Detroit to New Orleans: Road Trip Guide & Distance

940.1 miles 1512.9 km · straight line
1061.7 miles actual route 1708.7 km · driving distance
19h 36min estimated drive time
$102 - $126 estimated fuel cost
~2h 23min flight time
207° SSW bearing direction

How far is Detroit from New Orleans?

The distance from Detroit to New Orleans is 940.1 miles (1512.9 km) as the crow flies. New Orleans is located SSW of Detroit. By car, the driving distance is approximately 1061.7 miles, taking about 19h 36min. A direct flight would take roughly 2h 23min. Both are located in United States — Detroit in Michigan and New Orleans in Louisiana.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare. For a trip of this distance, flying is significantly faster. However, driving offers the flexibility to explore stops along the way.

Coordinates come from public place data for Detroit and New Orleans. The driving distance uses an OSRM road-route result when route data is available. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.

How to Get from Detroit to New Orleans

Method Time Est. Cost Best For
Drive 19h 36min $102 - $126 Flexible stops
Fly ~2h 23min $80–200* Speed
Bus ~23h 31min $85–$159* Budget
Train ~25h 29min $127–$372* Comfort

Suggested Stops Between Detroit & New Orleans

Quick Facts

Detroit
42.33°N, 83.05°W
America/Detroit
183m elevation
New Orleans
29.95°N, 90.07°W
America/Chicago
1m elevation
Explore more routes from New Orleans

Did You Know?

  • At walking speed (3 mph), it would take about 313 hours of non-stop walking
  • By bicycle at 12 mph, the journey would take roughly 78 hours
  • You could travel this distance about 26.5 times to circle the Earth's equator
Data Sources & Estimate Notes GeoNames · OpenStreetMap · OSRM