Davisburg Rest Area 908
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Dearborn, MI to Wheeler, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
131.6 mi
212 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dearborn, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Wheeler, MI
Heriberto Jahir Medina
Trip Overview
Dearborn, MI to Wheeler, MI is 131.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m via North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway and I-75, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest, connecting two points in Michigan. With most of the drive on highways, you'll likely experience a straightforward trip with minimal fuss. Plan for a single-day excursion, as the distance and duration are easily manageable.
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
65.8 miles from Dearborn, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway | 57.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| I 75 | 37.8 mi | 40m |
| Gratiot Road | 16.7 mi | 19m |
| Edsel Ford Freeway | 5.6 mi | 7m |
| East Monroe Road | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Sheridan Avenue | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Holland Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Gratiot Avenue | 1.3 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 47 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,600 veh/hr typical · worst 4,745
Quietest
2 AM
~240 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Wheeler, 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
38 mi
·
40 min
·
I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 149
Toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
10
Enter roundabout onto M 46
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
11
Continue on M 46
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
12
Enter roundabout onto M 46
106 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Holland Avenue
13
Continue on M 46
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Holland Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Turn slight right onto M 46
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Remington Street
15
Turn left onto M 46
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Avenue
16
Continue on M 46
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
Williams Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Gratiot Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on M 46
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Gratiot Road
19
Continue on M 46
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Saginaw Street
20
Continue on M 46
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
North Saginaw Street
21
Continue on M 46
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Gratiot Road
22
Continue on M 46
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Saginaw Street
23
Continue on M 46
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Saginaw Street
24
Continue on M 46
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Gratiot Road
25
Continue on M 46
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
East Monroe Road
26
Turn right onto North Wheeler Road
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Wheeler Road
27
Turn right onto Chestnut Street
378 ft
·
16 sec
·
Chestnut Street
28
Arrive at destination
Chestnut Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a single-day drive of just 2.5 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving mid-morning should allow you to avoid peak commuter traffic in the Dearborn area. The estimated fuel cost is $23, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before you depart. While there's only one recommended stop, you can easily pull over as needed during the 57.6-mile highway stretch if you need a break.
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 65.8 miles from Dearborn, MI, or about 1h 14m 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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.8 miles or 1h 14m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheeler, 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 131.6 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 65.8 miles from Dearborn, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Dodge Road Rest Area 631
0.1 mi from route
Clarkston Rest Area 904
0.1 mi from route
Clio Rest Area 612
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 102.7 — 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.
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
102.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 53m in
Take the exit toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 149
Toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.88 one way
$43.76 round trip
$4.22/gal
25.4 MPG avg
46 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.60 | $23.83 | $47.67 |
| premium | $5.18 | $26.85 | $53.71 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $27.72 | $55.44 |
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: 46 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
| Efficient EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.52 | $5.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.6 | 0 | $18.42 | $8.42 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Origin
Dearborn, MI
Evening in Dearborn on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Sunny
WNW 3 to 13 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued May 10 at 2:28AM EDT until May 11 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued May 10 at 2:28AM EDT until May 11 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Wheeler, MI
Evening in Wheeler on Wednesday
Local time
5:28 PM
EDT
Current temp
83°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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 30m 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?
You'll spend about 77% of the 131.6 miles on highways, experiencing a predominantly freeway drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 57.6 miles, which will be on the North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway. The transition to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination, likely involving more local traffic and intersections.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 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?
7/10
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 Effort
7/10
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 131.6 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
1,057 ft
591 ft
Total Climb
584 ft
Total Descent
455 ft
Highest Point
1,057 ft
~47 mi in
Elevation Range
465 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dearborn, MI and Wheeler, MI, road signs point toward Toledo, M 46: Buena Vista and Sandusky.
Toledo
6.8 mi in
|
~10m
M 46: Buena Vista
102.7 mi in
|
~1h 53m
Sandusky
102.7 mi in
|
~1h 53m
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 Wheeler, 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 2h 30m. Total distance: 131.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). 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 10 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 Wheeler, 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 10 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Wheeler, 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, 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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