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Trip from Butler, MI to Dearborn, MI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 7m

Distance

104.6 mi

168 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
1h 58m ★
6 AM
2h 7m
8 AM
2h 25m
10 AM
2h 14m
12 PM
2h 12m
3 PM
2h 14m
5 PM
2h 24m
8 PM
2h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Butler, MI, MI

Butler, MI

Alberto Ramírez Sobrino

city in Wayne County, Michigan, USA

Dearborn, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 104.6-mile drive from Butler to Dearborn, Michigan, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes. The majority of your journey, about 68% of the route, will be on the interstate, offering a direct path. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this drive is quite economical. Both your starting and ending points are within the Midwest region, keeping the scenery consistent. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Michigan locations without needing an overnight stay.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.3 miles from Butler, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 94 71.3 mi 1h 16m
Spring Arbor Road 9.9 mi 13m
Homer-Concord Road 3 mi 4m
South County Line Road 3 mi 6m
M-60 2.9 mi 3m
M-99 2.7 mi 3m
Homer Road 2.2 mi 2m
25 Mile Road 1.8 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 94 — 71.3 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Butler, MI and Dearborn, MI.

1

Start on Clarendon Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Clarendon Road
2

Turn right onto South County Line Road

3.0 mi · 6 min · South County Line Road
3

Turn sharp left onto 25 Mile Road

1.8 mi · 2 min · 25 Mile Road
4

At end of road, turn left onto M 99

2.7 mi · 3 min · M-99
5

Continue on M 99

0.6 mi · 56 sec · South Hillsdale Street
6

Enter roundabout onto M 99

220 ft · 5 sec · North Hillsdale Street
7

Continue on M 99

302 ft · 12 sec · North Hillsdale Street
8

Turn right onto M 60; M 99

0.5 mi · 37 sec · West Leigh Street
9

Continue on M 60; M 99

1.5 mi · 2 min · Homer-Concord Road
10

Turn slight right onto M 60; M 99

1.7 mi · 2 min · L Drive South
11

Merge onto M 60

1.5 mi · 2 min · Homer-Concord Road
12

Continue on M 60

2.2 mi · 2 min · Homer Road
13

Continue on M 60

6.3 mi · 8 min · Spring Arbor Road
14

Continue on M 60

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
15

Continue on M 60

3.6 mi · 5 min · Spring Arbor Road
16

Turn straight onto M 60

2.9 mi · 3 min · M-60
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 57 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
18

Merge onto I 94

35 mi · 37 min · I 94
19

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

37 mi · 39 min · I 94
Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 208 Toward Greenfield Road, Schaefer Road Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Toward Schaefer Road
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Toward Schaefer Road, Butler Road Use the slight right lane.
23

Turn left onto Butler Road

0.1 mi · 14 sec · Butler Road
24

At end of road, turn left onto Schaefer Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · Schaefer Road
25

Turn left onto US 12

79 ft · 1 sec · Michigan Avenue
Use the left lane.
26

Arrive at destination

US 12

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just over 2 hours, this route offers flexibility for departure times. You could leave early to beat any potential traffic or opt for a mid-morning start. There are no specified stops, but with the longest stretch being about 71 miles, plan for a brief rest stop if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $16. A practical tip for this drive is to ensure you have your preferred audio entertainment ready, as the majority of the route is on the interstate where scenery can be less varied.

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 52.3 miles from Butler, MI, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 52.3 miles or 1h 8m 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 44m

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 Butler, 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 Butler, MI

This is one driving day of about 104.6 miles and 2h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Butler, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 71.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Chelsea, MI

52 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

Spring Arbor, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Chelsea, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.3 miles from Butler, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Dozer Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third · 45min to go 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17349295217

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Ann Arbor, Michigan

1.9 mi

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jackson, Michigan

1.7 mi

Best coffee break · home stretch

Haraz Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dearborn, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13134299888

Visit website

Rawaq Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

0.5 mi

Qahwah House Coffee - East Dearborn

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dearborn, Michigan

1.2 mi

Dozer Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17349295217

Visit website

The Drip House Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–8 pm

+17348004135

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15177952812

Visit website

Dunkin'

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Chelsea, Michigan

Hours: 4:30 am–7 pm

+17345622004

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+15179900800

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Chelsea, Michigan

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+17347194712

Zou Zou's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20

Chelsea, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17344334226

Visit website

RoosRoast Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17342229202

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13134299888

Visit website

Rawaq Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17344368412

Visit website

Qahwah House Coffee - East Dearborn

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13139084521

Visit website

Vito's Espresso

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Spring Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+15177951694

Visit website

Sanaa Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17345475696

Socotra Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17349295672

Visit website

RoosRoast Liberty

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+17343692494

Visit website

Comet Coffee

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7:30 am–6:30 pm

+17342220579

Visit website

Grass Lake Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Belleville Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Chelsea Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Sandstone Rest Area 819

0.8 mi from route

Service Plaza

2 mi from route

Zap Zone at BIG Best In Games - Ypsilanti

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+17349306670

Visit website

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Final third 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Rolling Hills Water Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

Final third 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12–7 pm

+17344849676

Visit website

Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+13138983007

Visit website

Airborne Adventure Park - Taylor, MI

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour

Taylor, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+17342252233

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 104.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
4 mi into trip | ~7m in | 25 Mile Road

Turn sharp left onto 25 Mile Road

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

8
65.4 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in | I 94

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor
8
101.9 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in

Take the exit toward Greenfield Road, Schaefer Road

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 208 Toward Greenfield Road, Schaefer Road
8
102.6 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Schaefer Road, Butler Road

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward Schaefer Road, Butler Road
6
104.5 mi into trip | ~2h 7m in | US 12 / Michigan Avenue

Turn left onto US 12 / Michigan Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.35 one way

$32.71 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.95 $35.91
premium $4.89 $20.13 $40.26
diesel $5.61 $23.09 $46.19

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: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.4 0 $10.98 $5.02
Efficient EV 26.2 0 $9.15 $4.18
EV Truck/SUV 41.8 0 $14.64 $6.69

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Butler, MI

Morning in Butler on Tuesday

Local time

8:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

63°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dearborn, MI

Morning in Dearborn on Tuesday

Local time

8:14 AM

EDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Chelsea, MI

52 mi in

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

15 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

2h 7m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused experience for this route, with 68% of the driving occurring on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 71.3 miles, primarily on I-94, which means you can settle in for a good period of steady travel. While much of the drive is on faster roads, you'll also navigate sections on Spring Arbor Road and Homer-Concord Road, which may offer a slightly different pace. The overall profile suggests a functional drive, prioritizing getting you from point A to point B efficiently.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.3 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Spring Arbor Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near 25 Mile Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 104.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (25 Mile Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 65.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,031 ft 591 ft

Total Climb

127 ft

Total Descent

550 ft

Highest Point

1,031 ft

~14.9 mi in

Elevation Range

439 ft

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 Butler, MI to Dearborn, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Arbor along the way.

Ann Arbor

65.4 mi in | ~1h 22m | via I 94

About the Cities

Arriving in Dearborn, MI

Full guide →

Dearborn is a city in Wayne County in the state of Michigan. This article also covers the adjacent community of Dearborn Heights.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 7m. Total distance: 104.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 71.3 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Dearborn, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (25 Mile Road): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 65.4 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dearborn, MI before heading back.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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