This 99.9-mile drive from Ellington to Dearborn, Michigan, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 21 minutes. The estimated fuel cost is around $16, making it an economical option for a quick journey within the Midwest region. You'll primarily navigate via I-75 and local roads like South Lapeer Road and Lapeer Road. With no specific stops recommended in the data, this route offers flexibility for spontaneous breaks. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied experience, not a monotonous trek, so you can expect a dynamic journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50 miles from Ellington, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 21m. Total distance: 99.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with 31% of it on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced driving, including a longest uninterrupted segment of 25.5 miles on I-75. However, the route also incorporates local roads, which will likely involve more varied speed limits and potentially increased traffic, especially as you approach Dearborn. This blend means you won't be stuck in constant highway mode; expect the pace to change as you transition between these different road types.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 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 25.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 66.7 miles in near University Drive.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 66.7 miles (University Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 92.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
66.7 mi into trip|~1h 41m in|University Drive
Turn sharp left onto University Drive
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
66.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the ramp toward I 75 South: Detroit
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 75 South: Detroit
8
92.6 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 94: Port Huron, Chicago
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 53B
Toward I 94: Port Huron, Chicago
8
92.9 mi into trip|~2h 10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 West: Chicago
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
8
98.8 mi into trip|~2h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 12: Michigan Avenue, Dearborn
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 210A
Toward US 12: Michigan Avenue, Dearborn
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 Ellington, MI to Dearborn, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
Chicago
92.6 mi in|~2h 9m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
25.5 mi
27m
South Lapeer Road
24.6 mi
36m
Lapeer Road
18 mi
27m
Mertz Road
9.7 mi
14m
Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi
7m
East Caro Road
5.3 mi
7m
West Ohmer Road
2.1 mi
3m
North Main Street
2.1 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 25.5 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ellington, MI and Dearborn, MI.
1
Start on M 81
5.3 mi·7 min·East Caro Road
2
Turn left onto M 24
0.5 mi·41 sec·Ellington Street
3
Continue on M 24
9.7 mi·14 min·Mertz Road
4
Turn straight onto M 24
2.1 mi·3 min·West Ohmer Road
5
Continue on M 24
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Main Street
6
Continue on M 24
0.8 mi·1 min·Mayville Road
7
Continue on M 24
1.1 mi·1 min·Ohmer Road
8
Continue on M 24
18 mi·27 min·Lapeer Road
9
Continue on M 24
2.1 mi·4 min·North Main Street
10
Continue on M 24
15 mi·20 min·South Lapeer Road
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on M 24
1.0 mi·2 min·North Washington Street
12
Continue on M 24
9.7 mi·15 min·South Lapeer Road
Use the right lane.
13
Turn slight left onto North Opdyke Road
1.4 mi·2 min·North Opdyke Road
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Turn sharp left onto University Drive
0.2 mi·23 sec·University Drive
Use the left lane.
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·20 sec
Toward I 75 South: DetroitUse the right lane.
16
Merge onto I 75
26 mi·27 min·I 75
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 53BToward I 94: Port Huron, ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 94 West: ChicagoUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto I 94
5.6 mi·7 min·Edsel Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 210AToward US 12: Michigan Avenue, DearbornUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
0.8 mi·1 min·Michigan Avenue
Use the right lane.
22
Arrive at destination
US 12
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 2-hour and 21-minute drive, flexibility is your best friend. You can easily tackle this in one day without needing an overnight stay, and the $16 fuel cost is quite manageable. Consider departing in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, particularly on I-75. Since no specific stops are highlighted, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway mark. A practical tip: keep an eye on your GPS for traffic patterns as you approach the Dearborn area, as congestion can build.
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 50 miles from Ellington, MI, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.5 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dearborn, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ellington, 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 Ellington, MI
This is one driving day of about 99.9 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Ellington, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 25.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50 mi from Ellington, MI
· 1h 14m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.62 one way
$31.24 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$17.15
$34.30
premium
$4.89
$19.22
$38.45
diesel
$5.61
$22.06
$44.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
30
0
$10.49
$4.80
Efficient EV
25
0
$8.74
$4.00
EV Truck/SUV
40
0
$13.99
$6.39
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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 17, 2026
Origin
Ellington, MI
Late night
in Ellington on Saturday
Local time
3:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dearborn, MI
Late night
in Dearborn on Saturday
Local time
3:13 AM
EDT
Current temp
52°F
Widespread Fog
NNE 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 9:52PM CDT by NWS Green Bay WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:40PM EDT until April 20 at 4:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 21m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ellington, MI to Dearborn, MI covers 99.9 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, South Lapeer Road, Lapeer Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50 miles from Ellington, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.62 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 99.9 miles you will encounter 10 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 66.7 miles (University Drive): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 92.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ellington, MI to Dearborn, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Chicago along the way.
