Origin
Potterville, MI
Afternoon in Potterville on Friday
Local time
4:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Potterville, MI to Dearborn, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
96.9 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 45m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Potterville, MI
fish socks
Dearborn, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 96.9-mile drive from Potterville, MI, to Dearborn, MI, is designed to be completed in just under 2 hours, making it an ideal day trip. The route is heavily focused on highway travel, with 92% of the journey on major interstates, including I-96 and the Walter P Reuther Freeway. You can expect to spend around $15 on fuel for this relatively short distance. Since it’s a quick trip through the Midwest, no overnight stops are necessary, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.5 miles from Potterville, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 53m. Total distance: 96.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 1-hour, 53-minute journey. With 92% of the drive on major roads like I-96 and the Southfield Freeway, you'll encounter consistent speeds. The longest uninterrupted stretch is an impressive 65 miles on I-96, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. This route prioritizes efficiency over scenic detours, providing a practical and direct path between its Michigan destinations.
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 96 is the longest continuous segment at about 65 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 96.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.8 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
4.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Lansing Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Lansing Road
5
6.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 96
Merge onto I 96
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
84.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
Take the exit toward M 39
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 14C
Toward M 39
7
93.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
6
96.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
Schaefer Road
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
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 Potterville, MI and Dearborn, MI, road signs point toward M 5 East: Port Huron and M 39.
M 5 East: Port Huron
71.9 mi in
|
~1h 19m
|
via I 696
M 39
84.9 mi in
|
~1h 34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 65 mi | 1h 9m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Southfield Freeway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| John C Lodge Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| I 69 | 3.2 mi | 3m |
| Ford Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Lansing Road | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Potterville Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 65 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Potterville, MI and Dearborn, MI.
1
Start on M 100
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
·
Potterville Street
2
Continue on M 100
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
Hartel Road
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
4
Merge onto I 69
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
I 69
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward Lansing Road
6
Keep slight left at fork
520 ft
·
13 sec
Toward Lansing Road
7
Turn right onto Lansing Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lansing Road
8
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I-96 EAST: Detroit
9
Merge onto I 96
65 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on I 696
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East: Port Huron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto M 10
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
John C Lodge Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 14C
Toward M 39
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto M 39
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Southfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 7
Toward M 153
Use the slight right lane.
15
Continue on South M 39 Service Drive
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South M 39 Service Drive
16
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Ford Road
17
Turn straight onto M 153
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Ford Road
18
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Schaefer Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto US 12
79 ft
·
1 sec
·
Michigan Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
US 12
Trip Plan
Given the short 96.9-mile distance and efficient highway profile, you have plenty of flexibility for when you depart. Leaving Potterville, MI, during off-peak hours can help you avoid any potential traffic as you approach the greater Detroit area. With no designated stops required, consider making a brief fuel or restroom break whenever you feel the need, especially before embarking on the 65-mile stretch on I-96. The $15 fuel cost is minimal, so focus on a smooth transition into 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 48.5 miles from Potterville, MI, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65 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 21 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.5 miles or 54m 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 28m
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 Potterville, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Potterville, MI
This is one driving day of about 96.9 miles and 1h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Potterville, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 65 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.5 mi from Potterville, MI · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.5 miles from Potterville, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65 miles.
Arriving in Dearborn, MI
The final approach into Dearborn, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.15 one way
$30.30 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $16.63 | $33.27 |
| premium | $4.89 | $18.65 | $37.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.39 | $42.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.1 | 0 | $10.17 | $4.65 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.48 | $3.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.8 | 0 | $13.57 | $6.20 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Afternoon in Dearborn on Friday
Local time
4:17 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 to 14 mph
76% chance
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.
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
27 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
1h 53m 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 Potterville, MI to Dearborn, MI covers 96.9 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, Southfield Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.5 miles from Potterville, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.15 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 96.9 miles you will encounter 14 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 4.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 6.8 miles (I 96): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 84.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Potterville, MI and Dearborn, MI, road signs point toward M 5 East: Port Huron and M 39.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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