How far is Dearborn, MI from Ludington, MI?
The driving distance from Dearborn, MI to Ludington, MI is about 249.8 miles (402 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 200 miles (321.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 14m 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 37m.
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.
City in Ionia County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dearborn and Ludington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn and Ludington.
-
1
Start on Michigan Avenue
24 m · 7 sec · Michigan Avenue
-
2
Turn left onto Schaefer Road
2572 ft · 1 min · Schaefer Road
-
3
Turn right onto Ford Road
159 m · 11 sec · Ford Road
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4
Continue on Ford Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Ford Road
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5
Turn slight right
1987 ft · 1 min
-
6
Turn straight onto North M 39 Service Drive
107 m · 8 sec · North M 39 Service Drive
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7
Take the ramp straight toward M 39 North
146 m · 12 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Southfield Freeway
8.5 mi · 12 min · Southfield Freeway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on M 10 North: Lansing
2572 ft · 1 min
-
10
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
3.9 mi · 4 min · John C Lodge Freeway
-
11
Take the exit slight left toward I 696 West: Lansing
2310 ft · 56 sec
-
12
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.2 mi · 9 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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13
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
-
14
Keep slight left
54.8 mi · 59 min
-
15
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 West: Grand Rapids
53.7 mi · 58 min
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
36.9 mi · 40 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 North: Muskegon, Ludington
2543 ft · 1 min
-
18
Merge slight left
55.9 mi · 58 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward US 31 Business: Ludington
2596 ft · 1 min
-
20
Turn left onto South Pere Marquette Highway
3.2 mi · 5 min · South Pere Marquette Highway
-
21
At the end of the road, turn left onto West US Highway 10
3046 ft · 1 min · West US Highway 10
-
22
Continue on East Ludington Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Ludington Avenue
-
23
Turn left
34 m · 7 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dearborn and Ludington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 31 North
Merge slight left
55.9 mi · 00h 58m
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 leaving Dearborn and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Ludington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dearborn to Ludington?
The road trip is about 249.8 miles (402 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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?
Saranac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.8 miles from Dearborn and 125.1 miles from Ludington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 200 miles (321.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.8 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 7:46 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.26 one way or $66.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Dearborn and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Ludington.
Stop Ideas Near Saranac
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 Saranac.
Rockford, Michigan
Vernon J. Ehlers Station
Howard City, Michigan
East Lansing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dearborn and Ludington. Straight-line distance: 200.01 mi (321.89 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 Ludington
City in Mason County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 8,096 |
| Coordinates | 43.9552800, -86.4525800 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ludington (-86.45258, 43.95528)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.26 | $66.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.51 | $75.02 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $41.05 | $82.10 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.78 | $93.56 |
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 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.