The primary north-south artery for Detroit Area, it traverses Downtown and some of the major commercial centers of Oakland and Wayne counties. This road has numerous functions from commuter road to international traderoute. Because of the era in which it was built, much of the suburban freeway is at-grade to raised-level with exits scattered about every two miles. As a result, congestion on surface streets that parallel and intersect Interstate 75 are notorious for congestion - especially in Oakland County. MDOT will be expanding the freeway to 8 lanes north of 8 Mile Road (M-102) by 2012 and removing the cloverleaf interchange at M-59 (replacing it with a free-flowing stack interchange). Nevertheless, proposals have been created for interchanges at 13 Mile Road, 15 Mile Road, Long Lake Road and a reconstructed interchange with Lapeer Road (M-24). The only current proposal which has progressed is the Long Lake Road interchange. Downriver, Interstate 75 has been completely reconstructed from MP 37 northward to downtown. Done in three phases, this project repaved an extremely deplorable roadway which some people frustratedly called the "Fisher Gravelway". The freeway remains 6 lanes through Berlin Township in Monroe County all the way down into the state known as Ohio.

Counties: Monroe, Oakland, Wayne

Communities: Allen Park, Auburn Hills, Bloomfield, Brownstown, Berlin, Detroit, Hamtramck, Hazel Park, Independence, Lincoln Park, Madison Heights, Melvindale, Orion, Rockwood, Royal Oak, Southgate, South Rockwood, Troy, Woodhaven

Distance (within metro area): 84.98 miles

Exit Guide is accessible here.

Interesctions: I-94, I-96, I-275, I-375, I-696, US-12*, US-24 (2), M-1, M-3, M-8, M-10, M-24, M-39, M-59, M-85, M-102, BL I-75 (2), Old BS I-96, Ambassador Bridge

Points of Interest: Comerica Park, Cranbrook (4 miles), Daimler Chrysler World Headquarters, Detroit Zoo (2 miles), Eastern Market, Ford Field, Fort Wayne (.5 mile), Great Lakes Crossing, Lake Erie Metropark (1.5 miles), Meadowbrook (2 miles), Mexicantown, Oakland University (1 mile), Orchestra Place (.4 miles), Palace of Auburn Hills

More Information / Beyond Detroit: The I-75 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

One of the most significant corridors to Michigan and even the United States; Interstate 94 connects Chicago to Detroit and Canada. This highway carries great amounts of international trade (much of which goes through Port Huron). Functioning as an east-west corridor, it connects Macomb County to Downtown and the Western Suburbs. Access to both airports can be achieved from this Interstate, and it connects to every major artery in the Metropolitan Area. Because of tremendous traffic and a substandard design in portions of Detroit, MDOT is making plans to widen I-94 to 8 lanes from Conner to Interstate 96.

Counties: Macomb, Saint Clair, Washtenaw, Wayne

Communities: Allen Park, Ann Arbor, Chesterfield Township, Clinton Township, Dearborn, Detroit, Harper Woods, Harrison Township, Melvindale, Pittsfield Township, Romulus, Roseville, Saint Clair Shores, Taylor, Van Buren Township, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township

Distance (within metro area): 104.64 miles

Exit Guide (coming soon)

Interesctions: I-75, I-96, I-275, I-696, US-12 (2), US-23 US-24, M-1, M-3, M-10, M-14, M-17, M-19, M-29, M-39, M-52, M-53, M-59, M-102, M-153, BL I-94, Old BS I-96, BUS US-12

Points of Interest: Belle Isle Aquarium and Conservatory (2 miles), Detroit Metropolitan-Wayne County Airport, Eastern Market (1 mile), Eastern Michigan University (1 mile), Edsel Ford House, (1.5 miles), Ford Motor Company (1 mile), Fort Wayne (2.5 miles), The Henry Ford (1.5 miles), Metro Beach Metropark (2 miles), Orchestra Place (1 mile), Rouge Plant, Selfridge ANG/AFB, University of Michigan (2.5 miles), Wayne State University

More Information / Beyond Detroit: The I-94 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

A primary east-west roadway connecting Downtown Detroit with Livonia and Canton, it currently follows an alignment different than its original intent. The alignment from the Davison Freeway to Downtown was the predetermined alignment for Interstate 96 during the original planning of Detroit. By 1965, the alignment for the proposed Interstate 96 was shifted to relieve Plymouth Road and duplex with Interstate 275 to the already constructed alignment. The bypass around Farmington would remain US-16 (later, M-102 and currently M-5). Also of note, from the Interchange with the Davison Freeway to the Southfield Freeway, Interstate 96 is has Express and Local lanes. This is the only such freeway in Michigan at the present time. The reason: the traffic from the proposed Davison Freeway would continue to the Southfield Freeway connecting the East side to Dearborn and Livonia. Today, this connection is served by M-8, but not a freeway, which is arguably needed.

