How far is Big Prairie, MI from Dearborn, MI?
The driving distance from Big Prairie, MI to Dearborn, MI is about 203 miles (326.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.7 miles (240.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Township in Clinton County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Big Prairie and Dearborn.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Prairie and Dearborn.
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1
Start on South Elm Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · South Elm Avenue
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 36th Street
1811 ft · 35 sec · East 36th Street
-
3
Continue on Con Pow Co
894 ft · 30 sec · Con Pow Co
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4
Continue on Hardy Dam
2650 ft · 2 min · Hardy Dam
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5
Continue on East 40th Street
146 m · 20 sec · East 40th Street
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6
Turn left onto Croton Hardy Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Croton Hardy Drive
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7
Continue on East 36th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · East 36th Street
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8
Continue on Jefferson Road
3.7 mi · 9 min · Jefferson Road
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9
Take the ramp right toward US 131 South: Grand Rapids
2504 ft · 1 min
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10
Merge slight left
35.3 mi · 36 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 96 East, M 37 South: Lansing
1009 ft · 34 sec
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12
Merge slight left
65.1 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
66.9 mi · 1 hr 12 min
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14
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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15
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward M 39
3081 ft · 1 min
-
17
Merge slight left onto Southfield Freeway
8.2 mi · 11 min · Southfield Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward M 153
625 ft · 18 sec
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19
Continue on South M 39 Service Drive
1815 ft · 39 sec · South M 39 Service Drive
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20
Turn slight right onto Ford Road
1082 ft · 37 sec
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21
Turn straight onto Ford Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Ford Road
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22
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
2572 ft · 1 min · Schaefer Road
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23
Turn right onto Michigan Avenue
24 m · 2 sec · Michigan Avenue
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Michigan Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Prairie and Dearborn.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 96 East
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
66.9 mi · 01h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Big Prairie and Mostly Sunny near Dearborn.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Big Prairie to Dearborn?
The road trip is about 203 miles (326.7 km) and usually takes 03h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Wacousta is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.4 miles from Big Prairie and 101.7 miles from Dearborn.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.7 miles (240.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.00 one way or $54.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Big Prairie and Mostly Sunny near Dearborn.
Stop Ideas Near Wacousta
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Wacousta.
East Lansing station
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Albion station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Big Prairie and Dearborn. Straight-line distance: 149.67 mi (240.87 km).
#1 Big Prairie
Township in Newaygo County, Michigan
| Population | 2,691 |
| Coordinates | 43.5186300, -85.6425500 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dearborn
The most populous city in Wayne County, Michigan.
| Population | 93,367 |
| Coordinates | 42.3222600, -83.1763100 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Michigan Avenue (-83.176219, 42.322088)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 327 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.00 | $54.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.45 | $60.90 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.32 | $66.65 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.98 | $75.95 |
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 · May 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.