New Buffalo, MI to Dearborn, MI is 208.8 miles and takes about 3h 48m via I 94, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Michigan, traversing the Midwest region for both its start and end points. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused journey that's ideal for a single-day trip. Given the relatively short duration and high highway share, this drive is about efficient travel rather than extended sightseeing. Consider this a practical option when you need to get from Southwest Michigan to the Detroit area without much fuss.
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
104.4 miles from New Buffalo, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
203.9 mi
3h 38m
Schaefer Road
1.6 mi
3m
West Buffalo Street
1.3 mi
2m
Pulaski Highway
0.6 mi
<1m
East Buffalo Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Butler Road
0.1 mi
<1m
Michigan Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 203.9 mi, about 3h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Buffalo, MI and Dearborn, MI.
1
Start on US 12
1.3 mi·2 min·West Buffalo Street
2
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi·15 sec·East Buffalo Street
3
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi·17 sec·Pulaski Highway
4
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi·31 sec·Pulaski Highway
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
6
Merge onto I 94
30 mi·32 min·I 94
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
137 mi·2 hr 27 min·I 94
Toward I 94: DetroitUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94
37 mi·39 min·I 94
Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann ArborUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 208Toward Greenfield Road, Schaefer RoadUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward Schaefer Road
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward Schaefer Road, Butler RoadUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto Butler Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·Butler Road
13
At end of road, turn left onto Schaefer Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Schaefer Road
14
Turn left onto US 12
79 ft·1 sec·Michigan Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
US 12
Trip Plan
With a drive time under four hours and a fuel cost estimated at $33, this is a very manageable same-day trip. Leaving New Buffalo in the morning will give you ample time to reach Dearborn well before evening. The longest stretch on I 94 means you can settle in, but be mindful of potential traffic as you get closer to the Detroit metropolitan area. Plan for one stop to break up the drive; a rest area or a quick stop at a service plaza along I 94 would be ideal. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as it's a long stretch on the interstate before you reach Dearborn.
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 104.4 miles from New Buffalo, MI, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.9 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 46 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.4 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
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 New Buffalo, 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 New Buffalo, MI
This is one driving day of about 208.8 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from New Buffalo, 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 94 for about 203.9 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 32.3 and 208.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
32.3 mi into trip|~35m in|I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94: Detroit
8
169.7 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 94
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 94, I 94 Business: Detroit, Ann Arbor
8
206.2 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward Greenfield Road, Schaefer Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 208
Toward Greenfield Road, Schaefer Road
8
206.9 mi into trip|~3h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Schaefer Road, Butler Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Schaefer Road, Butler Road
6
208.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in|US 12 / Michigan Avenue
Turn left onto US 12 / Michigan Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.64 one way
$65.29 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$35.84
$71.68
premium
$4.89
$40.18
$80.36
diesel
$5.61
$46.10
$92.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.92
$10.02
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.27
$8.35
EV Truck/SUV
83.5
1
$29.23
$13.36
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 18, 2026
Origin
New Buffalo, MI
Morning
in New Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
9:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dearborn, MI
Morning
in Dearborn on Tuesday
Local time
9:20 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 13 to 16 mph85% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 18 at 10:50AM EDT until April 19 at 6:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 10:42AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
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
9 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
3h 48m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 94, experiencing a nearly uninterrupted stretch of 203.9 miles. The journey begins on local roads like West Buffalo Street before quickly merging onto the interstate. The character of the drive remains consistent for most of the trip, offering a predictable and efficient experience for those comfortable with sustained highway speeds. Schaefer Road marks the final segment as you approach your destination.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.9 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and Schaefer Road. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 32.3 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort6/10
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 208.8 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: at 32.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 New Buffalo, MI to Dearborn, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Arbor along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 208.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m 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 203.9 miles on I 94. 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 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: at 32.3 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.7 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Dearborn, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
