Detroit
is the legendary birthplace of the U.S. automotive industry, and it remains home to General Motors, the Ford Motor Company, and Fiat Chrysler. But just because Detroit is the birthplace of cars doesn’t mean it gets a pass when it comes to heavy traffic—rush hour is very busy in Detroit, especially along I-75 and I-94. From Detroit’s automotive history to its vibrant arts scene anchored by the venerable Detroit Institute of Arts to its rich music culture dating back to the heyday of Motown, Michigan’s
largest city is making a slow-but-steady recovery and becoming a sought-after destination for both new residents and tourists alike. While Detroit’s population is significantly smaller than it was in its prime, the 660,000-plus people who live here and the nearly 16 million folks who visit annually mean this city’s traffic issues are getting worse. What is driving in Detroit like?
Driving in Detroit is busy—rush hour traffic is particularly bad along both I-75 and I-94, and the city’s roads take a pounding due to Michigan’s relentless winters.
Roads
In Detroit, the original hexagonal street pattern has largely disappeared as the city expanded outward. The majority of commercial and civic structures are located downtown, close to the river. There you’ll find the City-County Building; Cobo Hall and Cobo Arena; and the Renaissance Tower, which includes a 73-story hotel that dominates the city skyline.
Meanwhile, most of Detroit’s cultural institutions sit about two miles northwest of downtown in the Detroit Cultural Center.
Michigan has an extensive highway and byway network, and the main thoroughfares pass through Detroit. The city’s most prominent interstates are I-75 (the Walter P. Chrysler Freeway) and I-94 (the Edsel Ford Freeway).
From downtown toward the suburbs, Gratiot Avenue, Grand River Avenue, Woodward Avenue, and Michigan Avenue fill up fast. So drivers should be prepared for a slow go during rush hour.
Parking
Compared to other big cities, parking in Detroit is cheap. Download the Park Detroit app
to find parking within the city and to see prices, ranging from $2 to $5. Visitors can prepay for parking in garages, lots, and more. The app even checks for open spots on both public and private surface lots, in garages, and on the street. Users can zoom in to pinpoint spots, then compare prices by block.
Parking is plentiful and can usually be found easily on the street and in lots (outdoors or indoors), though the app certainly comes in handy if you’re looking for parking before a big event.
Weather
Bad roads are a pain to deal with during warmer months, but winter brings lots of snow, ice, and slush, making commuting a serious chore. During the winter, snow tires can be a big help.
Detroit’s Public Works Department takes care of snow removal on major roads, residential streets, and bike lanes once three inches have accumulated. There are lots of signs posted to show designated snow removal routes—do not park in them, as parking isn’t allowed during plowing.
MORE: How to find city parking
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowTraffic and transportation options in Detroit
Detroit traffic
is heavy, especially during rush hour, and traffic jams are pretty common. Here are the worst times to drive in Detroit:6:00 am to 10:00 am: If you’re trying to avoid rush hour, do your best to steer clear of downtown during peak hours in the morning
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm: Traffic is heaviest leaving downtown during this window of time. I-75, I-94, and I-696 are all busy at the end of the day, as they offer direct routes to the suburbs that feed into and out of downtown.
Of course, game days can be busy downtown around Comerica Park for baseball games and Ford Field for football, while the Midtown area around Little Caesars Arena (for hockey and basketball games) can also get busy.
So, what’s the best time to drive in Detroit? If you can avoid rush hour, you shouldn't have to deal with outrageous traffic. Tune into WWJ Newsradio 950
for Detroit traffic updates. Should I rent a car in Detroit?
Michigan’s largest city is spread out, so renting a vehicle is a good idea if you’re visiting. Unfortunately, Detroit’s public transit system is rated one of the worst in the country—perhaps not a surprise in a city famous for cars. So it’s probably not worth the headache to deal with if you’ll only be in town temporarily.
If you do rent a car
, you may find yourself in traffic. But if you can avoid I-75 and I-94, you should be able to navigate the city relatively smoothly. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Local driving laws in Detroit
Before hitting the road, familiarize yourself with some local driving laws in Detroit:
Cell phones: Michigan doesn’t outlaw cell phone use while driving, but Detroit does have a local ordinance banning the use of handheld devices while driving. You can use your phone in hands-free mode, though.
If an emergency vehicle is approaching, be sure to pull over or slow down so the vehicle can safely pass you.
Crime rate in Detroit
Detroit’s crime rate can affect your experience driving through the city. If you live here, it can impact your car insurance
rates, as well. According to the FBI, Detroit’s motor vehicle theft rate is one of the highest in the country, with 1 in 114 vehicles being stolen.
Overall, the Motor City’s crime rate is significantly higher than cities of comparable size—with 56 crimes per 1,000 residents. If you’re a worrier, stick to the city’s safer neighborhoods, which include:
“This was the coolest insurance company I’ve seen so far. They saved me $1,200 and their UX is stellar. Go Jerry
!” —Carla W.
RECOMMENDEDInstantly compare top insurance companies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What insurance do you want to compare?
