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Trip from Dearborn, MI to Ypsilanti, MI

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

33m

Distance

27.5 mi

44 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$4

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 8 min
4 AM
0h 31m ★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 39m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 36m
5 PM
0h 39m
8 PM
0h 32m

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

city in Wayne County, Michigan, USA

Dearborn, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Ypsilanti, MI, MI

Ypsilanti, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

The drive from Dearborn, MI to Ypsilanti, MI covers 27.5 miles and takes about 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Schaefer Road, I 94 West, Detroit Industrial Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.30 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

13.8 miles from Dearborn, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 33m drive with frequent turns across 27.5 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Schaefer Road is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Dearborn, MI to Ypsilanti, MI is easy. At 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dearborn, MI to Ypsilanti, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Schaefer Road
I 94 West
Detroit Industrial Expressway
US 12
South Huron Street
West Michigan Avenue

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Schaefer Road — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Michigan Avenue

79 ft · 8 sec · Michigan Avenue
2

Turn right onto Schaefer Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Schaefer Road
3

Take the ramp right

0.2 mi · 30 sec
4

Keep slight left to continue on I 94 West: Chicago

0.3 mi · 43 sec · I 94 West: Chicago
5

Merge slight left onto Detroit Industrial Expressway

16 mi · 17 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
6

Keep slight right to continue on Detroit Industrial Expressway

7.9 mi · 8 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
7

Take the exit slight right toward US 12 Business: Huron Street, Downtown, Ypsilanti

0.3 mi · 50 sec · US 12 Business: Huron Street, Downtown, Ypsilanti
8

Turn right onto South Huron Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · South Huron Street
9

Turn right onto West Michigan Avenue

194 ft · 33 sec · West Michigan Avenue
10

Continue on West Michigan Avenue

164 ft · 5 sec · West Michigan Avenue
11

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 13.8 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 16m into the drive.

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 27.5 miles or 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 13.8 miles or 16m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 28m

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

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Dearborn, MI.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dearborn, MI

This is one driving day of about 27.5 miles and 33m.

At 27.5 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 13.8 mi from Dearborn, MI · 16m into the drive

Pacing Suggestions

Denton, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 27.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Taylor, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 13.8 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Ypsilanti, MI

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Ypsilanti, 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

$4.30 one way

$8.60 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 10 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $4.72 $9.44
premium $4.89 $5.29 $10.58
diesel $5.61 $6.07 $12.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$4

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$29–$54

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 9.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 8.3 0 $2.89 $1.32
Efficient EV 6.9 0 $2.41 $1.10
EV Truck/SUV 11 0 $3.85 $1.76

Gas CO2

10 kg

EV CO2

3 kg (70% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Dearborn, MI

Late night in Dearborn on Thursday

Local time

2:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Ypsilanti, MI

Late night in Ypsilanti on Thursday

Local time

2:04 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

14 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

33m 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 Ypsilanti, MI covers 27.5 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Schaefer Road, I 94 West, Detroit Industrial Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.8 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 $4.30 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.
The drive from Dearborn, MI to Ypsilanti, MI is easy. At 33m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Dearborn, MI to Ypsilanti, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Dearborn, MI to Ypsilanti, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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