Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 6m
Distance
51.3 mi
83 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Detroit, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Bridgewater, MI
Aaron Burden
Detroit to Bridgewater is 51.3 miles and takes about 1 hour 6 minutes via Detroit Industrial Expressway, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Michigan, making it a straightforward drive. It's a short journey that won't eat up your whole day, perfect for a quick relocation or a visit to a nearby town. You'll likely find the drive efficient, connecting two points within the same general region without extensive travel time.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Industrial Expressway | 28.7 mi | 30m |
| West Michigan Avenue | 8.8 mi | 14m |
| Austin Road | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| Edsel Ford Freeway | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| John C Lodge Freeway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| West Jefferson Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Congress Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Griswold Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Bridgewater, MI.
Start on Cadillac Square
Turn right onto Bates Street
Turn right onto East Congress Street
Turn left onto Griswold Street
Turn right onto M 10
Continue on M 10
Take the exit
Merge onto I 94
Continue on I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
Take the exit
Merge onto US 12
Turn right onto Austin Road
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 25.6 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 36.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto Bates Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Griswold Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 94 West: Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 12 West: Saline
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$8.02 one way
$16.04 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $8.81 | $17.61 |
| premium | $4.89 | $9.87 | $19.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.33 | $22.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.4 | 0 | $5.39 | $2.46 |
| Efficient EV | 12.8 | 0 | $4.49 | $2.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.5 | 0 | $7.18 | $3.28 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Detroit on Saturday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Bridgewater on Saturday
Local time
4:55 PM
EDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
68°F
Denton, MI
26 mi in
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 70% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 28.7 miles on the Detroit Industrial Expressway, offering a consistent pace. The main roads guiding you include the Detroit Industrial Expressway, West Michigan Avenue, and Austin Road. Expect a relatively smooth and direct experience for most of the 51.3 miles, aligning with a highway-centric profile.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Detroit Industrial Expressway and West Michigan Avenue. 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 Bates Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 51.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (Bates Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Griswold Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 6m. Total distance: 51.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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