Leave Detroit shortly after dawn and merge onto I-94 W, stopping in Jackson, MI for a hearty breakfast at The Rex Family Restaurant or a quick coffee and pastry at Pathways Coffee; top off fuel and check tire pressure at the Pilot Flying J just off the interstate so the car is ready for the long run. Continue west across Michigan and into Indiana, enjoying the changing landscapes as you pass Kalamazoo and South Bend — plan a brief rest at the Indiana Welcome Center for a stretch and photos to break up the first driving leg.
After crossing into Illinois, stop in Joliet or the Bloomington area for lunch at a highway-friendly spot like Cozy Dog Drive In (Route 66 nostalgia) or a chain with reliable parking, then refuel and swap drivers if possible to stay fresh. Push on across central Illinois and into Missouri, using the Columbia or Jefferson City area for a mid-afternoon comfort break and a short walk in a city park; keep an eye on weather and road conditions and adjust pace to hit Kansas before nightfall.
Arrive in Lebanon, KS in the early evening and unwind with dinner at a local favorite such as the Lebanon Grocery & Cafe or a family-friendly diner nearby, where you can enjoy homestyle Kansas comfort food and swap road stories. Check into your chosen lodging, top off the tank for the next day's travel, and take a short walk around the town square or pull into nearby Smith Park to stretch before turning in — a calm end to a long but rewarding driving day.