The drive from Dearborn, MI to Suttons Bay, MI covers 276.5 miles and takes about 5h 23m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, M 72 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 142.5 miles on I 75.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.23 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
138.3 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 30m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 276.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 23m highway drive covering 276.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 142.5 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 142.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and North Walter P. Chrysler 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 276.5 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 20 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
6
259.9 mi into trip|~4h 57m in|South Union Street
Turn right onto South Union Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Suttons Bay, MI, road signs point toward M 72: Downtown Grayling and Traverse City.
M 72: Downtown Grayling
207.4 mi in|~3h 39m|via BL I 75
Traverse City
207.4 mi in|~3h 39m|via BL I 75
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
142.5 mi
2h 26m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
57.6 mi
1h 1m
M 72
24.4 mi
33m
South West Bay Shore Drive
14.8 mi
21m
East M 72
8.4 mi
11m
M-72 West
7.7 mi
10m
Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi
7m
US 31 North
3.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 142.5 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Suttons Bay, 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
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
52 mi·56 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
63 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 75; US 23
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
27 mi·27 min·I 75
11
Take the exit onto BL I 75
1.8 mi·4 min·BL I 75
Toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City
12
Turn left onto M 72; M 93
24 mi·33 min·M 72; M 93
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 131; M 72; M 66
2.0 mi·3 min·South Cedar Street
14
Turn left onto M 72
1.0 mi·1 min·West Mile Road Northwest
15
Continue on M 72
7.7 mi·10 min·M-72 West
16
Continue on M 72
7.2 mi·9 min·East M 72
17
Enter roundabout onto M 72
116 ft·1 sec·East M 72
18
Continue on M 72
0.4 mi·46 sec·East M 72
19
Enter roundabout onto M 72
88 ft·3 sec·East M 72
20
Continue on M 72
0.8 mi·1 min·East M 72
21
Turn left onto US 31; M 72
3.8 mi·6 min·US 31 North
22
Continue on US 31; M 72
1.2 mi·2 min·Munson Avenue
23
Turn left onto East Eighth Street
2.2 mi·4 min·East Eighth Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto South Union Street
0.4 mi·57 sec·South Union Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto US 31; M 37; M 72
1.1 mi·2 min·West Grandview Parkway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on M 22
15 mi·21 min·South West Bay Shore Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Continue on M 22
442 ft·14 sec·North Saint Josephs Avenue
28
Turn right onto East Madison Street
166 ft·10 sec·East Madison Street
29
Turn left onto North Front Street
339 ft·14 sec·North Front Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Front 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 138.3 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 142.5 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 61 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 miles or 2h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Suttons Bay, 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 276.5 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 I 75 for about 142.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.3 mi from Dearborn, MI
· 2h 30m into the drive
The midpoint is around 138.3 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 142.5 miles.
Arriving in Suttons Bay, MI
The final approach into Suttons Bay, 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 Suttons Bay, MI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacula...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
$25
near mile 276.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.23 one way
$86.46 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$47.46
$94.92
premium
$4.89
$53.21
$106.42
diesel
$5.61
$61.05
$122.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83
1
$29.03
$13.27
Efficient EV
69.1
0
$24.19
$11.06
EV Truck/SUV
110.6
1
$38.71
$17.70
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Dearborn, MI
Afternoon
in Dearborn on Thursday
Local time
3:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Suttons Bay, MI
Afternoon
in Suttons Bay on Thursday
Local time
3:21 PM
EDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
61°F
West Branch, MI
138 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 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 23m 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 Suttons Bay, MI covers 276.5 miles and takes about 5h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, M 72. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.3 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 $43.23 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 20 significant decision points across 276.5 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 Suttons Bay, MI, road signs point toward M 72: Downtown Grayling and Traverse City.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
