East Lansing to Detroit bus
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Journey Information
There are 6 intercity buses per day from East Lansing to Detroit. Traveling by bus from East Lansing to Detroit usually takes around 3 hours and 1 minute, but the fastest Indian Trails bus can make the trip in 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Distance | 78 mi (126 km) |
Shortest duration | 2h 50m |
Cheapest price | $19.00 |
Trips per day | 6 |
Most frequent service | Indian Trails |
Bus lines | 1 |
Price trends for buses from East Lansing to Detroit
Average prices by travel date
Monthly average prices
What bus companies travel from East Lansing to Detroit?
There is one intercity bus company available to search and book on Wanderu that operates from East Lansing to Detroit. Indian Trails connects the two cities by bus, it offers multiple scheduled buses per day for you to choose from.
Bus | Daily Trips | Avg. Time | Avg. Price |
---|---|---|---|
Indian Trails | 6 | 3h 1m | $19.99 |
Book Indian Trails from East Lansing to Detroit from $19. There are 6 trips per day offered by Indian Trails from East Lansing to Detroit and you can expect on average to pay for a Indian Trails ticket to Detroit. In East Lansing, Indian Trails departs to Detroit from 1240 S. Harrison and one other station. In Detroit, Indian Trails arrives at Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St .
An average trip on Indian Trails from East Lansing to Detroit takes 3 hours and 1 minutes , while the fastest available Indian Trails trip will get you to Detroit in 2 hours and 50 minutes .
On weekends, Indian Trails offers 6 trips per day. A one way ticket costs for a weekend trip to Detroit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our bus partners have implemented several different policies to keep you safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. From limiting vehicle capacity to enhancing cleaning protocols and upgrading air filters, bus carriers are committed to maintaining a safe environment. For details on what each company is doing to ensure their fleet remains safe for travel, click here.
Although masks are no longer required on public transportation, we stand behind CDC guidelines that encourage passengers to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while on the bus or in stations.
Please visit our COVID-19 Travel Guide for more information on all carrier policies and the latest travel advisories issued by every U.S. state, Canadian province, and European country.
The bus takes an average of 3 hours to cover the 78 miles from East Lansing to Detroit. However, the fastest bus only takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to take a nap, get some work done, or watch a movie. Keep in mind that your actual bus may arrive earlier or later than scheduled, depending on whether there is more or less traffic than usual.
Tuesday is usually the day of the week when buses are busiest. If you are planning to travel on a Tuesday, you should make sure to book tickets well in advance as they may sell out.
On the other hand, Monday is typically the least busy day for bus travel on this route. For a less crowded trip, try to book your bus travel for the beginning of the week.
The first bus leaves at 1:00pm and the last bus leaves at 5:00pm. To see the times for all buses from East Lansing to Detroit, enter your specific travel dates in the search bar.
There are 6 scheduled buses that travel from East Lansing to Detroit every day, so you have a decent number of options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these are direct buses which you can take the entire route from East Lansing to Detroit without transferring.
Need more travel options? Consider taking the train from East Lansing to Detroit; ticket prices start at $38.50.
City Information
East Lansing
East Lansing, a city shockingly located just east of Lansing, is primarily known as the home of Michigan State University. In fact, around half of its population is composed of students, and some of the city's most visited attractions are situated on the college campus. Among them are the historic W. J. Beal Botanical Garden, the 104-foot-tall Beaumont Tower, the contemporary Broad Art Museum, and the renowned Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Aside from its vibrant college life, East Lansing is also known for its yearly events, such as The East Lansing Film Festival, the largest of its kind in the entire state.
Lake Lansing is a go-to for swimming, fishing, or just getting some fresh air, but you'll also find parks and golf courses all around the city. The tree-lined Grand River Avenue divides the MSU campus from the rest of the city; find some of the city's best shopping and dining in the Grand River area, including HopCat, Beggar's Banquet, and Barrio East Lansing.
Public transit buses connect East Lansing to the closest airport, the Capital Region International Airport. However, it's also easy to take an intercity bus to nearby travel hubs, Detroit and Chicago, by booking a ticket with Greyhound, Indian Trails, or Jefferson Lines. East Lansing is a stop on Amtrak's Blue Water line, which makes train travel in and out of the city a breeze.
Detroit



Often stigmatized as a dead city, Detroit is making a huge comeback, and it is fast becoming a hidden gem among travelers. Your first stop should be at the Detroit Institute of Art, the city’s foremost cultural destination. Featuring more than 100 galleries with artworks from masters such as Van Gogh or Diego Rivera, the museum offers tourists hours of artistic immersion and enjoyment. For those wishing to learn more about the history of Motown or Black American communities, the city’s Motown Museum and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History will be top-tier destinations. Finally, don’t miss out on the chance to catch a performance at the lavish Fox Theater, a national landmark.
As Detroit is the birthplace of Coney dog, it would be a huge miss if you pass up the chance to try out this masterpiece. One of the locals’ favorite Coney dog establishments is Lafayette Coney Island. Detroit’s craft beer scene is also quite lively, and some famous local brands include Batch Brewing Company and Detroit Beer Co.
The principal bus terminal in the city is on Howard St, where travelers can catch buses run by Greyhound, Indian Trails or Barons Bus. You can also catch Amtrak trains at the train station in New Center, north of downtown Detroit. Detroit is served by Amtrak’s Wolverine line. The city’s main airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which is located in nearby Romulus.
Station Information
Where does the bus leave from in East Lansing?
Main departure station: East Lansing (Michigan Flyer)
East Lansing has two bus stations with service to Detroit.
All bus stations in East Lansing:
East Lansing (Michigan Flyer)
1240 S. Harrison
Where does the bus arrive in Detroit?

Image credit: Dane
Link to image attributionMain arrival station: Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St
Located near hip Corktown, the Detroit Greyhound Bus Station is minutes away from local breweries, diverse restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife. Besides Greyhound, many other bus carriers serve this station, including Indian Trails, Barons Bus Lines, Miller Transportation, and Jefferson Lines. For travelers’ convenience, the station offers massive parking lots, clean restrooms, and lockers to rent. The station is a short walk from several local bus stops, and about a 15 minute walk from the closest light rail station to connect to neighborhoods throughout Detroit.
All bus stations in Detroit:
Bus Terminal - 1001 Howard St
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