Cost to drive from Chicago to Detroit
Driving from Chicago to Detroit covers 281 miles (453 km) and takes about 5h 18min without stops. At the latest average price in each state along the way, the gas for the trip costs about $44 in a typical gas car — here's the full breakdown for gas, diesel and electric.
State by state: where the gas money goes
The 9.4 gal a typical gas car burns on this drive, priced where it is burned.
Where to fill up
Filling up at these stops instead of wherever the tank runs low saves about $3 (7.3%).
- 1.Any station in Indianaat 17 mi4.1 gal at $4.02/gal
Assumes a 13-gallon tank that starts half full. Your car will differ — plan it with your own numbers.
Tolls and vignettes: not included — we hold no verified toll tariffs for United States, and we don't guess them.
Gas, diesel or electric — priced for your car
Pick the kind of car you drive and whether you are coming back. Prices are the average across every state on the route.
Driving Chicago → Detroit in a family car, electric costs $40.23 less than diesel — 75% of the bill.
Chicago vs Detroit: which end is cheaper?
The two ends of this route are priced by different markets, so where you fill up changes what the drive costs.
What if fuel prices move?
Booking this drive for later in the year? Pump prices swing with crude, season and tax changes — here is the same 281 miles in a typical petrol car at four price levels.
Your car's mpg, tank and fuel level — plus tolls, route options and the cheapest stops.
How this cost is calculated
We take the real driving route between Chicago and Detroit (281 miles) from OpenStreetMap routing, work out how far it runs in each state, and price the fuel a typical car burns in each one at that place's latest published average. The gas figure assumes 30 MPG · 7.8 L/100km; diesel and EV use 35 MPG · 6.7 L/100km and 3.5 mi/kWh. Your real cost depends on your car, traffic, driving style and the stations you pick — use the trip planner for your exact numbers, or check prices on the Illinois fuel prices page.
Related routes
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to drive from Chicago to Detroit?
The drive is 281 miles (453 km) and takes about 5h 18min without stops. Gas costs roughly $44.07 in an average gas car, $53.83 in a diesel, and $13.67 in an electric car, using the latest average price in each state along the way.
Which state has the cheapest gas between Chicago and Detroit?
Indiana, at $4.02/gal on average, against $4.90/gal in Illinois. Timing your fill-ups around that difference saves about $3 in a typical car.
How far is it from Chicago to Detroit in miles and km?
About 281 miles or 453 kilometres by road — roughly 5h 18min of driving.
Is it cheaper to fill up in Chicago or Detroit?
Petrol is cheaper in Illinois ($4.90/gal) than in Michigan ($4.84/gal), so fill up before you leave.
How many times will I need to fill up between Chicago and Detroit?
None on the way. The drive needs about 9.4 gal of petrol and a typical 15 gal tank covers roughly 450 miles, so one full tank at the start does the whole trip.
Is it cheaper to drive or fly from Chicago to Detroit?
On fuel alone the drive costs about $44 one way, and that cost splits across everyone in the car — with $11 each for four people, which is where driving usually wins. Against that, the drive takes 5h 18min without stops, and a fair comparison also counts tolls, parking, wear and any overnight stay.
What will this trip cost if fuel prices change?
At today's prices the gas is about $44. A 10% rise takes it to $48, a 25% rise to $55, and a 10% fall to $40. Prices here refresh as each source publishes, so this page always reflects the latest figures.
How do I get the exact cost for my car?
Set the vehicle type on this page for an instant estimate, or open the FuelWide trip planner with your car's fuel economy, tank size and how full it is — it prices the drive state by state and suggests where refuelling is cheaper (state averages in the US, individual forecourt prices where a country publishes them).
Driving distance via OSRM / OpenStreetMap. Fuel prices are the latest published averages for each state on the route (sources named on each price page); efficiency and electricity rates are typical estimates, and tolls are not included unless listed above. Your figure will vary — use the planner for an exact result.