How far is Dearborn, MI from Houghton Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Dearborn, MI to Houghton Lake, MI is about 194.8 miles (313.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 07m 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 33m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dearborn and Houghton Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn and Houghton Lake.
-
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
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on M 55 West: Houghton Lake, Cadillac
14.6 mi · 21 min
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11
Turn left onto Stone School Road
20 m · 3 sec · Stone School Road
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Stone School Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dearborn and Houghton Lake.
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 75
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Dearborn and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Houghton Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dearborn to Houghton Lake?
The road trip is about 194.8 miles (313.5 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.4 miles from Dearborn and 97.4 miles from Houghton Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.1 miles (256.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.7 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 9:52 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.91 one way or $51.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Dearborn and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers near Houghton Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Saginaw, MI
Bay City, MI
Flint station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dearborn and Houghton Lake. Straight-line distance: 159.14 mi (256.11 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 Houghton Lake
Unincorporated community in Roscommon County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 3,427 |
| Coordinates | 44.3147400, -84.7647500 |
| Altitude | 349 |
| Country | United States |
End: Houghton Lake (-84.76475, 44.31474)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.91 | $51.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.22 | $58.44 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.97 | $63.95 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.44 | $72.88 |
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 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.