Skip to main content

Trip from Scio, MI to Detroit, MI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

58m

Distance

47.4 mi

76 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$7

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 14 min
4 AM
0h 54m ★
6 AM
0h 58m
8 AM
1h 8m
10 AM
1h 2m
12 PM
1h 1m
3 PM
1h 2m
5 PM
1h 7m
8 PM
0h 55m

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

township in Michigan

Scio, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 47.4-mile drive from Scio, MI to Detroit, MI is easily manageable in just under an hour, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on M 14 and the Jeffries Freeway (Express), with a portion on I-96, offering a straightforward journey through Michigan's Midwest region. With an estimated fuel cost of $7, this route is quite budget-friendly. The mixed drive profile suggests a blend of highway speeds and potentially some more varied road conditions as you approach the city. Given the short duration and distance, you won't need an overnight stay, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 58m. Total distance: 47.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this trip, with 43% of the drive utilizing major freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 20.1 miles along M 14, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. The profile is described as a 'mixed drive,' hinting that while much of it is fast-paced interstate, you might encounter some transitions or variations as you get closer to Detroit. This route isn't likely to be a winding, scenic byway but rather a functional path designed for efficient travel.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
M 14 is the longest continuous segment at about 20.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.9 miles in near M 14.

Driving Effort 10/10

Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a short but busy drive. With 19 decision points packed into just 47.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 9.9 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.2 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

9
9.9 mi into trip | ~14m in | M 14

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 42 Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
7
34.2 mi into trip | ~40m in | I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express) toward I 96 Express: Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 96 Express: Downtown
7
45.1 mi into trip | ~52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 75 North: Flint
7
46.3 mi into trip | ~54m in

Take the exit toward Grand River Avenue

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 50 Toward Grand River Avenue
7
47.3 mi into trip | ~57m in | Woodward Avenue

Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Scio, MI and Detroit, MI, road signs point toward M 14 East: Plymouth, M 14 East, Livonia, M 10: Flint and Downtown.

M 14 East: Plymouth

4.2 mi in | ~7m

M 14 East

7.5 mi in | ~11m | via M 14

Livonia

9.9 mi in | ~14m | via M 14

M 10: Flint

44.8 mi in | ~52m

Downtown

44.8 mi in | ~52m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
M 14 20.1 mi 21m
Jeffries Freeway (Express) 10.6 mi 11m
I 96 9.2 mi 9m
Miller Road 3.1 mi 4m
Zeeb Road 1.1 mi 2m
Fisher Freeway 0.8 mi 1m
Grand River Avenue 0.5 mi 1m
Griswold Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: M 14 — 20.1 mi, about 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Scio, MI and Detroit, MI.

1

Start on Huron River Drive

19 ft · 7 sec · Huron River Drive
2

Turn left onto Zeeb Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Zeeb Road
3

Enter roundabout onto Miller Road

130 ft · 2 sec · Miller Road
4

Continue on Miller Road

2.1 mi · 3 min · Miller Road
5

Enter roundabout onto Miller Road

96 ft · 3 sec · Miller Road
6

Continue on Miller Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Miller Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward M 14 East: Plymouth
8

Enter roundabout

119 ft · 2 sec
Toward M 14 East: Plymouth
9

Continue

0.3 mi · 45 sec
Toward M 14 East: Plymouth
10

Merge onto M 14

2.6 mi · 2 min · M 14
11

Keep right at fork onto M 14

2.4 mi · 2 min · M 14
Toward M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
12

Keep slight left at fork onto M 14

15 mi · 16 min · M 14
Exit 42 Toward M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 96

9.2 mi · 9 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

11 mi · 11 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Toward I 96 Express: Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 75 North, M 10: Flint, Downtown
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the slight left lane.
17

Merge onto I 75

0.8 mi · 1 min · Fisher Freeway
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 50 Toward Grand River Avenue Use the slight right lane.
19

Continue on Fisher Drive West

442 ft · 16 sec · Fisher Drive West
Use the straight lane.
20

Turn right onto M 5

0.5 mi · 1 min · Grand River Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Turn right onto Griswold Street

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Griswold Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn left onto Michigan Avenue

341 ft · 15 sec · Michigan Avenue
23

Turn right onto Woodward Avenue

179 ft · 6 sec · Woodward Avenue
Use the right lane.
24

Continue on Woodward Avenue

124 ft · 8 sec · Woodward Avenue
25

Continue on Woodward Avenue

231 ft · 14 sec · Woodward Avenue
26

Turn right onto Cadillac Square

126 ft · 4 sec · Cadillac Square
27

Arrive at destination

Cadillac Square

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 23.7 mi from Scio, MI · 29m into the drive

Downtown Plymouth, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Plymouth, MI

24 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

Ann Arbor, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 10 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Plymouth, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 23.7 miles from Scio, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Detroit, MI

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Detroit, 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

$7.41 one way

$14.82 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 17 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $8.14 $16.27
premium $4.89 $9.12 $18.24
diesel $5.61 $10.47 $20.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$7

Estimated CO2 emission: 16.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 14.2 0 $4.98 $2.28
Efficient EV 11.9 0 $4.15 $1.90
EV Truck/SUV 19 0 $6.64 $3.03

Gas CO2

17 kg

EV CO2

6 kg (65% 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

Scio, MI

Afternoon in Scio on Thursday

Local time

12:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Detroit, MI

Afternoon in Detroit on Thursday

Local time

12:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

68°F

Plymouth, MI

24 mi in

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

2 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

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 Scio, MI to Detroit, MI covers 47.4 miles and takes about 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are M 14, Jeffries Freeway (Express), I 96. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23.7 miles from Scio, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.41 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 short but busy drive. With 19 decision points packed into just 47.4 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 58m.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.9 miles (M 14): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.2 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 45.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Scio, MI and Detroit, MI, road signs point toward M 14 East: Plymouth, M 14 East, Livonia, M 10: Flint and Downtown.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Scio, MI or browse trips ending in Detroit, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.

Explore maps for Scio, MI or Detroit, MI on MapSof.net.