Origin
South Lyon, MI
Late night in South Lyon on Friday
Local time
3:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from South Lyon, MI to Dearborn, MI
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
50m
Distance
34.9 mi
56 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 46m
★
6 AM
0h 50m
8 AM
0h 58m
10 AM
0h 53m
12 PM
0h 52m
3 PM
0h 53m
5 PM
0h 58m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
South Lyon, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Dearborn, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 34.9-mile drive from South Lyon, MI to Dearborn, MI is a straightforward trip, taking about 50 minutes to complete. It's easily manageable as a single-day excursion, with a modest fuel cost estimated at $5. You'll primarily navigate via I-96 and M-14, with a portion on 8 Mile Road, offering a mixed driving experience. Since both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region of Michigan, you won't be crossing any significant regional boundaries. This route is ideal for a quick commute or a short day trip without the need for an overnight stay.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 50m. Total distance: 34.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
50m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with about 40% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 9.2 miles on I-96, providing a chance to settle into a steady pace. While there are highway segments, the inclusion of local roads like 8 Mile Road means you'll experience varied driving conditions. This blend of faster-paced interstate travel and more localized road sections creates a dynamic feel to the drive, keeping things from becoming monotonous.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 21 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 early in the drive near South Lafayette Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 34.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Lafayette Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Lafayette Street
Turn right onto South Lafayette Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
26.4 mi into trip
|
~35m 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
28.3 mi into trip
|
~38m 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
28.5 mi into trip
|
~39m 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
31.6 mi into trip
|
~43m 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 South Lyon, MI and Dearborn, MI, road signs point toward M 14 East: Detroit and M 153.
M 14 East: Detroit
12.8 mi in
|
~20m
M 153
31.6 mi in
|
~43m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 9.2 mi | 9m |
| M 14 | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| 8 Mile Road | 4 mi | 5m |
| Beck Road | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| East 8 Mile Road | 3 mi | 4m |
| Southfield Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Ford Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Jeffries Freeway (Local) | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 9.2 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Lyon, MI and Dearborn, MI.
1
Start on West Lake Street
29 ft
·
3 sec
·
West Lake Street
2
Turn right onto South Lafayette Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lafayette Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on Pontiac Trail
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Pontiac Trail
4
Turn left onto East 8 Mile Road
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
East 8 Mile Road
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto 8 Mile Road
124 ft
·
2 sec
·
8 Mile Road
6
Continue on 8 Mile Road
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
8 Mile Road
7
Turn right onto Beck Road
3.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Beck Road
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward M 14 East: Detroit
9
Merge onto M 14
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
M 14
10
Continue on I 96
9.2 mi
·
9 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 183
Toward M 39: Southfield Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward M 39 South: Southfield Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto M 39
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Southfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 7
Toward M 153
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on South M 39 Service Drive
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South M 39 Service Drive
17
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Ford Road
18
Turn straight onto M 153
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Ford Road
19
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Schaefer Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto US 12
79 ft
·
1 sec
·
Michigan Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
US 12
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.4 mi from South Lyon, MI · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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 34.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.4 miles from South Lyon, 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
$5.46 one way
$10.91 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $5.99 | $11.98 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.72 | $13.43 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.71 | $15.41 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.66 | $1.68 |
| Efficient EV | 8.7 | 0 | $3.05 | $1.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14 | 0 | $4.89 | $2.23 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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
Late night in Dearborn on Friday
Local time
3:27 AM
EDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Plymouth, MI
17 mi in
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
6 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
50m 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 South Lyon, MI to Dearborn, MI covers 34.9 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 96, M 14, 8 Mile Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.4 miles from South Lyon, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.46 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 13 decision points packed into just 34.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 50m.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (South Lafayette Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 28.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between South Lyon, MI and Dearborn, MI, road signs point toward M 14 East: Detroit and M 153.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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