Dearborn, MI to Stambaugh, Iron River, MI is 525.9 miles and takes about 10h 1m via I 75 and US-2 West, with a fuel budget near $78 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive stays within the Midwest, starting in Michigan and ending in Michigan. Given the duration, this is best suited for an overnight trip, especially since it covers over 500 miles. Plan for a full day of driving, or split it into two days to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
262.9 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
232.9 mi
4h
US-2 West
134 mi
2h 39m
M 69
60 mi
1h 22m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
57.6 mi
1h 1m
Crystal Avenue
15.1 mi
17m
18th Road
7.9 mi
10m
Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi
7m
17th Road
3.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 232.9 mi, about 4h
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 138 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,916 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,048
Quietest
2 AM
~169 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Stambaugh, Iron River, 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
52 mi·56 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
63 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 75; US 23
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
118 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 75
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 344BToward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
12
Merge onto US 2; I 75 BL
0.7 mi·1 min·US-2 West
13
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi·3 min·US 2
14
Continue on US 2
133 mi·2 hr 38 min·US-2 West
15
Turn right onto 426
0.5 mi·1 min·County Road 426 M.5 Road
16
Continue on 426
0.4 mi·1 min·County 426 M.5 Road
17
Turn left onto 414
5.8 mi·7 min·18th Road
18
Continue on 414
0.2 mi·21 sec·I Road
19
Turn right onto 414
2.1 mi·2 min·18th Road
20
Continue on 414
1.0 mi·1 min·G Road
21
Continue on 414
3.9 mi·5 min·17th Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto 410
0.2 mi·24 sec·C Road
23
Turn right onto M 69
41 mi·56 min·M 69
24
Continue on M 69; M 95
6.0 mi·6 min·M 69; M 95
25
Turn left onto M 69
13 mi·19 min·M 69
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto US 2; US 141
381 ft·12 sec·North 5th Street
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto US 2; US 141
15 mi·17 min·Crystal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
28
Turn left onto North Lay Avenue
0.4 mi·54 sec·North Lay Avenue
29
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Washington Avenue
30
Turn left onto Diamond Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·Diamond Street
31
At end of road, turn right onto Stambaugh Avenue
0.2 mi·44 sec·Stambaugh Avenue
32
Turn left onto Holly Street
55 ft·1 sec·Holly Street
33
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour estimated drive time, it's highly recommended to break this trip into two days. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to drive straight through. With two recommended stops, you can pace yourself effectively. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a stop could be significant. Consider filling up before heading into more rural areas on US-2 West.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 262.9 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 4h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 116 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 262.9 miles or 4h 37m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 262.9 miles or 4h 37m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stambaugh, Iron River, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dearborn, MI
Aim for roughly 263 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Stambaugh, Iron River, MI
Aim for roughly 263 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 116 miles from Dearborn, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 232.9 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 509.7 — 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.
6
297.8 mi into trip|~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 344B
Toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
6
509.7 mi into trip|~9h 41m in|US 2; US 141 / Crystal Avenue
Turn left onto US 2; US 141 / Crystal Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$87.73 one way
$175.45 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg184 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$95.35
$190.69
premium
$5.26
$108.89
$217.77
diesel
$6.18
$127.93
$255.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$218–$328
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 184 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
157.8
1
$55.22
$25.24
Efficient EV
131.5
1
$46.02
$21.04
EV Truck/SUV
210.4
2
$73.63
$33.66
Gas CO2
184 kg
EV CO2
62 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Dearborn, MI
Late night
in Dearborn on Tuesday
Local time
5:03 AM
EDT
Current temp
42°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stambaugh, Iron River, MI
Late night
in Stambaugh on Tuesday
Local time
4:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
61°F
Laketon, MI
347 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
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
10h 1m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is largely highway driving, with 82% of the 525.9 miles on major roads like I 75 and US-2 West. You'll experience a long stretch of 232.9 miles on I 75, which means consistent cruising before transitioning to US-2 West and then M 69. Expect to encounter more rural driving conditions once you leave the interstate system.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232.9 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US-2 West. 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 22 significant decision points across 525.9 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,633 ft589 ft
Total Climb
2,216 ft
Total Descent
1,175 ft
Highest Point
1,633 ft
~525.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,044 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 Stambaugh, Iron River, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Escanaba along the way.
The longest stretch is about 232.9 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 263 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Stambaugh, Iron River, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 33 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.0 hours each way, a round trip means 20.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stambaugh, Iron River, MI before the return drive.
