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Trip from Dearborn, MI to Big Prairie, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 53m

Distance

202.7 mi

326 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

20 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 40m ★
6 AM
3h 53m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 2m
12 PM
4h 0m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 18m
8 PM
3h 46m

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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city in Wayne County, Michigan, USA

Dearborn, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Big Prairie, MI, MI

Big Prairie, MI

强 王

Trip Overview

The drive from Dearborn, MI to Big Prairie, MI covers 202.7 miles and takes about 3h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 96, US 131, Southfield Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 132.1 miles on I 96. At current regular gas prices, budget about $31.69 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

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

101.3 miles from Dearborn, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 96 132.1 mi 2h 21m
US 131 34.9 mi 35m
Southfield Freeway 8.5 mi 11m
Walter P Reuther Freeway 8.2 mi 8m
Jefferson Road 4.2 mi 10m
John C Lodge Freeway 3.9 mi 4m
East 36th Street 2.8 mi 4m
South Elm Avenue 2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 96 — 132.1 mi, about 2h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Big Prairie, 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 16 Toward M 10 North: Lansing Use 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 18C Toward I 696 West: Lansing Use 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

55 mi · 58 min · I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

54 mi · 57 min · I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37

5.7 mi · 6 min · I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 47 sec
Exit 31B Toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids Use the slight right lane.
18

Merge onto US 131

35 mi · 35 min · US 131
Use the slight right lane.
19

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Toward Morley
20

Turn left onto Jefferson Road

4.2 mi · 10 min · Jefferson Road
21

Continue on East 36th Street

2.5 mi · 3 min · East 36th Street
22

Continue on Croton Hardy Drive

0.7 mi · 1 min · Croton Hardy Drive
23

Turn right onto East 40th Street

0.1 mi · 25 sec · East 40th Street
24

Continue on Hardy Dam

0.5 mi · 1 min · Hardy Dam
25

Continue on Con Pow Co

0.2 mi · 30 sec · Con Pow Co
26

Continue on East 36th Street

0.3 mi · 39 sec · East 36th Street
27

Turn right onto South Elm Avenue

2.0 mi · 3 min · South Elm Avenue
28

Arrive at destination

South Elm Avenue

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 101.3 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 132.1 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 45 miles or 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 101.3 miles or 1h 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 3h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Prairie, 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.

+

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 Dearborn, MI

This is one driving day of about 202.7 miles and 3h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Dearborn, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 96 for about 132.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lansing, MI

101 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

Clyde, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lansing, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.3 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.1 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Haraz Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dearborn, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13134299888

Visit website

517 Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Lansing, Michigan

0.7 mi

Qahwah House Coffee - East Dearborn

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dearborn, Michigan

1.2 mi

Haraz Coffee House

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13134299888

Visit website

517 Coffee Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 86.9

Lansing, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+15175745573

Visit website

Qahwah House Coffee - East Dearborn

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13139084521

Visit website

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 43.4

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

Visit website

Built & Brewed In Detroit Coffee Bar (Inside Michigan First Credit Union)

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 14.5

Lathrup Village, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

Visit website

Schuil Coffee Company

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 144.8

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+16169566815

Visit website

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour Inexpensiv mile 43.4

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18102272233

Visit website

Good Deeds Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 57.9

Fowlerville, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+15172199046

Visit website

Morley Rest Area 533

0 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Rockford Rest Area 525

0.1 mi from route

Portland Rest Area 531

0.1 mi from route

Saranac Rest Area 532

0.1 mi from route

Howell Rest Area 812

0.1 mi from route

Grand Ledge Rest Area 825

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Okemos Rest Area 811

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

ONE9 Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

Holt Rest Area 810

1.1 mi from route

Rest Area

2.4 mi from route

Grand Rapids Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 144.8

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 4–8 pm

+16164019441

Visit website

Fitzgerald Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 101.3

Grand Ledge, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+15176277351

Visit website

Camelot Park

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 144.8

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–9 pm

+16164563232

Visit website

Harris Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 72.4

Okemos, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–3 pm

+15173493866

Visit website

Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+13138983007

Visit website

Maybury State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 29

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12483498390

Visit website

Maybury Farm

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 29

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+12483740200

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 156.6 — 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
7
97.3 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | I 96

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
8
151 mi into trip | ~2h 48m in | I 96; M 37

Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37 toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
8
156.6 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Take the exit toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids

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 31B Toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.69 one way

$63.38 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $34.79 $69.59
premium $4.89 $39.01 $78.02
diesel $5.61 $44.75 $89.51

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 70.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

20 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

MC3

Detroit, MI

RED_E

11 DCFC

ChillBox 9039 Dearborn Heights

Dearborn Heights, MI

RED_E

6 DCFC

Mission Ford of Dearborn

Dearborn, MI

RED_E

4 DCFC

Ford Vehicle Performance and Electrification Center - Inside Garage

Allen Park, MI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

Ford Vehicle Performance + Electrification Center

Allen Park, MI

FORD_CHARGE

4 DCFC

J Mart Ford and Wyoming

Dearborn, MI

RED_E

4 DCFC

Marathon Livernois

Detroit, MI

RED_E

4 DCFC

Village Ford

Dearborn, MI

RED_E

4 DCFC

RED_E: 13 Non-Networked: 3 FORD_CHARGE: 3 EV Connect: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 60.8 0 $21.28 $9.73
Efficient EV 50.7 0 $17.74 $8.11
EV Truck/SUV 81.1 1 $28.38 $12.97

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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 15, 2026

Origin

Dearborn, MI

Morning in Dearborn on Sunday

Local time

10:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Big Prairie, MI

Morning in Big Prairie on Sunday

Local time

10:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

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

17 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

3h 53m 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?

202.7 mi in 3h 53m, mostly highway — 132.1 mi of that is on I 96.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 132.1 mi on I 96.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and US 131. 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 Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 202.7 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 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 97.3 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 Big Prairie, MI, road signs point toward M 10 North: Lansing, M 37 North: Muskegon, Big Rapids and Morley.

M 10 North: Lansing

11.5 mi in | ~18m

M 37 North: Muskegon

151 mi in | ~2h 48m | via I 96; M 37

Big Rapids

156.6 mi in | ~2h 54m

Morley

191.7 mi in | ~3h 31m

About the Cities

Starting 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 3h 53m. Total distance: 202.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 132.1 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Big Prairie, 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 97.3 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Big Prairie, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Big Prairie, MI to Dearborn, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

203.1 mi 3h 53m

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