Origin
Kentwood, MI
Morning in Kentwood on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 AM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kentwood, MI to Dearborn, MI
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 54m
Distance
153.4 mi
247 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 43m
★
6 AM
2h 54m
8 AM
3h 17m
10 AM
3h 2m
12 PM
3h 0m
3 PM
3h 3m
5 PM
3h 16m
8 PM
2h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kentwood, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Dearborn, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 153.4-mile drive from Kentwood, MI to Dearborn, MI is an easy day trip, taking about 2 hours and 54 minutes. With 95% of the route on highways, it's a straightforward journey through the Midwest. The estimated fuel cost is around $24, making it an economical option. You'll spend most of your time on I-96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, and Southfield Freeway. This route is ideal for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to break up the drive.
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
76.7 miles from Kentwood, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 116.9 mi | 2h 5m |
| Walter P Reuther Freeway | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| Southfield Freeway | 8.2 mi | 11m |
| Paul B. Henry Freeway | 7.8 mi | 8m |
| John C Lodge Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Ford Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| 60th Street Southeast | 1 mi | 1m |
| Eastern Avenue Southeast | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 116.9 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kentwood, MI and Dearborn, MI.
1
Start on this road
120 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto 52nd Street Southeast
165 ft
·
11 sec
·
52nd Street Southeast
3
Turn left onto Eastern Avenue Southeast
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Eastern Avenue Southeast
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto 60th Street Southeast
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
60th Street Southeast
5
Turn right onto Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward M-6 East: Lansing
Use the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto M 6
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Paul B. Henry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I-96 East: Lansing
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 96
50 mi
·
53 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
67 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
I 96
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on I 696
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Toward I 696 East, M 5 East: Port Huron
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto M 10
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
John C Lodge Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 14C
Toward M 39
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto M 39
8.2 mi
·
11 min
·
Southfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 7
Toward M 153
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on South M 39 Service Drive
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
South M 39 Service Drive
17
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Ford Road
18
Turn straight onto M 153
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Ford Road
19
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Schaefer Road
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto US 12
79 ft
·
1 sec
·
Michigan Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
US 12
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 3 hours, this drive from Kentwood to Dearborn is best tackled in a single day. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without an exit is 116.9 miles on I-96. Consider departing in the morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Dearborn, especially if your arrival coincides with peak commuting times. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility to depart at your convenience and make good time.
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 76.7 miles from Kentwood, MI, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 116.9 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 34 miles or 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 76.7 miles or 1h 25m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dearborn, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kentwood, 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 Kentwood, MI
This is one driving day of about 153.4 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Kentwood, 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 116.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
77 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 76.7 miles from Kentwood, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 116.9 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 150.2 — 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
|
52nd Street Southeast
At end of road, turn right onto 52nd Street Southeast
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
10.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I-96 East: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-96 East: Lansing
7
61.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m in
|
I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 East: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
7
141.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
Take the exit toward M 39
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 14C
Toward M 39
7
150.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
Take the exit toward M 153
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 7
Toward M 153
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.98 one way
$47.96 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
54 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $26.33 | $52.66 |
| premium | $4.89 | $29.52 | $59.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.87 | $67.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 53.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46 | 0 | $16.11 | $7.36 |
| Efficient EV | 38.4 | 0 | $13.42 | $6.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 61.4 | 0 | $21.48 | $9.82 |
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Destination
Dearborn, MI
Morning in Dearborn on Tuesday
Local time
6:35 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
15 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 54m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience for this 153.4-mile trip, with 95% of your travel time spent on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 116.9 miles on I-96, offering a consistent pace. The route primarily utilizes major freeways like I-96, Walter P Reuther Freeway, and Southfield Freeway, meaning you'll be navigating a fast-paced environment for the majority of your journey. This drive is less about scenic detours and more about efficient travel between these two Michigan cities.
95% 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: 116.9 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Walter P Reuther Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 52nd Street Southeast.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 153.4 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: near the start (52nd Street Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kentwood, MI and Dearborn, MI, road signs point toward M 5 East: Port Huron and M 39.
M 5 East: Port Huron
128.4 mi in
|
~2h 20m
|
via I 696
M 39
141.4 mi in
|
~2h 35m
About the Cities
Arriving 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 54m. Total distance: 153.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 116.9 miles on I 96. 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 Dearborn, 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 (52nd Street Southeast): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 10.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 61.5 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dearborn, 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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