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Trip from Dearborn, MI to Mendon, MI

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

Drive Time

2h 42m

Distance

139.2 mi

224 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 32m ★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 37m

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 Mendon, MI, MI

Mendon, MI

cottonbro studio

Trip Overview

This 139.2-mile drive from Dearborn, Michigan, to Mendon, Michigan, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 42 minutes. With an estimated fuel cost of $22, it's an economical choice for exploring the Midwest. The route is primarily highway-focused, making for a straightforward journey. You'll spend most of your time on major expressways, covering a significant distance without frequent interruptions. This makes it a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within the state.

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

69.6 miles from Dearborn, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Detroit Industrial Expressway 109.6 mi 1h 57m
M-66 9.8 mi 14m
State Highway 60 8.8 mi 13m
Mendon Road 3.2 mi 4m
M 66 2.1 mi 3m
Schaefer Road 1.5 mi 2m
North Capital Avenue 1 mi 1m
Athens Road 0.7 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Detroit Industrial Expressway — 109.6 mi, about 1h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 12

79 ft · 8 sec · Michigan Avenue
2

Turn right onto Schaefer Road

1.5 mi · 2 min · Schaefer Road
Use the right lane.
3

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 29 sec
4

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
5

Merge onto I 94

16 mi · 17 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94

93 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Toward M 66: Sturgis
8

Merge onto I 194; M 66

0.4 mi · 32 sec · Sojourner Truth Downtown Parkway
9

Continue on M 66

2.3 mi · 2 min · M-66
10

Continue on M 66

2.1 mi · 3 min · M 66
11

Continue on M 66

7.5 mi · 11 min · M-66
12

Continue on M 66

0.3 mi · 25 sec · 3 Mile Road
13

Continue on M 66

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Capital Avenue
14

Continue on M 66

0.5 mi · 44 sec · State Highway 66
15

Continue on M 66

0.7 mi · 1 min · Athens Road
16

Turn right onto M 60

3.2 mi · 4 min · Mendon Road
17

Continue on M 60

8.8 mi · 13 min · State Highway 60
18

Continue on M 60

0.3 mi · 28 sec · East Main Street
19

Turn left onto South Nottawa Street

191 ft · 7 sec · South Nottawa Street
20

Turn right

131 ft · 9 sec
21

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given its 2-hour-and-42-minute duration, this trip is perfect for a single day. Consider departing mid-morning to avoid rush hour traffic out of the Dearborn area. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of over 100 miles on the Detroit Industrial Expressway, you can plan for one fuel or rest break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Mendon, as the highway portion is quite extensive before you reach your destination.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 69.6 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.6 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 31 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 69.6 miles or 1h 16m 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 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mendon, 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 139.2 miles and 2h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 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 Detroit Industrial Expressway for about 109.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Michigan Center, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Michigan Center, MI

70 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

Ann Arbor, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jackson, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 69.6 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 Detroit Industrial Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.6 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 Restaurant

Dozer Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39.8

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17349295217

Visit website

Dunkin'

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Chelsea, Michigan

0.7 mi

Zou Zou's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chelsea, Michigan

1.6 mi

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

Qahwah House Coffee - East Dearborn

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Dearborn, Michigan

1.2 mi

Serendipity & The Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Marshall, Michigan

1.2 mi

Dozer Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 39.8

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+17349295217

Visit website

Dunkin'

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 49.7

Chelsea, Michigan

Hours: 4:30 am–7 pm

+17345622004

Visit website

Starbucks Coffee Company

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 49.7

Chelsea, Michigan

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+17347194712

Zou Zou's

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.7

Chelsea, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+17344334226

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 99.4

Marshall, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12697814806

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 69.6

Jackson, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+15173154061

Visit website

BIGGBY COFFEE

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 89.5

Albion, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+15176299800

Visit website

Foundry Bakehouse and Deli

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 89.5

Albion, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+15176800092

Visit website

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

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

Serendipity & The Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 99.4

Marshall, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+15177814753

Visit website

Sanaa Coffee House

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 29.8

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17345475696

Rawaq Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv mile 39.8

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+17344368412

Visit website

Socotra Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 29.8

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+17349295672

Visit website

Stirling Books & Brew

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 89.5

Albion, Michigan

Hours: 12–6 pm

+15176297560

Visit website

Battlecreek Coffee Roasters

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 109.4

Battle Creek, Michigan

Visit website

Zap Zone at BIG Best In Games - Ypsilanti

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 29.8

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12 pm–12 am

+17349306670

Visit website

Rolling Hills Water Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 29.8

Ypsilanti, Michigan

Hours: 12–7 pm

+17344849676

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

Leslie Science & Nature Center

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 39.8

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+17349971553

Visit website

Airborne Adventure Park - Taylor, MI

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 9.9

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 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 139.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Schaefer Road

Turn right onto Schaefer Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
1.7 mi into trip | ~3m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 West: Chicago

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 94 West: Chicago
5
2 mi into trip | ~4m in | I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway

Merge onto I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
18.5 mi into trip | ~22m in | I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
139.2 mi into trip | ~2h 42m in | South Nottawa Street

Turn left onto South Nottawa Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.76 one way

$43.52 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $23.89 $47.79
premium $4.89 $26.79 $53.58
diesel $5.61 $30.73 $61.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 48.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 41.8 0 $14.62 $6.68
Efficient EV 34.8 0 $12.18 $5.57
EV Truck/SUV 55.7 0 $19.49 $8.91

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 kg (67% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Dearborn, MI

Late night in Dearborn on Sunday

Local time

3:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

70°F

Patchy Fog then Partly Sunny

SE 3 to 9 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Dense Fog Advisory

Dense Fog Advisory issued April 17 at 11:05AM EDT until April 17 at 2:00PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued April 17 at 10:27AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI

Destination

Mendon, MI

Late night in Mendon on Sunday

Local time

3:34 AM

EDT

Current temp

66°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

4 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 42m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 86% of the drive being on major roads. The Detroit Industrial Expressway accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 109.6 miles, offering a consistent pace. You'll transition to M-66 and State Highway 60, which should maintain a similar highway feel. This means you can anticipate smooth, relatively fast travel for the majority of your journey, with minimal winding local roads to slow you down.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 109.6 mi on Detroit Industrial Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Detroit Industrial Expressway and M-66. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Schaefer Road.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 139.2 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (Schaefer Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

On the drive from Dearborn, MI to Mendon, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 66: Sturgis along the way.

M 66: Sturgis

111.6 mi in | ~2h 1m

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 2h 42m. Total distance: 139.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 109.6 miles on Detroit Industrial Expressway. 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 Mendon, 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: near the start (Schaefer Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 2 miles (I 94 / Detroit Industrial Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Mendon, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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