How far is Dearborn, MI from Nelson, MI?
The driving distance from Dearborn, MI to Nelson, MI is about 126.2 miles (203.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88 miles (141.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 28m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Genesee County, Michigan, United States
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 Dearborn and Nelson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dearborn and Nelson.
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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
37.8 mi · 40 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
1287 ft · 45 sec
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Holland Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · East Holland Avenue
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11
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1099 ft · 16 sec · East Holland Avenue
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Holland Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · East Holland Avenue
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13
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Holland Avenue
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14
Turn slight right onto East Remington Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Remington Street
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15
Turn left onto Sheridan Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheridan Avenue
-
16
Continue on Williams Street
2311 ft · 34 sec · Williams Street
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17
Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Avenue
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18
Continue on Gratiot Road
11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
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19
Continue on East Saginaw Street
1324 ft · 22 sec · East Saginaw Street
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20
Turn left onto South Hemlock Road
5.6 mi · 13 min · South Hemlock Road
-
21
Turn right onto Nelson Road
40 m · 6 sec · Nelson Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Nelson Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dearborn and Nelson.
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 comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny leaving Dearborn and Mostly Sunny near Nelson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dearborn to Nelson?
The road trip is about 126.2 miles (203.1 km) and usually takes 02h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Grand Blanc is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.1 miles from Dearborn and 63.1 miles from Nelson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88 miles (141.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:32 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.78 one way or $33.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Dearborn and Mostly Sunny near Nelson.
Stop Ideas Near Grand Blanc
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 Grand Blanc.
Flint station
Durand Union Station
Lapeer station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dearborn and Nelson. Straight-line distance: 87.96 mi (141.56 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 Nelson
Township in Saginaw County, Michigan
| Population | 5,142 |
| Coordinates | 43.3341900, -84.2297100 |
| Altitude | 190 |
| Country | United States |
End: Nelson (-84.22971, 43.33419)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 203 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.78 | $33.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.93 | $37.85 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.71 | $41.42 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.60 | $47.21 |
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.