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Trip from Detroit, MI to New Haven, MI

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

1h 58m

Distance

96.4 mi

155 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min
4 AM
1h 50m ★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 6m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 54m

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

Downtown New Haven, MI, MI

New Haven, MI

James Mirakian

Trip Overview

This 96.4-mile drive from Detroit to New Haven, Michigan, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in under two hours. With a projected fuel cost of around $15, it's an economical option for a day trip within the Midwest region. The route primarily utilizes highways, making it a quick and efficient journey. You'll spend most of your time on major freeways and interstates, so if you're looking for a relaxing drive with minimal fuss, this route fits the bill. Given its short duration, it's perfect for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.2 miles from Detroit, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 58m. Total distance: 96.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with approximately 70% of the journey taking place on major roads. You'll encounter stretches on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I-75, offering a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is about 60 miles on the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. While largely dominated by highway driving, you will transition onto Corunna Road, providing a slight shift in scenery and road type. Overall, the character is one of efficiency and steady progress, prioritizing speed over meandering backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 Corunna Road. 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.

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 96.4 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
7
68.2 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in

Take the exit toward M 21: Owosso

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 118 Toward M 21: Owosso

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 New Haven, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 21: Owosso along the way.

M 21: Owosso

68.2 mi in | ~1h 15m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 60 mi 1h 5m
Corunna Road 18.9 mi 26m
I 75 7.3 mi 7m
North State Road 6.7 mi 9m
Six Mile Creek Road 2.3 mi 5m
Monroe Street 0.4 mi 1m
Randolph Street 0.2 mi <1m
North Seymour Road 0.1 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 New Haven, 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

7.3 mi · 7 min · I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 39 sec
Exit 118 Toward M 21: Owosso Use the slight right lane.
10

Turn right onto M 21

19 mi · 26 min · Corunna Road
Use the left / right lanes.
11

Turn right onto North State Road

6.7 mi · 9 min · North State Road
12

Turn left onto Six Mile Creek Road

2.3 mi · 5 min · Six Mile Creek Road
13

Turn sharp right onto North Seymour Road

0.1 mi · 32 sec · North Seymour Road
14

Arrive at destination

North Seymour Road

Trip Plan

For this 1 hour and 58-minute drive, departing early in the morning can help you avoid any potential traffic around Detroit. Since the total distance is only 96.4 miles and requires minimal stops, you have plenty of flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15, but it's always wise to top up before heading out. A practical tip for this route is to ensure you have your preferred navigation system ready, as the transitions between Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, Corunna Road, and I-75 are key points to manage for a smooth arrival in New Haven.

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 48.2 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 54m 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 21 miles or 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 48.2 miles or 54m 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 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near New Haven, 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 96.4 miles and 1h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Detroit, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 48.2 mi from Detroit, MI · 54m into the drive

Downtown Ortonville, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Ortonville, MI

48 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

Royal Oak, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waterford, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.2 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 Walter P. Chrysler Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60 miles.

Arriving in New Haven, MI

The final approach into New Haven, 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

$15.07 one way

$30.14 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.55 $33.09
premium $4.89 $18.55 $37.10
diesel $5.61 $21.28 $42.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 33.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 28.9 0 $10.12 $4.63
Efficient EV 24.1 0 $8.44 $3.86
EV Truck/SUV 38.6 0 $13.50 $6.17

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Detroit, MI

Late night in Detroit on Friday

Local time

3:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

New Haven, MI

Late night in New Haven on Friday

Local time

3:35 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Ortonville, MI

48 mi in

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

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

1h 58m 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 New Haven, MI covers 96.4 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, Corunna Road, 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 48.2 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 $15.07 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 96.4 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.

On the drive from Detroit, MI to New Haven, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 21: Owosso along the way.

Data sources

The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.

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