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Trip from Dearborn, MI to Iron Mountain, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 5m

Distance

490.3 mi

789 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$77

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
8h 57m ★
6 AM
9h 5m
8 AM
9h 22m
10 AM
9h 11m
12 PM
9h 9m
3 PM
9h 12m
5 PM
9h 21m
8 PM
9h 0m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Wayne County, Michigan, USA

Dearborn, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Iron Mountain, MI, MI

Iron Mountain, MI

Andrei Iusco

Trip Overview

The drive from Dearborn, MI to Iron Mountain, MI covers 490.3 miles and takes about 9h 5m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on I 75, US-2 West, North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 232.9 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $76.65 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

245.1 miles from Dearborn, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 19m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 75 232.9 mi 4h
US-2 West 135.3 mi 2h 41m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 57.6 mi 1h 1m
US 2 32.9 mi 38m
US 2 & 41 20.5 mi 25m
Edsel Ford Freeway 5.6 mi 7m
North Lincoln Road 2 mi 3m
Ludington Street 1.5 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 75 — 232.9 mi, about 4h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Iron Mountain, 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

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

118 mi · 2 hr 1 min · I 75
11

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 344B Toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
12

Merge onto US 2; I 75 BL

0.7 mi · 1 min · US-2 West
13

Continue on US 2

3.2 mi · 3 min · US 2
14

Continue on US 2

135 mi · 2 hr 40 min · US-2 West
15

Merge onto US 2; US 41; M 35

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Lincoln Road
16

Turn right onto US 2; US 41

1.5 mi · 1 min · Ludington Street
17

Continue on US 2; US 41

20 mi · 25 min · US 2 & 41
18

Turn right onto US 2

30 mi · 34 min · US 2
19

Turn left onto M 95

115 ft · 1 sec · East Ludington Street
20

Arrive at destination

M 95

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 245.1 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 4h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.9 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 108 miles or 1h 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 245.1 miles or 4h 19m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 245.1 miles or 4h 19m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 52m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Iron Mountain, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Dearborn, MI

Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Iron Mountain, MI

Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Dearborn, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 232.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Charlevoix County, Michigan, United States of America

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Boyne City, MI

245 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Boyne City, MI

Overnight Options

Night 1

Boyne City, MI

245 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Boyne City, MI after about 245 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Nelson, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boyne City, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 245.1 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 232.9 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 245 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Upper Crust Cafe Bakery & Deli

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manistique, Michigan

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 385.2

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+19063412253

Visit website

Cedar Street Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manistique, Michigan

0.2 mi

Mug Shots Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Rapid River, Michigan

2.8 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Haraz Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dearborn, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13134299888

Visit website

The Grind Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manistique, Michigan

0.4 mi

Contrast Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Iron Mountain, Michigan

0.6 mi

Upper Crust Cafe Bakery & Deli

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 385.2

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+19063412253

Visit website

Cedar Street Cafe LLC

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 385.2

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19063412469

Mug Shots Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 420.2

Rapid River, Michigan

+19063981415

Circle K

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 420.2

Rapid River, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19069367151

Visit website

Stardust Entertainment Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 105.1

Saginaw, Michigan

Hours: 12–11 pm

+19897936300

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13134299888

Visit website

The Grind Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 385.2

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+19062861137

Visit website

Contrast Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 490.3

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+19064515662

Visit website

Neucup

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 490.3

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+19064485044

Qahwah House Coffee - East Dearborn

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13139084521

Visit website

Our Town Coffee & Treats

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 210.1

Grayling, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+19892178099

Visit website

Qahwah House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13134278944

Visit website

Jabal Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–12 pm

+13135137548

Visit website

Manistique Boardwalk

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 385.2

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

Iron Mountain City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 490.3

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 70

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Pine Mountain Ski Jump

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 490.3

Iron Mountain, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19067791110

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 70

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 70

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+13138983007

Visit website

Airborne Adventure Park - Saginaw, MI

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 105.1

Saginaw, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+19895960022

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 297.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
297.8 mi into trip | ~5h 13m in

Take the exit toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 344B Toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$76.65 one way

$153.31 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 172 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $84.16 $168.32
premium $4.89 $94.35 $188.71
diesel $5.61 $108.25 $216.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$77

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$207–$317

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 171.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 147.1 1 $51.48 $23.53
Efficient EV 122.6 1 $42.90 $19.61
EV Truck/SUV 196.1 2 $68.64 $31.38

Gas CO2

172 kg

EV CO2

57 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 Saturday

Local time

3:58 PM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Iron Mountain, MI

Afternoon in Iron Mountain on Saturday

Local time

2:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour earlier

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

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

9h 5m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a 9h 5m highway drive covering 490.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and US-2 West. The longest continuous stretch is about 232.9 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 20 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 232.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US-2 West. 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 is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 490.3 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.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,356 ft 589 ft

Total Climb

1,769 ft

Total Descent

1,224 ft

Highest Point

1,356 ft

~175.1 mi in

Elevation Range

767 ft

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 Iron Mountain, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.

Escanaba

297.8 mi in | ~5h 13m

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Dearborn, MI to Iron Mountain, MI covers 490.3 miles and takes about 9h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 75, US-2 West, North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 245 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 245.1 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 $76.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 14 significant decision points across 490.3 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.

On the drive from Dearborn, MI to Iron Mountain, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.

Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 589 ft to 1,356 ft elevation with about 1,769 ft of total climbing.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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