The Quickest and Slowest Routes from Brighton to South Lyon, Michigan

When it comes to traveling from Brighton, Michigan to South Lyon, Michigan, there are several options for routes to take. Finding the best route for you may depend on your itinerary and whether speed or scenery is your priority. Here’s a list of the fastest and slowest routes that can be taken along with what to expect in terms of distance, travel time, and traffic patterns:

The Fastest Route:

The fastest route to get from Brighton to South Lyon would take you through I-96 W, to US-23 S to I-96 E which covers a distance of 15.7 miles in just about 20 minutes during rush hours. The journey would take you past Kensington Metropark, Island Lake Recreation Area, and Proud Lake State Recreation Area. Outside of rush hour traffic, it can take you approximately 15 minutes. Expect more cars on the road during morning rush hour (7 AM – 9 AM) and afternoon rush hour (4 PM – 6 PM).

The Longest Route:

The longest route possible from Brighton to South Lyon would take you through Old US Highway 23 to Eight Mile Rd then to 9 Mile Rd. This route is only 20 minutes longer but can take you by some really pretty parts of Michigan state forests. Although the distance of this route is 22.6 miles, you get to see the scenery of Huron River, Kensington Metropark, and Island Lake Recreation Center. This route also gets busy during rush hour traffic but outside of rush hour you can expect a peaceful trip to take 35 minutes.

The Scenic Route:

Driving at a leisurely pace it would be worth it to take the scenic route that passes through the Brighton Recreation Area via Chilson Rd to the Island Lake Recreation Area towards South Lyon. Even during the peak hours, the drive takes about 25 to 30 minutes and the distance comes to 21.7 miles. The route takes you through the Huron River and the Pinckney-Hamburg State Recreation Area with lots of natural beauty for nature lovers.

Shorter but Busier:

One final route to consider would undoubtedly save you some time. The shortest route would take you through a more densely populated suburban area. Starting on Silver Lake Road to Pontiac Trail headed towards 12 Mile. While it may not be the prettiest route, it covers a distance of 11.1 miles, taking approximately 20 minutes from Brighton to South Lyon. Traffic at rush hour can easily make the journey longer by 5-10 minutes.

In conclusion, when planning for a trip from Brighton to South Lyon, it’s important to consider factors like time, distance, and traffic patterns while choosing which route to take. Whether you’re looking to take a more scenic route, or if you're just looking to save time, the routes mentioned above offer different options to satisfy all types of travelers.