EV Truck/SUV
100.6
1
$35.22
$16.10
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Detroit, MI
Night
in Detroit on Friday
Local time
11:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Benzonia, MI
Night
in Benzonia on Friday
Local time
11:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
2 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 50m 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 Benzonia, MI covers 251.6 miles and takes about 4h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, US 10, Cadillac Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 125.8 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 $39.33 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 251.6 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.
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 Benzonia, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
