Interstate 696

Interstate 696 (I-696) is an intrastate Interstate Highway entirely within the US state of Michigan. I-696 is also known as the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, named for a prominent figure in early automobile factory labor union activity. I-696 is a spur route, partially circling the city of Detroit, but traveling entirely through Detroit's northern suburbs. It starts by branching off of Interstate 96 and Interstate 275 at the west end and ends by merging into Interstate 94 on the east end. It has 6–8 lanes for most of its length and is approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of downtown Detroit. It is a major morning and evening commute route, bringing many people living west of Detroit into the suburbs north of the city and into downtown Detroit via other Michigan highways such as M-10 ("The Lodge" freeway) and M-39 (The Southfield freeway). Some local residents affectionately call this freeway "The Autobahn of Detroit."