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Trip from Dearborn, MI to Bear Lake, MI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

5h 3m

Distance

252.7 mi

407 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 50m ★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 13m
12 PM
5h 11m
3 PM
5h 15m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 56m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Wayne County, Michigan, USA

Dearborn, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Bear Lake, MI, MI

Bear Lake, MI

Zach LeBlanc

Trip Overview

The drive from Dearborn, MI to Bear Lake, MI covers 252.7 miles and takes about 5h 3m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, US 10, Cadillac Drive for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 57.6 miles on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $39.51 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

126.3 miles from Dearborn, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 3m. Total distance: 252.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 3m highway drive covering 252.7 miles, with most of the trip on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and US 10. The longest continuous stretch is about 57.6 miles on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 57.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 252.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
6.8 mi into trip | ~10m in

Take the exit toward I 75: Flint, Toledo

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 216A Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
7
6.8 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 75 North: Flint
5
7.3 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

Merge onto I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
64.9 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in | I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 75: Saginaw
5
116.1 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 10 West: Midland

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Dearborn, MI and Bear Lake, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.

To M 115: Ludington

165.7 mi in | ~2h 58m | via US 10

Cadillac

165.7 mi in | ~2h 58m | via US 10

M 115: Cadillac

173.2 mi in | ~3h 5m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 57.6 mi 1h 1m
US 10 56.9 mi 56m
Cadillac Drive 55.3 mi 1h 16m
I 75 51.3 mi 54m
Thirteen Mile Road 15.4 mi 28m
West M-115 Highway 5.8 mi 7m
Edsel Ford Freeway 5.6 mi 7m
Lake Street 1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway — 57.6 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Bear Lake, MI.

1

Start on US 12

0.6 mi · 1 min · Michigan Avenue
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
3

Merge onto I 94

0.3 mi · 23 sec · Detroit Industrial Expressway
4

Continue on I 94

5.6 mi · 7 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

302 ft · 5 sec
Exit 216A Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the slight left lane.
7

Merge onto I 75

58 mi · 1 hr 1 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

51 mi · 54 min · I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Exit 162B Toward US 10 West: Midland
10

Continue on US 10

11 mi · 11 min · US 10
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 10

38 mi · 38 min · US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
12

Take the exit onto US 10

7.6 mi · 7 min · US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
13

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward M 115: Cadillac
14

Turn right onto M 115

55 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Cadillac Drive
15

Enter roundabout onto M 37; M 115

129 ft · 1 sec · West M-115 Highway
16

Continue on M 37; M 115

0.5 mi · 50 sec · West M-115 Highway
17

Continue on M 37; M 115

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Mesick Avenue
18

Continue on M 115

5.3 mi · 6 min · West M-115 Highway
19

Turn left onto Harlan Road

0.5 mi · 1 min · Harlan Road
20

Turn right onto CR 600

15 mi · 28 min · Thirteen Mile Road
21

Turn left onto US 31

1.0 mi · 2 min · Lake Street
22

Turn left onto Virginia Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · Virginia Street
23

Turn right onto Stuart Street

525 ft · 23 sec · Stuart Street
24

Arrive at destination

Stuart Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 126.3 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 miles.

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 56 miles or 1h 3m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 126.3 miles or 2h 18m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bear Lake, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 252.7 miles and 5h 3m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Dearborn, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for about 57.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 126.3 mi from Dearborn, MI · 2h 18m into the drive

Downtown Freeland, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Freeland, MI

126 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

Holly, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Freeland, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 126.3 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Bear Lake, MI

The final approach into Bear Lake, 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 Bear Lake, MI.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.51 one way

$79.01 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 88 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $43.38 $86.75
premium $4.89 $48.63 $97.26
diesel $5.61 $55.79 $111.59

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 75.8 0 $26.53 $12.13
Efficient EV 63.2 0 $22.11 $10.11
EV Truck/SUV 101.1 1 $35.38 $16.17

Gas CO2

88 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Dearborn, MI

Evening in Dearborn on Thursday

Local time

5:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

WSW 10 to 14 mph 76% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:16PM CDT by NWS Marquette MI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 16 at 12:16PM CDT until April 23 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Marquette MI

Destination

Bear Lake, MI

Evening in Bear Lake on Thursday

Local time

5:48 PM

EDT

Current temp

37°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

37 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 3m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dearborn, MI to Bear Lake, MI covers 252.7 miles and takes about 5h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, US 10, Cadillac Drive. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126.3 miles from Dearborn, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.51 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 252.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Dearborn, MI and Bear Lake, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.

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Bear Lake, MI to Dearborn, MI

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