How far is Dearborn, MI from Alpena, MI?
The driving distance from Dearborn, MI to Alpena, MI is about 254.4 miles (409.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.7 miles (305.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 42m 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 04h 51m.
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 Newaygo County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dearborn and Alpena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn and Alpena.
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1
Start on Michigan Avenue
3091 ft · 1 min · Michigan Avenue
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2
Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East: Detroit
1761 ft · 43 sec
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3
Merge slight left onto Detroit Industrial Expressway
1488 ft · 23 sec · Detroit Industrial Expressway
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4
Continue on Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
92 m · 6 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
2575 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
57.6 mi · 1 hr 2 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
52.4 mi · 56 min
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9
Keep slight left
26.6 mi · 27 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
2011 ft · 51 sec
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11
Turn right onto M-61
2.1 mi · 3 min · M-61
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12
Continue on West Cedar Street
3191 ft · 1 min · West Cedar Street
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13
Turn left onto North Main Street
2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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14
Continue on West Huron Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road
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15
Continue on West Center Road
1 km · 1 min · West Center Road
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16
Continue on East Huron Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Huron Road
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17
Turn left onto North Hale Road
4 mi · 5 min · North Hale Road
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18
Continue on State Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Street
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19
Continue on Hale Road
2.9 mi · 3 min · Hale Road
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20
Continue on State Highway 65
4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65
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21
Continue on South Bullock Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South Bullock Street
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22
Continue on State Highway 65
4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65
-
23
Continue on M 65
4.4 mi · 5 min · M 65
-
24
Continue on State Highway 65
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 65
-
25
Continue on M 65
4 mi · 5 min · M 65
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26
Continue on State Highway 65
10.9 mi · 13 min · State Highway 65
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27
Continue on Baker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Baker Road
-
28
Continue on South State Road
3.2 mi · 4 min · South State Road
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29
Continue on State Highway 65
38.8 mi · 45 min · State Highway 65
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30
Continue straight
15.7 mi · 20 min
-
31
Turn right onto East Chisholm Street
83 m · 9 sec · East Chisholm Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chisholm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dearborn and Alpena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
57.6 mi · 01h 02m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Dearborn and Chance Rain Showers near Alpena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dearborn to Alpena?
The road trip is about 254.4 miles (409.4 km) and usually takes 04h 51m 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?
Beaver is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.2 miles from Dearborn and 127.3 miles from Alpena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.7 miles (305.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.7 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 7:18 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.86 one way or $67.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Dearborn and Chance Rain Showers near Alpena.
Stop Ideas Near Beaver
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Beaver.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Tawas City, MI
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dearborn and Alpena. Straight-line distance: 189.71 mi (305.31 km).
#1 Dearborn
The most populous city in Wayne County, Michigan.
| Population | 93,367 |
| Coordinates | 42.3222600, -83.1763100 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alpena
City in and county seat of Alpena County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 8,696 |
| Coordinates | 45.0616800, -83.4327500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alpena (-83.43275, 45.06168)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 409 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.86 | $67.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.19 | $76.38 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.79 | $83.59 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $47.63 | $95.26 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.