Detroit to Chicago Fuel Cost
Driving distance and fuel cost for a trip from Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL: 281.5 miles (453.0 km) one way. Use the calculator below with your own vehicle and fuel price.
Calculator Parameters
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Your Calculation Results
Average Consumption (5.5 - 8.5 L/100km)- Total Fuel Needed (for this trip)
- 9.38 US gallons (35.5 liters total)
- Total Fuel Cost (for this trip)
- $14.08
- Cost breakdown per distance unit
- $0.050 per mile • $0.031 per km
Fuel economy in every unit
- L/100km
- 7.8
- MPG US
- 30.0
- MPG UK
- 36.0
- km/L
- 12.8
Cost by vehicle type
One way trip cost at $1.50 per US gallon (placeholder price), using one representative vehicle from each category in the 30 vehicle dataset tracked on this site.
| Category | Vehicle | Combined | Fuel needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Hyundai Elantra | 34 MPG | 8.3 US gallons | $12.42 |
| Midsize Sedan | Nissan Altima | 31 MPG | 9.1 US gallons | $13.62 |
| Compact SUV | Toyota RAV4 | 30 MPG | 9.4 US gallons | $14.08 |
| Midsize SUV | Chevrolet Traverse | 23 MPG | 12.2 US gallons | $18.36 |
| Truck | Ford F-150 | 21 MPG | 13.4 US gallons | $20.11 |
| Hybrid | Honda CR-V Hybrid | 40 MPG | 7.0 US gallons | $10.56 |
| Electric | Tesla Model Y | 120 MPGe | 2.3 US gallons | $3.52 |
About this route & highway corridor
At 281.5 miles (453.0 km) and approximately 5.3 hours of continuous driving via Interstate 94 East through Northwest Indiana and Lower Michigan, Detroit to Chicago represents an easy single-day journey or weekend road trip. Because driving takes place predominantly at sustained highway speeds, overall fuel consumption tracks closer to your vehicle's official highway EPA rating.
Driving west from Detroit to Chicago, fuel up in Michigan or Indiana before crossing into Cook County, where county and municipal gas taxes add roughly 50 cents per gallon. This route traverses Flat Midwestern terrain around Lake Michigan, prone to lake-effect winter snow and persistent crosswinds.. Toll considerations: Indiana Toll Road (I-90/I-80) if taking the southern bypass.
This trip crosses state lines from MI into IL. Fuel taxes and wholesale supply costs can shift pump prices by 40 to 80 cents per gallon between states. Comparing regional fuel price benchmarks before departure allows you to plan your major fill-ups where prices are lowest. Stop for fuel in Northwest Indiana (Michigan City or Gary area) to take advantage of lower fuel taxes.
With a total distance of 282 miles, almost all modern passenger cars and SUVs can cover the Detroit to Chicago route on a single full tank of fuel.
Plan on roughly 1 to 2 rest or refueling stops along the Detroit to Chicago drive. To maximize fuel economy, maintain steady speeds between 65 and 70 mph; aerodynamic drag causes fuel consumption to increase by roughly 10% for every 5 mph driven over 65 mph.
Distance and driving time source: OpenStreetMap Nominatim geocoding and OSRM driving routing. Last updated July 24, 2026.
Gas Prices & Fuel Planning for Detroit to Chicago
Fuel prices vary along this driving corridor. Check current average fuel benchmarks at both ends of your trip to plan the most economical fill-ups:
Specialized Fuel Calculators for This Trip
Reverse route
Chicago to Detroit Trip CostNearby routes
Frequently asked questions
The standard highway driving route from Detroit to Chicago covers 281.5 miles (453.0 km) and takes approximately 5.3 hours in typical traffic conditions, traveling primarily via Interstate 94 East through Northwest Indiana and Lower Michigan.
Divide the trip distance of 281.5 miles by your car's combined MPG rating to find the gallons of fuel required, then multiply by the average pump price along your route. For example, a 30 MPG vehicle will burn roughly 9.4 gallons of fuel.
Indiana Toll Road (I-90/I-80) if taking the southern bypass. Terrain notes: Flat Midwestern terrain around Lake Michigan, prone to lake-effect winter snow and persistent crosswinds..
Stop for fuel in Northwest Indiana (Michigan City or Gary area) to take advantage of lower fuel taxes.
With a total distance of 282 miles, almost all modern passenger cars and SUVs can cover the Detroit to Chicago route on a single full tank of fuel.
The physical road distance is identical in both directions. However, fuel costs may vary depending on where you purchase gas, as state fuel tax rates and prevailing winds (such as headwinds when driving west) can slightly influence consumption and spending.