Origin
Dayton, MI
Night in Dayton on Friday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dayton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
106 mi
171 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 57m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dayton, MI
fish socks
Ann Arbor, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Dayton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI covers 106 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Sanilac Road, Holland Avenue, South Gera Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.57 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53 miles from Dayton, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 106 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 53m drive with frequent turns across 106 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Sanilac Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Dayton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is easy. At 1h 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dayton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Sanilac Road | — | — |
| Holland Avenue | — | — |
| South Gera Road | — | — |
| North Main Street | — | — |
| Gera Road | — | — |
| Birch Run Road | — | — |
| Main Street | — | — |
| I 75 South | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East Sanilac Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dayton, MI and Ann Arbor, MI.
1
Start on South Hurds Corner Road
3.5 mi
·
13 min
·
South Hurds Corner Road
2
Turn right onto East Sanilac Road
21 mi
·
23 min
·
East Sanilac Road
3
Continue on Holland Avenue
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Holland Avenue
4
Turn left onto South Gera Road
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South Gera Road
5
Continue on North Main Street
2.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Main Street
6
Continue on Gera Road
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Gera Road
7
Turn right onto Birch Run Road
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Birch Run Road
8
Continue on Main Street
440 ft
·
17 sec
·
Main Street
9
Take the ramp left toward I 75 South, US 23
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 75 South, US 23
10
Merge slight left
9.9 mi
·
10 min
11
Keep slight left
11 mi
·
11 min
12
Keep slight right to continue on US 23: Ann Arbor
45 mi
·
48 min
·
US 23: Ann Arbor
13
Take the exit slight right toward M 14 West: Ann Arbor
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
M 14 West: Ann Arbor
14
Take the exit right toward US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 23 BUS: Downtown Ann Arbor
15
Turn left onto Depot Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Depot Street
16
Turn right
118 ft
·
7 sec
17
Continue on North State Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North State Street
18
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53 miles from Dayton, MI, or about 56m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 23 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53 miles or 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ann Arbor, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dayton, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dayton, MI
This is one driving day of about 106 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Dayton, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53 mi from Dayton, MI · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Arriving in Ann Arbor, MI
The final approach into Ann Arbor, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.57 one way
$33.14 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $18.20 | $36.39 |
| premium | $4.89 | $20.40 | $40.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.40 | $46.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.8 | 0 | $11.13 | $5.09 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.84 | $6.78 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Ann Arbor, MI
Night in Ann Arbor on Friday
Local time
10:34 PM
EDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 53m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dayton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI covers 106 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Sanilac Road, Holland Avenue, South Gera Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53 miles from Dayton, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.57 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Dayton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is easy. At 1h 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dayton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dayton, MI to Ann Arbor, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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