This 168.1-mile drive from Dearborn, Michigan, to Dover, Michigan, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 3 hours and 6 minutes. Primarily utilizing major highways like North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I-75, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip, so you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, it's an economical option for exploring within the Midwest. The road is mostly highway, making it a predictable and efficient way to travel between these two Michigan locations.
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
84 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
57.6 mi
1h 1m
I 75
51.3 mi
54m
US 10
47.4 mi
47m
Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi
7m
South Clare Avenue
3 mi
5m
East Dover Road
1 mi
3m
Michigan Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Detroit Industrial Expressway
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 55 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,415 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,590
Quietest
2 AM
~219 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn, MI and Dover, MI.
1
Start on US 12
0.6 mi·1 min·Michigan Avenue
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
3
Merge onto I 94
0.3 mi·23 sec·Detroit Industrial Expressway
4
Continue on I 94
5.6 mi·7 min·Edsel Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
302 ft·5 sec
Exit 216AToward I 75: Flint, ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 75 North: FlintUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto I 75
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
51 mi·54 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 162BToward US 10 West: Midland
10
Continue on US 10
11 mi·11 min·US 10
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
36 mi·36 min·US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward Old 27Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn left onto East Colonville Road
342 ft·13 sec·East Colonville Road
14
Turn right onto US 10 BUS; US 127 BUS
3.0 mi·5 min·South Clare Avenue
15
Turn right onto East Dover Road
1.0 mi·3 min·East Dover Road
16
Turn right onto South Eberhart Avenue
14 ft·0 sec·South Eberhart Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
South Eberhart Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 3-hour duration, this trip is ideal for a flexible schedule, allowing you to depart at your convenience. With only one recommended stop, you can easily manage your breaks. Factor in the $26 fuel cost for budgeting. The longest stretch without a significant change in direction is 57.6 miles on the North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, so plan your refueling and rest stops accordingly before entering that segment. Since it's a single-day drive, you'll arrive at your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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 84 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 37 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dover, 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 168.1 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway for about 57.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 163.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Take the exit toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 216A
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
7
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Flint
5
7.3 mi into trip|~11m in|I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge onto I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
64.9 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 75: Saginaw
6
163.8 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward Old 27
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Old 27
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.95 one way
$55.90 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$30.44
$60.89
premium
$5.18
$34.30
$68.60
diesel
$5.35
$35.41
$70.81
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.4
0
$17.65
$8.07
Efficient EV
42
0
$14.71
$6.72
EV Truck/SUV
67.2
0
$23.53
$10.76
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 May 31, 2026
Origin
Dearborn, MI
Afternoon
in Dearborn on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
NE 2 to 8 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Dover, MI
Afternoon
in Dover on Wednesday
Local time
4:54 PM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Clear
ENE 2 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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 6m 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 168.1-mile trip, with 96% of the drive taking place on major freeways and interstates. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 57.6 miles on the North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, offering a consistent pace. The route blends segments of I-75 and US-10, providing a clear and direct path for most of the journey. This highway-centric profile means you'll spend the majority of your time on high-speed, well-maintained roads.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.6 mi on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 168.1 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 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 168.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.6 miles on North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Dover, 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. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.3 miles (I 75 / North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Dover, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
