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 Illinois's current fuel prices (week of 2026-07-20), the fuel for the trip costs about $40.00 in a typical petrol car — here's the full breakdown for petrol, diesel and electric.
Enter your fuel economy and see stops along the way.
How this cost is calculated
We take the real driving distance between Chicago and Detroit (281 miles) from OpenStreetMap routing, then multiply by a typical car's fuel use and Illinois's current average pump price. The petrol 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 planner for your exact numbers, and check live 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. Fuel costs roughly $40.00 in an average petrol car, $40.98 in a diesel, and $13.67 in an electric car, using Illinois's current fuel prices.
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 Michigan ($4.26/gal) than in Illinois ($4.26/gal), so wait to fill up when you arrive.
How do I get the exact cost for my car?
Open the FuelWide route planner, enter your car's fuel economy, and it prices the trip on live data — and shows fuel or charging stops along the way.
Driving distance via OSRM / OpenStreetMap. Fuel prices are Illinois's current official averages; efficiency and electricity rate are typical estimates. Your figure will vary — use the planner for an exact result.