How far is Brighton, MI from Dearborn, MI?
The driving distance from Brighton, MI to Dearborn, MI is about 42.3 miles (68 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 34 miles (54.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 24m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The second most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brighton and Dearborn.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton and Dearborn.
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1
Start on East Grand River Avenue
15 m · 8 sec · East Grand River Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
2451 ft · 1 min · East Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Spencer Street
1195 ft · 34 sec · Spencer Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-96 EAST: Detroit
1.1 km · 1 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on US 23 North, I 96 East: Flint, Detroit
1844 ft · 22 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
3040 ft · 37 sec
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7
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 16 min
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8
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
4.1 mi · 5 min · John C Lodge Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward M 39
3081 ft · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Southfield Freeway
8.2 mi · 11 min · Southfield Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward M 153
625 ft · 18 sec
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13
Continue on South M 39 Service Drive
1815 ft · 39 sec · South M 39 Service Drive
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14
Turn slight right onto Ford Road
1082 ft · 37 sec
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15
Turn straight onto Ford Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Ford Road
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16
Turn right onto Schaefer Road
2572 ft · 1 min · Schaefer Road
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17
Turn right onto Michigan Avenue
24 m · 2 sec · Michigan Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Michigan Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brighton 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
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Brighton 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 Brighton to Dearborn?
The road trip is about 42.3 miles (68 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Farmington Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.1 miles from Brighton and 21.1 miles from Dearborn.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 34 miles (54.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.62 one way or $11.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Brighton and Mostly Sunny near Dearborn.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington Hills
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 Farmington Hills.
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Pontiac Transportation Center
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brighton and Dearborn. Straight-line distance: 33.96 mi (54.66 km).
#1 Brighton
Suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States
| Population | 18,895 |
| Coordinates | 42.5294800, -83.7802200 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| 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: 68 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 24m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $5.62 | $11.24 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.34 | $12.67 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $6.93 | $13.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $7.90 | $15.81 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.