Origin
Ypsilanti, MI
Late night in Ypsilanti on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ypsilanti, MI to Southfield, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
47m
Distance
35.1 mi
56 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ypsilanti, MI
fish socks
Southfield, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 35.1-mile drive from Ypsilanti to Southfield, Michigan, is a straightforward highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in about 47 minutes. Designed as a single-day trip, you won't need to worry about overnight stays. The estimated fuel cost is around $5, making it an economical option for a quick transit. Primarily utilizing I-96, I-275, and the Southfield Freeway, this route keeps you on the fast track through the Midwest region. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 8.8 mi | 9m |
| I 275 | 6.9 mi | 7m |
| Southfield Freeway | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| US 12 BUS | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| West Michigan Avenue | 4.5 mi | 7m |
| Jeffries Freeway (Local) | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Southfield Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West 10 Mile Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 8.8 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ypsilanti, MI and Southfield, MI.
1
Start on US 12 BUS; M 17
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
West Michigan Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
2
Continue on US 12 BUS; M 17
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
West Michigan Avenue
3
Take the ramp onto US 12 BUS
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
US 12 BUS
Toward US 12 EAST: Canton
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 275 North: Flint
5
Merge onto I 275
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 29
Toward I 96 East, M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
Use the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 96
8.8 mi
·
9 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Jeffries Freeway (Local)
Toward I 96 Local: To All Exits
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 183
Toward M 39: Southfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 39 North: Southfield Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto M 39
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Southfield Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Southfield Road
14
Turn straight onto Southfield Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Southfield Road
15
Turn left onto West 10 Mile Road
192 ft
·
4 sec
·
West 10 Mile Road
Use the left lane.
16
Arrive at destination
West 10 Mile Road
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
18 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 17.5 miles from Ypsilanti, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 16.7 and 28.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 96 East, M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor
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 29
Toward I 96 East, M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor
7
16.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 96 East: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
7
26.2 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local)
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local) toward I 96 Local: To All Exits
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 Local: To All Exits
7
28.1 mi into trip
|
~36m in
Take the exit toward M 39: Southfield Freeway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 183
Toward M 39: Southfield Freeway
7
28.4 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward M 39 North: Southfield Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward M 39 North: Southfield Freeway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.49 one way
$10.97 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
12 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $6.03 | $12.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $6.75 | $13.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.75 | $15.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.69 | $1.68 |
| Efficient EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.07 | $1.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14 | 0 | $4.91 | $2.25 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 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
Southfield, MI
Late night in Southfield on Sunday
Local time
3:31 AM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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
47m 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-centric experience on this route, with 79% of the drive taking place on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 8.8 miles on I-96, offering a good period of consistent speed. You'll transition between I-96, I-275, and the Southfield Freeway, each providing a similar fast-paced driving environment. This isn't a route for scenic overlooks; it's built for covering ground efficiently, so be prepared for a steady flow of traffic common to major Michigan freeways.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 8.8 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and I 275. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 35.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 47m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local)): 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 Ypsilanti, MI and Southfield, MI, road signs point toward M 14: Detroit and Ann Arbor.
M 14: Detroit
16.7 mi in
|
~22m
Ann Arbor
16.7 mi in
|
~22m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 47m. Total distance: 35.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 8.8 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 Southfield, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.2 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Local)): 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 Southfield, 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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