<P> The Woodward Dream Cruise event is a classic car event held annually on the third Saturday of August in Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, along Woodward Avenue, a major thoroughfare built in the early 20th century . The WDC Event spans much of the avenue: drivers travel from the suburbs of Pontiac through Ferndale in Oakland County, Michigan, to the State Fair Grounds within the Detroit city limits, just south of 8 Mile Road . An estimated one million spectators attended the 2009 Woodward Dream Cruise . </P> <P> Starting in 1848, when the roadway was converted from logs to planks, young carriage drivers would race along Woodward Avenue . Woodward Avenue was developed as a major street in Detroit in the early 20th century, and was lined with mansions and major churches . </P> <P> By 1958, the roadway was used by youth for unofficial street racing with cars . The wide width, median, and sections lacking a large commercial presence attracted drivers eager for the competition . The numerous drive - ins along the upper road, each with its dedicated local teenaged clientele, were also popular . In the age of the muscle car, Woodward had numerous car dealerships and automobile accessory shops . These completed the attractions for young adults to cruise, race and hang out along the road . </P> <P> The Woodward Dream Cruise is the world's largest one - day automotive event, drawing about 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars each year from around the globe . Spectators can see muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles dating across several decades . The majority of the cars on display are those that were available and popular during the 1950s, 60s and early 70s prior to the OPEC oil embargo . This had resulted in the federal government's Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations of 1975 and the proliferation, temporarily, of more fuel - efficient and less powerful automobiles . However, the Woodward Dream Cruise also welcomes vehicles of all models whose owners have either scrupulously maintained or customized their car to create a unique vehicle or statement . </P>

Where does the dream cruise start and end