This straightforward 46.1-mile drive from Dearborn to Clarkston, Michigan, will take you about 54 minutes, making it an easy day trip. The route primarily utilizes the North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and the Edsel Ford Freeway, offering a direct path through the Midwest. With a projected fuel cost of around $7, this trip is quite budget-friendly. The drive is focused on efficient travel, so don't expect extensive scenic detours. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B within the state without needing an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 54m. Total distance: 46.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this drive, with 94% of the journey taking place on freeways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 37.5 miles on the North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, allowing for a steady pace. The route transitions from the North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway to the Edsel Ford Freeway before concluding on North Main Street. While largely a freeway cruise, the final segment on North Main Street might offer a slight change of pace as you approach your destination in Clarkston.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 12 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 37.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and Edsel Ford Freeway. 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 Effort7/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 46.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 54m.
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 44.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
8
44.8 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward M 15: Clarkston, Davison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 91
Toward M 15: Clarkston, Davison
6
45.2 mi into trip|~52m in|M 15 / Ortonville Road
Turn left onto M 15 / Ortonville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
46 mi into trip|~54m in|East Washington Street
Turn left onto East Washington Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Dearborn, MI to Clarkston, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Toledo along the way.
Toledo
6.8 mi in|~10m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
37.5 mi
40m
Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi
7m
North Main Street
0.7 mi
1m
Michigan Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Detroit Industrial Expressway
0.3 mi
<1m
Ortonville Road
0.1 mi
<1m
East Washington Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
— 37.5 mi, about 40m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Clarkston, 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 216AToward I 75: Flint, ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: FlintUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 75
38 mi·40 min·North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 91Toward M 15: Clarkston, DavisonUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn left onto M 15
0.1 mi·15 sec·Ortonville Road
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on M 15
0.7 mi·1 min·North Main Street
11
Turn left onto East Washington Street
84 ft·2 sec·East Washington Street
Use the left lane.
12
Arrive at destination
East Washington Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 23 mi from Dearborn, MI
· 28m into the drive
The midpoint is around 23 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Clarkston, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Clarkston, MI if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.21 one way
$14.41 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg16 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$7.91
$15.83
premium
$4.89
$8.87
$17.74
diesel
$5.61
$10.18
$20.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging
· 0 stops
· 69% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
13.8
0
$4.84
$2.21
Efficient EV
11.5
0
$4.03
$1.84
EV Truck/SUV
18.4
0
$6.45
$2.95
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Dearborn, MI
Evening
in Dearborn on Thursday
Local time
6:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 13 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:21PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 16 at 1:53PM EDT until April 17 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Clarkston, MI
Evening
in Clarkston on Thursday
Local time
6:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
11 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
54m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Clarkston, MI covers 46.1 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, Edsel Ford Freeway, North Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 23 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 $7.21 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.
This is a short but busy drive. With 8 decision points packed into just 46.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 54m.
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 44.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dearborn, MI to Clarkston, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Toledo along the way.
