Dearborn to Ludington is 249.8 miles and takes about 4h 37m via I 96 and US 31, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest's urban core towards its more rural western side. It's a straightforward trip, largely on well-maintained highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day drive. The majority of the driving is on interstates, so expect a relatively efficient travel time to reach your destination on Lake Michigan.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
124.9 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 96
163.3 mi
2h 54m
US 31
55.9 mi
57m
Southfield Freeway
8.5 mi
11m
Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.2 mi
8m
John C Lodge Freeway
3.9 mi
4m
South Pere Marquette Highway
3.2 mi
4m
Ford Road
2 mi
3m
East Ludington Avenue
1.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 163.3 mi, about 2h 54m
Traffic on I-96
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 39 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,180 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,789
Quietest
2 AM
~134 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.3×
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 Ludington, 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
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 RapidsUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37
37 mi·39 min·I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: MuskegonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 1BToward US 31 North: Muskegon, LudingtonUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto US 31
56 mi·57 min·US 31
19
Take the exit onto US-31 BUS
0.5 mi·1 min·US-31 BUS
Toward US 31 Business: Ludington
20
Turn left onto US-31 BUS
3.2 mi·4 min·South Pere Marquette Highway
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 10
0.6 mi·1 min·West US Highway 10
22
Continue on US 10
1.3 mi·3 min·East Ludington Avenue
23
Turn left
110 ft·6 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4h 37m drive, leaving Dearborn in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion. Since it's a manageable distance, you can comfortably complete it in one day, but there's no pressure to rush. Consider taking your break during the 163.3-mile stretch on I 96, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move away from the Detroit metro area, as services can become less frequent on certain stretches of US 31.
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 124.9 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 163.3 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 55 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.9 miles or 2h 20m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ludington, 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 249.8 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 163.3 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 187.8 — 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
187.8 mi into trip|~3h 28m in
Take the exit toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington
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 1B
Toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.89 one way
$73.78 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$40.73
$81.45
premium
$4.72
$46.38
$92.76
diesel
$4.80
$47.17
$94.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.23
$11.99
Efficient EV
62.5
0
$21.86
$9.99
EV Truck/SUV
99.9
1
$34.97
$15.99
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Dearborn, MI
Late night
in Dearborn on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 9 to 16 mph66% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:41AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
Destination
Ludington, MI
Late night
in Ludington on Sunday
Local time
4:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Areas Of Smoke
NW 12 to 17 mph50% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 6:07AM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:41AM EDT until July 18 at 10:00PM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
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
9 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
4h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 96% of your time on highways for this 249.8-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 163.3 miles along I 96. After this, you'll transition to US 31 and Southfield Freeway, which will likely feel more like surface roads with more frequent exits and intersections. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you navigate the initial urban and suburban areas of Metro Detroit.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 163.3 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 31. 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
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 249.8 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
893 ft591 ft
Total Climb
443 ft
Total Descent
443 ft
Highest Point
893 ft
~53.5 mi in
Elevation Range
302 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 Dearborn, MI to Ludington, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 37 North: Muskegon along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 37m. Total distance: 249.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 37m 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 163.3 miles on I 96. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Ludington, 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 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Ludington, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
