Origin
Waverly, MI
Morning in Waverly on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Waverly, MI to Detroit, MI
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
1h 31m
Distance
94.9 mi
153 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 25m
★
6 AM
1h 32m
8 AM
1h 46m
10 AM
1h 36m
12 PM
1h 35m
3 PM
1h 37m
5 PM
1h 45m
8 PM
1h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Waverly, MI
Tim Mossholder
Trip Overview
This 94.9-mile drive from Waverly to Detroit, Michigan, is a manageable 1-hour and 31-minute journey that fits perfectly into a single day. You'll navigate primarily using Elmwood Drive, West Saginaw Highway, and West Saginaw Street, with no highway stretches, making it a direct local route. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $14, which is quite economical for the distance covered. Given its relatively short duration and local road focus, this route is ideal for a straightforward day trip without the need for an overnight stay. It offers a practical way to travel within the Midwest region of Michigan.
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
47.5 miles from Waverly, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for the entirety of this 94.9-mile trip, as it features a 0% highway share. You won't encounter long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed driving; instead, the route is characterized by its frequent turns and local road conditions. As you progress from Waverly towards Detroit, the road will likely transition through various community and suburban settings. This profile suggests a more engaged driving experience, requiring your attention to navigation and local traffic patterns rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm.
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.
Elmwood Drive 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 Waverly, MI to Detroit, MI is easy. At 1h 31m 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 Waverly, MI to Detroit, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Elmwood Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Saginaw Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Saginaw Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Howard Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 127 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 96 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| John C Lodge Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Elmwood Drive
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waverly, MI and Detroit, MI.
1
Start on Dornet Drive
354 ft
·
17 sec
·
Dornet Drive
2
Turn right onto Elmwood Drive
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Elmwood Drive
3
Turn right onto West Saginaw Highway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Saginaw Highway
4
Continue on West Saginaw Street
4.7 mi
·
9 min
·
West Saginaw Street
5
Turn right onto North Howard Avenue
279 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Howard Avenue
6
Take the ramp slight left toward US 127 South
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 127 South
7
Merge slight left
4.1 mi
·
4 min
8
Take the exit slight left toward I 96 East: Detroit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
I 96 East: Detroit
9
Merge slight right
56 mi
·
1 hr
10
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
11
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
18 mi
·
23 min
·
John C Lodge Freeway
12
Take the exit slight left toward Larned Street, Downtown
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Larned Street, Downtown
13
Continue on West Larned Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Larned Street
14
Turn left onto Woodward Avenue
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Woodward Avenue
15
Turn right onto Cadillac Square
128 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cadillac Square
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
For this 1-hour and 31-minute drive, you have considerable flexibility on when to depart. Leaving in the mid-morning or early afternoon can help you avoid the busiest local traffic. Since there are no designated stops and the drive is under 100 miles, you can easily complete it without needing to plan for extensive breaks. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means you'll be making frequent adjustments. The estimated fuel cost of $14 makes this an affordable trip, but it's always wise to ensure you have enough gas before starting, especially when relying on local roads where stations might be less frequent than on highways.
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 47.5 miles from Waverly, MI, or about 45m 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 80 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.5 miles or 45m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Detroit, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Waverly, 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 Waverly, MI
This is one driving day of about 94.9 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Waverly, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.5 mi from Waverly, MI · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.5 miles from Waverly, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Detroit, MI
The final approach into Detroit, 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 Detroit, 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
$14.84 one way
$29.67 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.29 | $32.58 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.26 | $36.53 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $20.95 | $41.91 |
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: 33.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.5 | 0 | $9.96 | $4.56 |
| Efficient EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38 | 0 | $13.29 | $6.07 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Morning in Detroit on Wednesday
Local time
7:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 31m 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 Waverly, MI to Detroit, MI covers 94.9 miles and takes about 1h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Elmwood Drive, West Saginaw Highway, West Saginaw Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.5 miles from Waverly, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.84 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 Waverly, MI to Detroit, MI is easy. At 1h 31m 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 Waverly, MI to Detroit, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Waverly, MI to Detroit, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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