Origin
Detroit, MI
Late night in Detroit on Friday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Detroit, MI to Clarkston, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
49m
Distance
42 mi
68 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 45m
★
6 AM
0h 49m
8 AM
0h 57m
10 AM
0h 52m
12 PM
0h 51m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 57m
8 PM
0h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarkston, MI
Clara Alave
Trip Overview
This straightforward 42-mile drive from Detroit to Clarkston, Michigan, is easily accomplished in under an hour, making it a perfect day trip. You'll be spending about 49 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and North Main Street. With a highway share of 95%, this route is designed for efficiency, not lingering roadside attractions. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $7, so you won't need to worry about breaking the bank on gas. Since there are no recommended stops and the longest continuous stretch is nearly 40 miles, this journey is ideal for those who prefer a direct, no-fuss transit between two points within the Midwest region.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 49m. Total distance: 42 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highly focused highway experience on this trip, with 95% of the drive on highways. The Walter P. Chrysler Freeway will carry you for a significant portion, including a continuous stretch of 39.9 miles. This means you'll be in a driving environment geared towards steady progress, with minimal interruptions. You'll transition onto North Main Street and Monroe Street, offering a slight shift in scenery but maintaining a predominantly road-focused profile. The overall character is one of smooth, uninterrupted travel, ideal for covering distance quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 39.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and North Main Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near Chrysler Drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 42 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
8
40.8 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward M 15: Clarkston, Davison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 91
Toward M 15: Clarkston, Davison
6
41.2 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
M 15 / Ortonville Road
Turn left onto M 15 / Ortonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
42 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 39.9 mi | 43m |
| North Main Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Monroe Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Randolph Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Cadillac Square | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Ortonville Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Washington Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Chrysler Drive | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
— 39.9 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Clarkston, 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
40 mi
·
43 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 91
Toward M 15: Clarkston, Davison
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto M 15
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Ortonville Road
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on M 15
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
11
Turn left onto East Washington Street
84 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21 mi from Detroit, MI · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clarkston, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Clarkston, 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
$6.57 one way
$13.13 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $7.21 | $14.42 |
| premium | $4.89 | $8.08 | $16.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $9.27 | $18.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.41 | $2.02 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.68 | $1.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.88 | $2.69 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Clarkston, MI
Late night in Clarkston on Friday
Local time
3:51 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°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
14 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
49m 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 Clarkston, MI covers 42 miles and takes about 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, North Main Street, 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 21 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 $6.57 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 42 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.7 miles (Chrysler Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (I 375 / Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Detroit, MI to Clarkston, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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