This 91.3-mile drive from Dearborn, MI to Bath, MI is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 52 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-96 and the Southfield Freeway, it's a highway-focused journey that fits perfectly within a single day. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $14, making it an economical option for a quick getaway within Michigan's Midwest region. With no designated stops in the data, you have the flexibility to make this drive as direct or as leisurely as you prefer.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.6 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
41.5 mi
44m
Perry Road
8.9 mi
12m
Southfield Freeway
8.5 mi
11m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.2 mi
8m
I 69
5.4 mi
5m
West Beard Road
5 mi
6m
John C Lodge Freeway
3.9 mi
4m
Ford Road
2 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 41.5 mi, about 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Bath, MI.
1
Start on US 12
79 ft·6 sec·Michigan Avenue
2
Turn left onto Schaefer Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Schaefer Road
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto M 153
521 ft·11 sec·Ford Road
4
Continue on M 153
1.9 mi·3 min·Ford Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight right
0.4 mi·1 min
6
Turn straight onto North M 39 Service Drive
351 ft·7 sec·North M 39 Service Drive
7
Take the ramp
478 ft·11 sec
Toward M 39 North
8
Merge onto M 39
8.5 mi·11 min·Southfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 16Toward M 10 North: LansingUse the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto M 10
3.9 mi·4 min·John C Lodge Freeway
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·56 sec
Exit 18CToward I 696 West: LansingUse the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto I 696
8.2 mi·8 min·Walter P Reuther Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 96
18 mi·19 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
24 mi·25 min·I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 122Toward M 43, M 52: Stockbridge, WebbervilleUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto M 43; M 52
0.6 mi·52 sec·Stockbridge Road
17
At end of road, turn left onto M 43; M 52
1.2 mi·1 min·East Grand River Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto M 52
8.9 mi·12 min·Perry Road
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto West Beard Road
5.0 mi·6 min·West Beard Road
20
Turn left onto Lansing Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Lansing Road
21
Turn right onto Woodbury Road
0.4 mi·58 sec·Woodbury Road
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
23
Merge onto I 69
5.4 mi·5 min·I 69
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward BathUse the slight right lane.
25
Turn left onto Webster Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Webster Road
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
Webster Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under two hours, this drive is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the late morning to avoid peak rush hour traffic if you're departing from the Dearborn area. The longest stretch on I-96 is over 40 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low, especially if you're starting with a less-than-full tank. For a practical tip, keep an eye out for potential construction zones on I-96, as they can sometimes cause unexpected delays on this busy interstate corridor.
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 45.6 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.5 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 20 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.6 miles or 55m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bath, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dearborn, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dearborn, MI
This is one driving day of about 91.3 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Dearborn, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 41.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 67 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
11.5 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward M 10 North: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 16
Toward M 10 North: Lansing
7
15.9 mi into trip|~23m in
Take the exit toward I 696 West: Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 18C
Toward I 696 West: Lansing
6
42.5 mi into trip|~52m in|I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
66 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward M 43, M 52: Stockbridge, Webberville
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 122
Toward M 43, M 52: Stockbridge, Webberville
6
67 mi into trip|~1h 19m in|M 43; M 52 / East Grand River Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto M 43; M 52 / East Grand River Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.27 one way
$28.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.67
$31.34
premium
$4.89
$17.57
$35.14
diesel
$5.61
$20.16
$40.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.4
0
$9.59
$4.38
Efficient EV
22.8
0
$7.99
$3.65
EV Truck/SUV
36.5
0
$12.78
$5.84
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 16, 2026
Origin
Dearborn, MI
Late night
in Dearborn on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 13 mph63% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 16 at 3:21PM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 16 at 1:53PM EDT until April 17 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Bath, MI
Late night
in Bath on Sunday
Local time
1:57 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Brighton, MI
46 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
11 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
1h 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 74% of the drive taking place on major roadways like I-96. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 41.5 miles on I-96, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. While the profile is highway-centric, the inclusion of roads like Perry Road and Southfield Freeway suggests a blend of high-speed travel and potentially some more local transitions as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic exploration.
74% 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: 41.5 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Perry Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91.3 miles you will encounter 21 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 11.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dearborn, MI and Bath, MI, road signs point toward M 10 North: Lansing, M 43, M 52: Stockbridge and Webberville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 52m. Total distance: 91.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 41.5 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Bath, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Bath, MI before heading back.
