Origin
Detroit, MI
Evening in Detroit on Sunday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Detroit, MI to Southfield, MI
Drive Time
22m
Distance
15.2 mi
25 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 24m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 24m
5 PM
0h 27m
8 PM
0h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southfield, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Detroit to Southfield, you are looking at a quick, 15.2-mile journey that typically takes about 22 minutes. Because this trip is entirely contained within the Midwest, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You won't need to worry about overnight logistics, and with a fuel budget of just $2, it is an extremely economical trek. This route serves as a practical connection between the two Michigan cities, relying on a straightforward highway-focused path. It is an ideal option for anyone needing a direct, no-fuss transit between these urban hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
7.6 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is defined by its efficiency, as 85% of your travel time will be spent on highways. You will spend the bulk of your time on the John C Lodge Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 13 miles. The road feels like a standard commuting corridor rather than a scenic tour, keeping you moving at highway speeds for the majority of the trip. Transitioning onto Southfield Road and West Jefferson Avenue rounds out the experience, moving you from the heart of the city toward your destination without unnecessary detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
John C Lodge Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 13 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on John C Lodge Freeway and Southfield Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Bates Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 22m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (M 10 / West Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Bates Street
Turn right onto Bates Street
Navigation decision point
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Griswold Street
Turn left onto Griswold Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
M 10 / West Jefferson Avenue
Turn right onto M 10 / West Jefferson Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
13.7 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward Southfield Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 14C
Toward Southfield Road
6
15.2 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
West 10 Mile Road
Turn left onto West 10 Mile Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| John C Lodge Freeway | 13 mi | 17m |
| Southfield Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Jefferson Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Congress Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Griswold Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Cadillac Square | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Bates Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| West 10 Mile Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
John C Lodge Freeway
— 13 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Southfield, MI.
1
Start on Cadillac Square
313 ft
·
14 sec
·
Cadillac Square
2
Turn right onto Bates Street
247 ft
·
7 sec
·
Bates Street
3
Turn right onto East Congress Street
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Congress Street
4
Turn left onto Griswold Street
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Griswold Street
Use the none lane.
5
Turn right onto M 10
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Jefferson Avenue
6
Continue on M 10
13 mi
·
17 min
·
John C Lodge Freeway
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 14C
Toward Southfield Road
Use the slight right lane.
8
Turn straight onto Southfield Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Southfield Road
Use the none lane.
9
Turn left onto West 10 Mile Road
192 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 10 Mile Road
Use the left lane.
10
Arrive at destination
West 10 Mile Road
Trip Plan
Since this route is short and direct, you have total flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to schedule any stops along the way, as the 22-minute duration allows for a seamless, non-stop transit. Keep in mind that your primary navigation will involve the John C Lodge Freeway, so checking for typical traffic flow on this major artery before you head out is a smart move. Because the fuel cost is a modest $2, you can easily handle the drive on a single tank without needing to plan for gas breaks. Enjoy the convenience of such a swift connection between Detroit and Southfield.
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 7.6 miles from Detroit, MI, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13 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 15.2 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.6 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southfield, 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 15.2 miles and 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Detroit, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on John C Lodge Freeway for about 13 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.6 mi from Detroit, MI · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 15.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.6 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Southfield, MI
The final approach into Southfield, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Southfield, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.31 one way
$4.62 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.55 | $5.09 |
| premium | $4.80 | $2.87 | $5.74 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.38 | $6.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.60 | $0.73 |
| Efficient EV | 3.8 | 0 | $1.33 | $0.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.1 | 0 | $2.13 | $0.97 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Southfield, MI
Evening in Southfield on Sunday
Local time
6:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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
1 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
22m 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 Southfield, MI covers 15.2 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are John C Lodge Freeway, Southfield Road, West Jefferson Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.6 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 $2.31 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 is a straightforward 22m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Bates Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (Griswold Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (M 10 / West Jefferson Avenue): Navigation decision point.
The route from Detroit, MI to Southfield, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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