Union City, MI to Dearborn, MI is 114.3 miles and takes about 2h 18m via I 94 and M-60, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive stays within Michigan, making it a straightforward trip for those in the Midwest region. You'll primarily be on interstates and well-maintained state highways, so expect a fairly efficient journey. With a total travel time under two and a half hours, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing plenty of time for your destination activities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
57.1 miles from Union City, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 94
71.3 mi
1h 16m
M-60
19.2 mi
25m
Spring Arbor Road
9.9 mi
13m
Homer-Concord Road
3 mi
4m
Homer Road
2.2 mi
2m
L Drive South
1.7 mi
2m
Schaefer Road
1.6 mi
3m
West Leroy Street
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 71.3 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Union City, MI and Dearborn, MI.
1
Start on Ellen Street
314 ft·20 sec·Ellen Street
2
Turn left onto North Broadway Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Broadway Street
3
Turn right onto M 60
3.0 mi·4 min·M-60
4
Continue on M 60
1.3 mi·1 min·West Leroy Street
5
Continue on M 60
13 mi·17 min·M-60
6
Continue on M 60
1.0 mi·1 min·West Leigh Street
7
Continue on M 60; M 99
1.5 mi·2 min·Homer-Concord Road
8
Turn slight right onto M 60; M 99
1.7 mi·2 min·L Drive South
9
Merge onto M 60
1.5 mi·2 min·Homer-Concord Road
10
Continue on M 60
2.2 mi·2 min·Homer Road
11
Continue on M 60
6.3 mi·8 min·Spring Arbor Road
12
Continue on M 60
0.9 mi·1 min·West Main Street
13
Continue on M 60
3.6 mi·5 min·Spring Arbor Road
14
Turn straight onto M 60
2.9 mi·3 min·M-60
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·57 sec
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
16
Merge onto I 94
35 mi·37 min·I 94
17
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.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 208Toward Greenfield Road, Schaefer RoadUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward Schaefer Road
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward Schaefer Road, Butler RoadUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto Butler Road
0.1 mi·14 sec·Butler Road
22
At end of road, turn left onto Schaefer Road
1.6 mi·3 min·Schaefer Road
23
Turn left onto US 12
79 ft·1 sec·Michigan Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Arrive at destination
US 12
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 18 minutes, you can comfortably start this drive any time of day and still make it to Dearborn with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a major road change is over 71 miles on I 94, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $18, it's an economical trip, but always double-check current prices. This is a simple, direct route, so focus on enjoying the drive and arriving refreshed at your destination.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 57.1 miles from Union City, MI, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 25 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 57.1 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 1h 53m
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 Union City, 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 Union City, MI
This is one driving day of about 114.3 miles and 2h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Union City, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 71.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 39.9 and 114.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
39.9 mi into trip|~55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 94 East: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 94 East: Detroit
8
75.1 mi into trip|~1h 33m 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
111.6 mi into trip|~2h 12m 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
112.3 mi into trip|~2h 14m 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
114.2 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|US 12 / Michigan Avenue
Turn left onto US 12 / Michigan Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.87 one way
$35.74 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg40 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$19.62
$39.24
premium
$4.89
$22.00
$43.99
diesel
$5.61
$25.24
$50.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.3
0
$12.00
$5.49
Efficient EV
28.6
0
$10.00
$4.57
EV Truck/SUV
45.7
0
$16.00
$7.32
Gas CO2
40 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (68% 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
Union City, MI
Morning
in Union City on Sunday
Local time
8:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dearborn, MI
Morning
in Dearborn on Sunday
Local time
8:53 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 to 14 mph76% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued April 18 at 3:10AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued April 18 at 3:10AM EDT until April 19 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
65°F
Chelsea, MI
57 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.
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
2h 18m 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 route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 62% of your journey on faster roads. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 71.3 miles on I 94, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The use of M-60 and Spring Arbor Road introduces some variation, though the overall character remains efficient. Expect a driving experience that prioritizes getting you to your destination smoothly rather than offering extensive scenic detours.
62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.3 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and M-60. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 39.9 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 12 significant decision points across 114.3 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 39.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 75.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.6 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 Union City, MI to Dearborn, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Ann Arbor along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 114.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (62%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.3 miles on I 94. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 39.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 75.1 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 111.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Dearborn, MI before heading back.
