Origin
Dearborn, MI
Morning in Dearborn on Saturday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dearborn, MI to West Branch, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 5, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 3m
Distance
168.6 mi
271 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 52m
★
6 AM
3h 3m
8 AM
3h 26m
10 AM
3h 11m
12 PM
3h 9m
3 PM
3h 12m
5 PM
3h 25m
8 PM
2h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dearborn, MI
Wikimedia Commons
West Branch, MI
fish socks
Trip Overview
Dearborn, MI to West Branch, MI is 168.6 miles and takes about 3h 3m via I 94 East, Detroit Industrial Expressway, and Edsel Ford Freeway, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, moving from the bustling Midwest region around Detroit northward. Expect a drive that largely bypasses major highways, offering a more local feel as you head towards your destination. It's a straightforward, single-day trip that doesn't require extensive planning.
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
84.3 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 100.3 mi | 1h 44m |
| North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 57.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| Edsel Ford Freeway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| South M-76 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Business Loop I-75 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Houghton Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Michigan Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Cook Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 100.3 mi, about 1h 44m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 118 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,496 veh/hr typical · worst 4,726
Quietest
2 AM
~206 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 West Branch, 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 216A
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 75 North: Flint
Use 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
48 mi
·
48 min
·
I 75; US 23
10
Take the exit onto I 75 BL
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
I 75 BL
Exit 212
Toward I 75 Business: West Branch
11
Turn right onto I 75 BL
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
Cook Road
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn straight onto I 75 BL
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Business Loop I-75
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on I 75 BL
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South M-76
14
Continue on I 75 BL; M 55
421 ft
·
9 sec
·
Tawas Road
15
Continue on I 75 BL; M 55
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Houghton Avenue
16
Turn right onto North 3rd Street
53 ft
·
2 sec
·
North 3rd Street
17
Arrive at destination
North 3rd Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour drive time, leaving anytime in the morning should allow you to reach West Branch with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a low fuel cost of around $27, this route is quite flexible. Plan to refuel before you leave Dearborn or shortly after, as the longest stretch isn't detailed and it's best to have a full tank. Pay attention to local speed limits on the surface roads, as they will dictate your overall travel time more than highway speeds.
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 84.3 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.3 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 37 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.3 miles or 1h 34m 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 West Branch, 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 168.6 miles and 3h 3m.
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 I 75 for about 100.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.3 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 165.2 — 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
5
165.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
I 75 BL
Take the exit onto I 75 BL toward I 75 Business: West Branch
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 212
Toward I 75 Business: West Branch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.14 one way
$52.28 round trip
$3.94/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.32 | $28.66 | $57.32 |
| premium | $4.93 | $32.71 | $65.42 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $37.17 | $74.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.70 | $8.09 |
| Efficient EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.75 | $6.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.60 | $10.79 |
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.
Destination
West Branch, MI
Morning in West Branch on Saturday
Local time
6:17 AM
EDT
Current temp
48°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
14 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 3m 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?
This drive is almost entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway share. You'll be navigating local streets for the full 168.6 miles. Be prepared for frequent intersections and traffic signals as you transition from the Detroit area's expressways onto surface routes. The longest stretch without a significant stop isn't specified, but expect a consistent pace on city and town roads.
98% 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: 100.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 168.6 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
Mostly flat terrain
1,051 ft
587 ft
Total Climb
828 ft
Total Descent
465 ft
Highest Point
1,051 ft
~48.2 mi in
Elevation Range
465 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Dearborn, MI
Full guide →Founded 1786
Dearborn is a city in Wayne County in the state of Michigan. This article also covers the adjacent community of Dearborn Heights.
Top landmarks
- • The Henry Ford — museum of history in Dearborn, Michigan, United States
- • Ford River Rouge Complex — industrial park in Dearborn, Michigan, United States
- • Fair Lane — Henry Ford's estate in Dearborn, Michigan
Arriving in West Branch, MI
Full guide →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 3m. Total distance: 168.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.3 miles on I 75. 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 West Branch, 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 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 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at West Branch, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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