Detroit to Chicago drive: Distance, time & best road trip stops
The distance from Detroit to Chicago by car is 283 miles, with a driving time of around 4h23m. The best road trip stops on the Detroit to Chicago drive are Ann Arbor, the American Museum of Magic and Indiana Dunes National Park.
Planning a Detroit to Chicago road trip itinerary
The Detroit to Chicago drive connects the two biggest American cities on the Great Lakes, taking you from Michigan to Illinois.
Our favourite thing to do in Chicago
The Chicago architecture cruise has a phenomenal wow factor, with the boat gliding between some of the world’s most legendary skyscrapers.
We found the commentary matches the views, too. Expect a fascinating run-down of the city’s history – and plenty of surprising detail about the buildings you’re seeing.
Top things to do in Detroit include the excellent architecture walking tours, the Sealife Michigan Aquarium and the Legoland Discovery Centre. The Motown Museum and Ford Piquette Avenue Plant are great, too.
Highly recommended Chicago experiences include an architecture river cruise, a gangsters and ghosts tour of famous Mob sites and a bike tour of the lakefront neighbourhoods. It’s also worth paying a visit to the Field Museum, the 360 Chicago observation deck at the Hancock Tower and the Chicago Architecture Center.
For more suggestions on things to do between Detroit and Chicago, visit the guides for the Detroit to Kalamazoo drive and Kalamazoo to Chicago drive.
Detroit to Chicago distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Detroit to Chicago is 283 miles. You can expect a driving time of around four hours and 23 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-94 then the I-90.
The best stops to add to a Detroit to Chicago road trip itinerary are Ann Arbor, the American Museum of Magic and Indiana Dunes National Park.
Best stops between Detroit and Chicago: Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan and most of the city’s key highlights have university links. The Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History are the two big museums – expect crowd-pleasing mammoth skeletons and a planetarium in the latter.
On a sunny day, you’ll probably be more content strolling through the Nichols Arboretum or Matthaei Botanic Gardens. Alternatively, try paddleboarding or kayaking on the Huron River.
Detroit to Chicago drive: American Museum of Magic
The American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan, is the biggest magic museum in the US that is open to the public. Inside a 19th century building, the American Museum of Magic has an enormous collection of paraphernalia and memorabilia. But it’s at its best when it explores the lives and innovations of individual magicians.
Guided tours, which add a little flair and showmanship, are also available.
Detroit to Chicago road trip stops: Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park stretches for 15 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. While it is primarily adored for its beaches, the mixture of ecosystems is fascinating for those who want to do more than just lie on the sand.
The dunes take the attention, but the hiking trails take in woodland too, and are surrounded by wildflowers in spring. Come in winter, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available.
Fishing for steelhead in the Little Calumet River is also immensely popular, while the birdwatching amongst the quiet dunes is highly productive.
More Detroit road trips
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