Origin
Warren, MI
Evening in Warren on Wednesday
Local time
6:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Warren, MI to Detroit, MI
Last recalculated Apr 15, 2026
Drive Time
24m
Distance
18.2 mi
29 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 23m
★
6 AM
0h 25m
8 AM
0h 29m
10 AM
0h 26m
12 PM
0h 26m
3 PM
0h 26m
5 PM
0h 29m
8 PM
0h 23m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Warren, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning to head from Warren to Detroit, you are looking at a quick 18.2-mile trip that typically takes just 24 minutes. Since the entire journey stays within the Midwest, this drive is best suited as a simple day trip that requires no overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $3 on fuel, making it a very budget-friendly commute. The route relies heavily on the South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and the Walter P. Reuther Freeway to connect these two Michigan cities. It is a straightforward, practical path for anyone needing to navigate between these locations efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
9.1 miles from Warren, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience with 89% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of the drive navigating the Chrysler Freeway system, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 9.7 miles. Because this is essentially a metropolitan corridor, the road feels like a standard interstate grind rather than a leisurely scenic route. You will find that the transitions between the Walter P. Reuther Freeway and the Chrysler Freeway are the primary technical aspects of the drive. It is a no-nonsense transit experience designed for speed and direct access.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Burg Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Warren, MI to Detroit, MI is easy. At 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Warren, MI to Detroit, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Burg Road | — | — |
| East 11 Mile Road | — | — |
| I 696 West | — | — |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | — | — |
| I 75 South | — | — |
| I-696 West | — | — |
| South Walter P | — | — |
| Walter P | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Burg Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Warren, MI and Detroit, MI.
1
Start on the route
427 ft
·
36 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto Burg Road
371 ft
·
18 sec
·
Burg Road
3
Turn right onto East 11 Mile Road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
East 11 Mile Road
4
Continue on East 11 Mile Road
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
East 11 Mile Road
5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 696 West
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 696 West
6
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
8
Keep slight left to continue on I-696 West to I-75 South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I-696 West to I-75 South
9
Merge slight left onto South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
9.7 mi
·
11 min
·
South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
10
Keep slight left to continue on Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
11
Take the exit slight right toward Jefferson Avenue East
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Jefferson Avenue East
12
Turn straight onto Chrysler Drive
135 ft
·
9 sec
·
Chrysler Drive
13
Turn right onto East Congress Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East Congress Street
14
Turn right onto Woodward Avenue
449 ft
·
19 sec
·
Woodward Avenue
15
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
128 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cadillac Square
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 24-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though monitoring local traffic patterns on the freeways is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the 18.2-mile distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your $3 fuel budget in mind, but remember that the convenience of this highway-heavy route means you can get from Warren to Detroit with minimal interruption. Because the trip is so brief, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure you maintain that 24-minute travel time. Pack light and enjoy the ease of this quick Michigan transit.
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 9.1 miles from Warren, MI, or about 12m into the drive.
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 18 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.1 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Warren, MI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Warren, MI
This is one driving day of about 18.2 miles and 24m.
At 18.2 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.1 mi from Warren, MI · 12m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.1 miles from Warren, 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
$2.85 one way
$5.69 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $3.12 | $6.25 |
| premium | $4.89 | $3.50 | $7.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.02 | $8.04 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.5 | 0 | $1.91 | $0.87 |
| Efficient EV | 4.6 | 0 | $1.59 | $0.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.55 | $1.16 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Detroit, MI
Evening in Detroit on Wednesday
Local time
6:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
24m 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 Warren, MI to Detroit, MI covers 18.2 miles and takes about 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Burg Road, East 11 Mile Road, I 696 West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 9.1 miles from Warren, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.85 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.
The drive from Warren, MI to Detroit, MI is easy. At 24m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Warren, MI to Detroit, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Warren, MI to Detroit, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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