Counties: Livingston, Oakland, Wayne

Communities: Brighton, Brighton Township, Detroit, Farmington Hills, Genoa Township, Green Oak Township, Howell, Howell Township, Livonia, Lyon Township, New Hudson, Novi, Plymouth Township, Redford, Wixom

Distance (within metro area): 63.73 miles

Exit Guide (coming soon)

Interesctions: I-75, I-94, I-275, I-696, US-12, US-23 US-24, M-1, M-5, M-10, M-14, M-39, M-59, BL I-96, Old Bus I-96, D-19, Ambassador Bridge

Points of Interest: Downtown Attractions (1 mile), Huron Meadows Metropark (1 mile), Kensington Metropark, Mexicantown (1 mile), Schoolcraft College, University of Detroit Mercy (2 miles)

Termini: I-96 has its Eastern Terminus at I-75 and the Ambassador Bridge. Explore this more at Dan Garnell's wonderful "Michigan Highway Ends" Page.

More Information / Travel Beyond Detroit: The I-96 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

Originally planned as Interstate 73, and a continuous highway from near Monroe to near Andersonville, Interstate 275 has undergone little change along its southern alignment and significant change in Oakland County. One such change was total cancellation of the project in the mid-1980s. Currently, Interstate 275 terminates at Interstate 696. However, one mystery has been the duplexing of Interstates 96 and 275 for a significant portion. Michigan, a state that tries to avoid duplexing routes, has cosigned the two routes for more than 40 years. Obviously, the cosigning was originally intended to carry Interstate 275 to its cancelled portion. I wrote to MDOT in 2000 asking about Interstate 275. The response was simple: Interstate 275 passing through Commerce Township and White Lake Township will not happen. All plans have been entirely cancelled. The M-5 corridor was eventually built in the predetermined ROW, but is a commuter route, extending only to Pontiac Trail.

Counties: Monroe, Oakland, Wayne

Communities: Ash Township, Canton, Farmington Hills, Huron Township, Livonia, (Novi,) Plymouth Township, Romulus, Van Buren Township

Distance (within metro area): 37.92 miles (7.41 miles officially duplexed with Interstate 96)
      *length of highway is disputed

Exit Guide (coming soon)

Interesctions: I-75, I-94, I-96, I-696, US 12, M-5, M-14, M-153
      (I-75 is intersected on the border of Berlin Township and Frenchtown Township.)

Points of Interest: Lower Huron Metropark (1 mile), Oakwoods Metropark (1 mile), Schoolcraft College, Willow Metropark

Termini: I-275 has its Northern Terminus at I-96, I-696 and M-5. Explore this more at Dan Garnell's wonderful "Michigan Highway Ends" Page.

More Information: The I-275 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

The shortest signed Interstate Highway, I-375 functions as a connection between the Downtown Riverfront and the Freeway system. To my understanding, it was originally planned to be I-75, but due to the proximity of the Detroit River, the continuation of I-75 was relocated to the Vernor Highway/Montcalm Street alignment. It currently connects Jefferson Avenue (including the Renaissance Center) to I-75. It features a rare left entrance/exit ramp at Madison and a significant chokepoint at its junction with Jefferson Avenue. There are currently studies to improve access to the East Riverfront from I-375 and also to improve the junction with Jefferson Avenue.

Counties: Wayne

Communities: Detroit

Distance: 1.15 miles (according to MDOT), 1.06 (according to the FHWA)

Exit Guide (coming soon)

Interesctions: I-75, BS I-375, M-3

Map: Downtown Detroit, Michigan Department of Transportation

Termini: I-375 has its Northern Terminus at I-75 and the Southern at Bus I-375 near Jefferson and Randolph Avenues. Explore this more at Dan Garnell's wonderful "Michigan Highway Ends" Page.

More Information: The I-375 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

An East-West Freeway with possibly the most complex history of any in the Metropolitan Area. According to an MDOT planning map, I-696 was originally slated to be I-98 and most likely along the Eight Mile Road alignment between I-73 and I-77 (modern I-94). Finished in sections and at different times, it was a center of controversy through Oakland County. In fact it took almost twenty years and four alignment changes to complete the section between Interstate 75 and the Mixing Bowl (US-24/M-10). Currently, it follows Eleven Mile Road most closely, though it is also along the Ten Mile and Eleven and Half Mile Road alignments. One of the most important communter freeways in the area, it connects Southfield and Farmington Hills with the East Side.

