Origin
Dearborn, MI
Evening in Dearborn on Sunday
Local time
6:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
1h 39m
Distance
89.5 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dearborn, MI
fish socks
Albion, MI
Wolrider YURTSEVEN
If you are planning a quick getaway within the Midwest, the 89.5-mile journey from Dearborn to Albion is a straightforward trip that fits perfectly into a single day. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 39 minutes on the road, making it an ideal choice if you prefer avoiding long, multi-day hauls. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains consistent across the Michigan landscape. Because this route is highly efficient, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations unless you choose to extend your stay. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection between two Michigan locales that prioritizes speed and reliability over wandering detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
44.8 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
This trip is defined by its efficiency, as 94% of the journey takes place on high-speed roadways. You will spend the vast majority of your time—roughly 84 miles—navigating the Detroit Industrial Expressway, which serves as the primary artery for your transit. While you will transition through segments of Schaefer Road and East Michigan Avenue, the experience is largely a highway-focused drive. You can expect a consistent pace throughout the trip, free from the complexity of technical local roads or winding secondary highways. It is a functional, direct drive that allows you to focus on the road ahead without the need for constant navigation changes.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Detroit Industrial Expressway and East Michigan Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Schaefer Road.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 39m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Schaefer Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto I 94 BL toward BL I 94, M 99: Springport, Albion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Industrial Expressway | 84 mi | 1h 30m |
| East Michigan Avenue | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| Schaefer Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Eaton Rapids Road | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| I 94 BL | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Superior Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Michigan Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| South Superior Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Albion, MI.
Start on US 12
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
Take the exit onto I 94 BL
Continue on I 94 BL; M 99
Continue on I 94 BL; M 99
Turn left onto M 99
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid potential traffic congestion. You can comfortably complete the entire 89.5-mile stretch without needing any scheduled stops, though keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is wise despite the modest $14 cost. Because the longest stretch is a substantial 84 miles on the Detroit Industrial Expressway, ensure your vehicle is ready for a sustained high-speed run before you head out. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival in Albion for a specific time, as the predictable duration makes scheduling easy. Staying alert during that long highway stretch is your best strategy for a smooth arrival.
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.8 miles or 50m 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 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Albion, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dearborn, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dearborn, MI
This is one driving day of about 89.5 miles and 1h 39m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.8 mi from Dearborn, MI · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 44.8 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Detroit Industrial Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84 miles.
The final approach into Albion, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Albion, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$13.59 one way
$27.19 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $14.99 | $29.97 |
| premium | $4.80 | $16.90 | $33.79 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.88 | $39.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.40 | $4.30 |
| Efficient EV | 22.4 | 0 | $7.83 | $3.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.8 | 0 | $12.53 | $5.73 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Dearborn on Sunday
Local time
6:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Destination
Evening in Albion on Sunday
Local time
6:43 PM
EDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Dearborn, MI or browse trips ending in Albion, MI.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.
Explore maps for Dearborn, MI or Albion, MI on MapSof.net.