Origin
Detroit, MI
Morning in Detroit on Friday
Local time
11:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Detroit, MI to Kingston, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 55m
Distance
88.9 mi
143 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 47m
★
6 AM
1h 56m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
2h 0m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kingston, MI
Tuấn Kiệt Jr.
Trip Overview
This 88.9-mile drive from Detroit, MI to Kingston, MI is a straightforward, one-day excursion taking about 1 hour and 55 minutes. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $14, making it an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The route is primarily local roads with some highway segments, suggesting a more connected-to-the-ground driving experience rather than a pure interstate cruise. Given its short duration and manageable distance, this trip is perfectly suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure and return times.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
44.5 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 58m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 55m. Total distance: 88.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for most of this 88.9-mile journey, with only 22% of the route on highways. You'll navigate through North Van Dyke Road and M 53, experiencing a more intimate connection with the landscape. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 25.3 miles on North Van Dyke Road, offering a brief period of consistent travel before you start making more frequent turns. This profile means you'll be actively engaged with steering and navigation, making the drive feel dynamic and less like a monotonous highway grind.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Van Dyke Road is the longest continuous segment at about 25.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 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
6/10
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 88.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 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
7
17.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Rochester Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward Rochester Road
6
17.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
Rochester Road
Turn right onto Rochester Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
25.4 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
M 53
Keep slight right at fork onto M 53 toward M 53 North: Imlay City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward M 53 North: Imlay City
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Detroit, MI to Kingston, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 53 North: Imlay City along the way.
M 53 North: Imlay City
25.4 mi in
|
~34m
|
via M 53
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Van Dyke Road | 25.3 mi | 33m |
| M 53 | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 16.4 mi | 18m |
| South Van Dyke Road | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Sanilac Road | 4.5 mi | 5m |
| Metropolitan Parkway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Van Dyke Avenue | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| East Big Beaver Road | 2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
North Van Dyke Road
— 25.3 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Kingston, 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
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Rochester Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Rochester Road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Rochester Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto East Big Beaver Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Big Beaver Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Metropolitan Parkway
12
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Metropolitan Parkway
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto M 53
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Van Dyke Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto M 53
24 mi
·
30 min
·
M 53
Toward M 53 North: Imlay City
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto M 53
5.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Van Dyke Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on M 53
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cedar Street
17
Continue on M 53
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cedar Street
18
Continue on M 53
20 mi
·
25 min
·
North Van Dyke Road
19
Continue on M 53
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Continue on M 53
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
South Van Dyke Road
21
Turn left onto M 46
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Sanilac Road
22
Continue on M 46
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
State Street
23
Turn right onto Washington Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Washington Street
24
Arrive at destination
Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this short 1 hour and 55-minute drive, flexibility is your greatest asset. You can easily depart Detroit at your leisure, but keep in mind the fuel cost is approximately $14, so ensure you have enough gas before you leave. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a quick break around the halfway point, perhaps after that 25.3-mile stretch on North Van Dyke Road. Pay close attention to local road signage, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route means you'll be making several turns. A good tip is to have your GPS or map readily accessible to avoid missing any of those crucial directional changes.
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 44.5 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.3 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 20 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.5 miles or 58m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingston, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Detroit, MI
This is one driving day of about 88.9 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Detroit, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on North Van Dyke Road for about 25.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.5 mi from Detroit, MI · 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 20 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.5 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Kingston, MI
The final approach into Kingston, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.90 one way
$27.80 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $15.26 | $30.52 |
| premium | $4.89 | $17.11 | $34.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.63 | $39.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.33 | $4.27 |
| Efficient EV | 22.2 | 0 | $7.78 | $3.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.6 | 0 | $12.45 | $5.69 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Kingston, MI
Morning in Kingston on Friday
Local time
11:39 AM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
11 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
1h 55m 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 Kingston, MI covers 88.9 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Van Dyke Road, M 53, Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.5 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 $13.90 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 88.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Detroit, MI to Kingston, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 53 North: Imlay City along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Kingston, MI
Explore more options from Detroit, MI or browse trips ending in Kingston, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.