Counties: Macomb, Oakland

Communities: Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Novi, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Roseville, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Saint Clair Shores, Southfield, Warren

Distance: 28.66 miles (according to MDOT), 29.39 (according to the FHWA)

Exit Guide (coming soon)

Interesctions: I-75, I-94, I-96, I-275, US-24, M-1, M-3, M-5, M-10, M-53, M-97

Points of Interest: Downtown Royal Oak, General Motors Tech Center, Lake Saint Clair (1.5 miles)

Termini: I-696 has its Western Terminus at I-96, I-275, and M-5 and its Eastern Terminus at I-94. Explore this more at Dan Garnell's wonderful "Michigan Highway Ends" Page.

More Information: The I-696 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

This Business Loop traces many of the old routes which existed in Pontiac through the decades. The Square Lake Road portion was originally M-58, Woodward Avenue was US-10 and Perry Street was M-24 and Business M-24. The loop does not recieve nearly the traffic it once did, and proposals have been to scale the 8 lane section of Woodward between Square Lake and the downtown loop back to 4 or 6.

Counties: Oakland

Communities: Auburn Hills, Pontiac

Distance: 11 miles (approximation due to Woodward Loop)

Interesctions: I-75, Bus US-24, M-1, M-59

Termini: Business I-75 has its Southern Terminus at I-75 and its Northern Terminus at I-75 and M-24. Explore this more at Dan Garnell's wonderful "Michigan Highway Ends" Page.

More Information: The Business I-75 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

Replacing much of old US-12 through Ann Arbor, this route serves as a connection between US-23 (and ultimately I-94) toward Ypsilanti and I-94 toward Jackson. Much of the roadway is managed by the City of Ann Arbor under contract, according to an MDOT source. As a result, the signage is poor, and the pavement needs some attention. This route is also duplexed with Bus US-23 for 4.2 miles and with US-23 for 2 miles. The remaining portion of BL I-94 is a possible candidate to be returned to local control.

Counties: Washtenaw

Communities: Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township, Scio Township

Distance: 8.79 miles (only 2.54 miles independently)

Interesctions: I-94, US-23, Bus US-23, M-17

Points of Interest: Downtown Ann Arbor, Univeristy of Michigan

Termini: Business I-94 has its Western Terminus at I-94 and its Eastern Terminus at I-94 and US-23. Explore this more at Dan Garnell's wonderful "Michigan Highway Ends" Page.

More Information: The Business I-94 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

Acting as a continuation of and possibly duplexed with M-5, Business I-96 remains a relic of numerous former routes which traveresed the streets of Detroit. Originally US-16, Business I-96 was created when the former route was decomissioned. Originally only extending from its junction with I-96 just west of Davison Avenue (current M-8). The road remains unsigned today, though it is unclear if it was truly ever signed as Business I-96. On MDOT maps it is easy to mistaken this route as an extension of M-5, but is it really M-5? The MDOT Control Section Maps indicate that Grand River is M-5 all the way into downtown. No indication of Business I-96 exists anywhere on these documents. Some believe that this portion of Grand River Avenue is slated to be given to local control: namely the City of Detroit and Wayne County. In fact, as almost all of the routes downtown, it ends in a stub. This particular route ends at Cass Avenue.

Counties: Wayne

Communities: Detroit

Distance: 8.5-9.0 miles

Interesctions: I-75, I-94, I-96, M-5, M-10

BL I-96 is a loop which replaces US-16 through Howell and connects Grand River Avenue with I-96. There are two very interesting features of this route. First, the route features a speed limit of no greater than 20 mph or 25 mph for almost 3 miles. Secondly, the eastern interchange with I-96 is only one-directional. As a result the booming commerical areas in Geona Township and in southeastern Howell cannot be accessed by locations west without using BL I-96. Currently, there are no plans to alter this interchange.

Counties: Livingston

Communities: Genoa Township, Howell, Howell Township, Osceola Township

Distance: 8.15 miles

Interesctions: I-96, M-59, M-155, D-19

Termini: Business Loop I-96 has its Eastern Terminus at I-96 its western Terminus at I-96 and M-59. Explore this more at Dan Garnell's wonderful "Michigan Highway Ends" Page.

More Information: The Business I-96 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.

To my knowledge, the shortest route in the state of Michigan, Business Route I-375 connects I-375 to the junction of M-3 and M-10 at Jefferson and Randolph in Downtown Detroit. Due to the short length of the route it is not signed. The very existence of this highway sparks one question: Why this highway was never absorbed into M-10?

Counties: Wayne

Communities: Detroit

Distance: 0.015 miles

Interesctions: I-375, M-3, M-10

More Information: The Business I-375 Listing on Chris Bessert's excellent Michigan Highways Page.