Origin
Dearborn, MI
Evening in Dearborn on Thursday
Local time
5:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dearborn, MI to Dryden, MI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
58.8 mi
95 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 21m
8 AM
1h 34m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 26m
5 PM
1h 33m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dearborn, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Dryden, MI
Roberto Gonzalez
Trip Overview
This 58.8-mile drive from Dearborn, MI to Dryden, MI is a manageable 1-hour and 21-minute trip, perfect for a single day's adventure within the Midwest region. With an estimated fuel cost of $9, it's an economical choice for a quick getaway. The route primarily utilizes M 53, North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, and Edsel Ford Freeway, offering a familiar driving experience. Given its short duration, you won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for a flexible schedule. This journey is straightforward and efficient, making it an easy addition to your travel plans.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 58.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive offers a mixed profile, with 39% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches on M 53, which can feel like a more direct, faster-paced road, interspersed with freeway sections. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 24.2 miles on M 53, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip. As you progress, expect a transition from urban freeway environments to potentially more open, rural settings as you head north. It's not an entirely monotonous drive, but rather a blend of efficient travel and the changing character of Michigan roadways.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
M 53 is the longest continuous segment at about 24.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 21.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese 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
7
21.3 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Take the exit toward Rochester Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 67
Toward Rochester Road
6
21.7 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
Rochester Road
Turn right onto Rochester Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
29.4 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
M 53
Keep slight right at fork onto M 53 toward M 53 North: Imlay City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward M 53 North: Imlay City
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 Dryden, MI, road signs point toward Toledo and M 53 North: Imlay City.
Toledo
6.8 mi in
|
~10m
M 53 North: Imlay City
29.4 mi in
|
~40m
|
via M 53
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| M 53 | 24.2 mi | 30m |
| North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 14 mi | 15m |
| Edsel Ford Freeway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| Dryden Road | 3.3 mi | 8m |
| Metropolitan Parkway | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Van Dyke Avenue | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| East Big Beaver Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| North Van Dyke Road | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
M 53
— 24.2 mi, about 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Dryden, 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
14 mi
·
15 min
·
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
1 min
Exit 67
Toward Rochester Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto Rochester Road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Rochester Road
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto East Big Beaver Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
East Big Beaver Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Metropolitan Parkway
12
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Metropolitan Parkway
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto M 53
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Van Dyke Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto M 53
24 mi
·
30 min
·
M 53
Toward M 53 North: Imlay City
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto M 53
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Van Dyke Road
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto Dryden Road
3.3 mi
·
8 min
·
Dryden Road
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on East Main Street
526 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Main Street
18
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.4 mi from Dearborn, MI · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 13 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.4 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dryden, MI
The final approach into Dryden, 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
$9.19 one way
$18.39 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.09 | $20.19 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.32 | $22.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.98 | $25.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.17 | $2.82 |
| Efficient EV | 14.7 | 0 | $5.15 | $2.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.5 | 0 | $8.23 | $3.76 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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
Dryden, MI
Evening in Dryden on Thursday
Local time
5:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°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
19 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
1h 21m 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 Dearborn, MI to Dryden, MI covers 58.8 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are M 53, North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, Edsel Ford Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.4 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 $9.19 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 58.8 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 21.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Dearborn, MI and Dryden, MI, road signs point toward Toledo and M 53 North: Imlay City.
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