Origin
Northville, MI
Evening in Northville on Wednesday
Local time
8:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Northville, MI to Dearborn, MI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
34m
Distance
23.8 mi
38 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 31m
★
6 AM
0h 34m
8 AM
0h 40m
10 AM
0h 36m
12 PM
0h 36m
3 PM
0h 37m
5 PM
0h 40m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Northville, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Dearborn, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This short, 23.8-mile drive from Northville, MI to Dearborn, MI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 34 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-96 and the Southfield Freeway, with a portion on Sheldon Road, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of just $4, this is an economical option for a quick journey. Given its brevity and the fact that both locations are within the Midwest region of Michigan, no overnight stay is necessary. This trip is ideal for a quick commute or a short excursion, allowing for flexibility in departure times.
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
11.9 miles from Northville, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive presents a mixed profile, with 58% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced interstate driving, including a continuous 9.2-mile segment on I-96. The inclusion of Sheldon Road and the Southfield Freeway means you'll transition between different types of roadways. Expect a dynamic driving experience that balances efficient highway travel with potentially more local road conditions as you approach your destination.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 9.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 23.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 34m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
3.3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor
7
15.4 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local) toward I 96 Local: To All Exits
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 Local: To All Exits
7
17.3 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward M 39: Southfield Freeway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 183
Toward M 39: Southfield Freeway
7
17.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward M 39 South: Southfield Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward M 39 South: Southfield Freeway
7
20.6 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward M 153
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward M 153
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Northville, MI and Dearborn, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor, M 14 East: Detroit and M 153.
M 14: Detroit
3.3 mi in
|
~6m
Ann Arbor
3.3 mi in
|
~6m
M 14 East: Detroit
3.4 mi in
|
~6m
M 153
20.6 mi in
|
~27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| Sheldon Road | 2.8 mi | 5m |
| Southfield Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| M 14 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Ford Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Jeffries Freeway (Local) | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Schaefer Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Center Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 9.2 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Northville, MI and Dearborn, MI.
1
Start on North Center Street
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Center Street
2
Enter roundabout onto Sheldon Road
113 ft
·
2 sec
·
Sheldon Road
3
Continue on Sheldon Road
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Sheldon Road
4
Continue on North Sheldon Road
471 ft
·
16 sec
·
North Sheldon Road
5
Take the ramp
508 ft
·
12 sec
Toward M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor
Use the right lane.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 14 East: Detroit
7
Merge onto M 14
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
M 14
8
Continue on I 96
9.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Jeffries Freeway (Local)
Toward I 96 Local: To All Exits
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 183
Toward M 39: Southfield Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward M 39 South: Southfield Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto M 39
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Southfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 7
Toward M 153
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on South M 39 Service Drive
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South M 39 Service Drive
15
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Ford Road
16
Turn straight onto M 153
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Ford Road
17
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Schaefer Road
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto US 12
79 ft
·
1 sec
·
Michigan Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
US 12
Trip Plan
Given the short 34-minute duration, this trip offers significant flexibility. You can easily depart at your convenience, avoiding peak traffic if possible. With only 23.8 miles and a low fuel cost of $4, extensive planning for stops isn't required, though rest stops are available along the freeway segments. Pay attention to signage as you transition from I-96 to Sheldon Road and then onto the Southfield Freeway to ensure you maintain the most efficient path to Dearborn.
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 11.9 miles from Northville, MI, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.2 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 23.8 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 11.9 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dearborn, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Northville, MI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Northville, MI
This is one driving day of about 23.8 miles and 34m.
At 23.8 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 9.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 11.9 mi from Northville, MI · 16m into the drive
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 23.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 11.9 miles from Northville, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Dearborn, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Dearborn, 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
$3.72 one way
$7.44 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $4.09 | $8.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $4.58 | $9.16 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.25 | $10.51 |
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: 8.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.50 | $1.14 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.08 | $0.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.33 | $1.52 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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.
Destination
Dearborn, MI
Evening in Dearborn on Wednesday
Local time
8:39 PM
EDT
Current temp
61°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
34m 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 Northville, MI to Dearborn, MI covers 23.8 miles and takes about 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 96, Sheldon Road, Southfield Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 11.9 miles from Northville, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.72 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 is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 23.8 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 34m.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 15.4 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 17.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Northville, MI and Dearborn, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor, M 14 East: Detroit and M 153.
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