How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Sandusky, MI?

The driving distance from Ann Arbor, MI to Sandusky, MI is about 128.1 miles (206.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 91.5 miles (147.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
128.16 mi
02h 27m
Flight
91.46 mi
147.19 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ann Arbor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
91.46 mi
Kilometers
147.19 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
128.16 mi
Kilometers
206.25 km
Drive Time
02h 27m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sandusky
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 PM EDT
Return by in Ann Arbor
Thu, Apr 23, 2:57 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ann Arbor
2026-04-23T10:02
Arrive Sandusky
Thu, Apr 23, 12:29 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:28 AM to 12:28 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ann Arbor
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Davison
MI

City in Michigan

From Ann Arbor
64.1 mi
01h 13m
To Sandusky
64.1 mi
01h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
69°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ann Arbor and Sandusky.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor and Sandusky.

  1. 1

    Start on South State Street

    1325 ft · 43 sec · South State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Huron Street

    2058 ft · 1 min · East Huron Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit

    835 ft · 20 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep left to continue on US 23 North: Flint

    47.2 mi · 51 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69: Lansing, Port Huron

    1372 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 69: Lansing, Flint, Port Huron

    1182 ft · 25 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 69 East: Flint, Port Huron

    3089 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

    34.3 mi · 35 min · Chevrolet-Buick Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward M 53: Imlay City, Almont

    2596 ft · 1 min

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Van Dyke Road

    987 ft · 15 sec · Van Dyke Road

  13. 13

    Continue on South Cedar Street

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Cedar Street

  14. 14

    Continue on North Cedar Street

    3244 ft · 1 min · North Cedar Street

  15. 15

    Continue on North Van Dyke Road

    19.7 mi · 25 min · North Van Dyke Road

  16. 16

    Continue on Main Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  17. 17

    Continue on South Van Dyke Road

    5.2 mi · 6 min · South Van Dyke Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Sanilac Road

    11 mi · 12 min · Sanilac Road

  19. 19

    Continue on West Sanilac Avenue

    2 mi · 2 min · West Sanilac Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South Elk Street

    121 m · 12 sec · South Elk Street

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Lincoln Street

    20 m · 3 sec · Lincoln Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Lincoln Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ann Arbor and Sandusky.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 23 North
47.2 mi · 37%
Chevrolet-Buick Freeway
34.3 mi · 27%
North Van Dyke Road
19.7 mi · 15%
Sanilac Road
11 mi · 9%
South Van Dyke Road
5.25 mi · 4%
West Sanilac Avenue
1.97 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 23 North

Keep left to continue on US 23 North: Flint

47.2 mi · 00h 51m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 27m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.6 mi
91.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Davison
01h 13m from Ann Arbor
Leave By
1:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Ann Arbor and Sunny near Sandusky.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ann Arbor to Sandusky?

The road trip is about 128.1 miles (206.2 km) and usually takes 02h 27m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Davison is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Ann Arbor and 64.1 miles from Sandusky.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 91.5 miles (147.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.04 one way or $34.09 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ann Arbor and Sunny near Sandusky.

Stop Ideas Near Davison

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Davison, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Davison.

RAIL

Flint station

11 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
RAIL

Lapeer station

17 mi away
73 Howard St.
RAIL

Durand Union Station

40 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

48 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ann Arbor and Sandusky. Straight-line distance: 91.46 mi (147.19 km).

Ann Arbor

#1 Ann Arbor

The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Population119,280
Coordinates42.2775600, -83.7408800
Altitude269
CountryUnited States
Sandusky

#2 Sandusky

City in Michigan

Population2,494
Coordinates43.4203000, -82.8296600
Altitude235
CountryUnited States
Start: Ann Arbor (-83.74088, 42.27756)
End: Sandusky (-82.82966, 43.4203)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 206 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.52 gal
17.12 L · about $17.04
Round trip
$34.09
9.04 gal · 34.24 L
Estimated CO2
40.2 kg one way
Round trip: 80.3 kg / 177 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.04 $34.09
Mid-grade $4.25 $19.22 $38.45
Premium $4.65 $21.04 $42.07
Diesel $5.30 $23.97 $47.95

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Michigan · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Ann Arbor and Sandusky. The current time is 10:02:10.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.