Origin
Southfield, MI
Late night in Southfield on Thursday
Local time
12:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Southfield, MI to Ypsilanti, MI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
45m
Distance
35.1 mi
56 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 41m
★
6 AM
0h 45m
8 AM
0h 53m
10 AM
0h 48m
12 PM
0h 47m
3 PM
0h 48m
5 PM
0h 52m
8 PM
0h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Southfield, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Ypsilanti, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
The drive from Southfield, MI to Ypsilanti, MI covers 35.1 miles and takes about 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Northwestern Highway, M 10 North, John C Lodge Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.49 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
17.5 miles from Southfield, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 45m drive with frequent turns across 35.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northwestern Highway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Southfield, MI to Ypsilanti, MI is easy. At 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Southfield, MI to Ypsilanti, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Highway | — | — |
| M 10 North | — | — |
| John C Lodge Freeway | — | — |
| I 696 West | — | — |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | — | — |
| I 96 East | — | — |
| I 96 | — | — |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Northwestern Highway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southfield, MI and Ypsilanti, MI.
1
Start on West 10 Mile Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 10 Mile Road
2
Turn right onto Northwestern Highway
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Northwestern Highway
3
Take the ramp slight left toward M 10 North
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
M 10 North
4
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
John C Lodge Freeway
5
Take the exit slight left toward I 696 West: Lansing
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 696 West: Lansing
6
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
6.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 96 East, I 275: Toledo
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
0.4 mi
·
23 sec
·
I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo
10
Merge slight right onto Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 12: Wayne, Ypsilanti
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US 12: Wayne, Ypsilanti
12
Turn right onto Michigan Avenue
4.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Michigan Avenue
13
Take the exit slight right toward BUS US 12: Ypsilanti
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
BUS US 12: Ypsilanti
14
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 17.5 miles from Southfield, MI, or about 22m into the drive.
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 35 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 17.5 miles or 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ypsilanti, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Southfield, MI.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Southfield, MI
This is one driving day of about 35.1 miles and 45m.
At 35.1 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 17.5 mi from Southfield, MI · 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.5 miles from Southfield, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ypsilanti, MI
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Ypsilanti, 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
$5.49 one way
$10.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.03 | $12.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.75 | $13.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.75 | $15.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.3 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 | $3.69 | $1.68 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
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
Ypsilanti, MI
Late night in Ypsilanti on Thursday
Local time
12:40 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
68°F
Plymouth, MI
18 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
21 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
45m 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 Southfield, MI to Ypsilanti, MI covers 35.1 miles and takes about 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northwestern Highway, M 10 North, John C Lodge Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 17.5 miles from Southfield, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.49 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.
The drive from Southfield, MI to Ypsilanti, MI is easy. At 45m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Southfield, MI to Ypsilanti, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Southfield, MI to Ypsilanti, MI does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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