Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 27m
Distance
237.1 mi
382 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dearborn, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Fife Lake, MI
Oriel Frankie Ashcroft
The drive from Dearborn, MI to Fife Lake, MI covers 237.1 miles and takes about 4h 27m 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, I 75 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 $37.07 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
118.6 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 27m. Total distance: 237.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This is a 4h 27m highway drive covering 237.1 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.
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 237.1 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.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto M 55 toward US 31 North, M 55 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dearborn, MI and Fife Lake, MI, road signs point toward To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac, M 115: Cadillac and M 55 East.
To M 115: Ludington
Cadillac
M 115: Cadillac
M 55 East
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 57.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| US 10 | 56.9 mi | 56m |
| I 75 | 51.3 mi | 54m |
| Cadillac Drive | 34.5 mi | 47m |
| M 55 | 23.3 mi | 25m |
| Edsel Ford Freeway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| US 131 | 5 mi | 6m |
| West State Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Fife Lake, MI.
Start on US 12
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 94
Continue on I 94
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Take the exit
Continue on US 10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
Take the exit onto US 10
Take the exit
Turn right onto M 115
Take the exit onto M 55
Continue on US 131
Continue on West State Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 52 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.6 miles or 2h 11m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fife Lake, 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 237.1 miles and 4h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.6 mi from Dearborn, MI · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 118.6 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Fife 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 Fife Lake, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$37.07 one way
$74.14 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $40.70 | $81.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $45.63 | $91.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.35 | $104.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.90 | $11.38 |
| Efficient EV | 59.3 | 0 | $20.75 | $9.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.19 | $15.17 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Dearborn on Thursday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Afternoon in Fife Lake on Thursday
Local time
3:00 PM
EDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
46°F
Nelson, MI
119 mi in
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
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.
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