Detroit Princess Riverboat
Near the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18773382628
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 1m
Distance
156.9 mi
252 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
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
Wyoming, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Detroit, MI to Wyoming, MI is 156.9 miles and takes about 3h 1m via I 96, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This Midwest road trip keeps you within Michigan for its entirety, offering a straightforward drive. With a high percentage of highway driving, it’s a practical choice for those prioritizing speed and efficiency. Plan for a single day to complete this journey, making it ideal for a quick relocation or a visit between these two Michigan cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78.4 miles from Detroit, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 1m. Total distance: 156.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the journey taking place on major roadways like I 96 and the John C Lodge Freeway. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including a significant 120.8-mile segment on I 96. Expect a fairly uniform driving experience for the majority of the trip, transitioning to local roads like 28th Street Southeast closer to your destination. It's a profile that suits those who prefer to cover ground quickly on well-maintained highways.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and John C Lodge Freeway. 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 156.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway 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): Navigation decision point; at 18.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Bates Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Griswold Street
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward I 696 West: Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward M 11 West: 28th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 120.8 mi | 2h 9m |
| John C Lodge Freeway | 17.8 mi | 23m |
| 28th Street Southeast | 8.6 mi | 15m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 8.2 mi | 8m |
| 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 |
Step-by-step road directions between Detroit, MI and Wyoming, 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 696
Merge onto I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Take the exit
Turn straight onto M 11
Turn left onto Burlingame Avenue Southwest
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Detroit in the morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic on the John C Lodge Freeway. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $25, planning your fuel fill-up before leaving Detroit or shortly after hitting I 96 should suffice. Keep an eye on the mileage for the 120.8-mile stretch on I 96 to ensure you have adequate fuel before that long segment.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 35 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.4 miles or 1h 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wyoming, MI than in the middle of the route.
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 156.9 miles and 3h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 78.4 mi from Detroit, MI · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 78.4 miles from Detroit, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.8 miles.
The final approach into Wyoming, 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 Wyoming, MI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Detroit, Michigan
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18773382628
Cafe Sous Terre
Detroit, Michigan
Top Coffee Stop
Detroit, Michigan
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm
+13137824291
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Madcap Coffee Company
Detroit, Michigan
Near the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18773382628
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+13132282880
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+16162588350
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Livonia, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12489578019
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm
+13137824291
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+13133383515
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–7 pm
+18888669091
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+12485627708
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Brighton, Michigan
Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Lansing, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+15175745573
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Brighton, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+18102272233
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+13133649143
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm
+13137105156
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13135668250
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13135668200
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13135668200
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+13133960217
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Okemos, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–3 pm
+15173493866
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Detroit, Michigan
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, short detour
Windsor, Ontario
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15192531812
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$24.53 one way
$49.06 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.93 | $53.86 |
| premium | $4.89 | $30.19 | $60.39 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.64 | $69.28 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.47 | $7.53 |
| Efficient EV | 39.2 | 0 | $13.73 | $6.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.97 | $10.04 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Late night in Detroit on Saturday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Wyoming on Saturday
Local time
3:32 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
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
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
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.
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.
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