This 171.4-mile drive from Clare County, MI, to Livonia, MI, is estimated to take about 2 hours and 35 minutes. It's a single-day trip, perfect for a quick journey between two points within the Midwest. Expect to spend around $26 on fuel for this route. The drive is characterized by frequent turns on local roads rather than long stretches of highway. With just one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
86.6 miles from Clare County, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
47.3 mi
50m
US 10
46.1 mi
46m
US 23
30.9 mi
33m
I 96
14.9 mi
15m
US 127 BUS
12 mi
12m
I 275
6.1 mi
6m
Jeffries Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
North Coolidge Avenue
2 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 47.3 mi, about 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clare County, MI and Livonia, MI.
1
Start on this road
0.3 mi·1 min·this road
2
Turn right onto West Larch Road
0.2 mi·49 sec·West Larch Road
3
Turn left onto North Coolidge Avenue
2.0 mi·7 min·North Coolidge Avenue
4
Turn right onto M 61
1.9 mi·2 min·State Highway 61
5
Continue on M 61
0.7 mi·1 min·Main Street
6
Turn right onto US 127 BUS; M 61
0.4 mi·33 sec·South 1st Street
7
Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61
0.4 mi·41 sec·East Park Street
8
Continue on US 127 BUS; M 61
1.8 mi·2 min·North Clare Avenue
9
Take the ramp onto US 127 BUS
12 mi·12 min·US 127 BUS
10
Take the exit onto US 10
46 mi·46 min·US 10
Toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 140AToward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
12
Merge onto I 75; US 23
36 mi·38 min·I 75; US 23
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi·33 min·US 23
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·37 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
17
Merge onto I 96
15 mi·15 min·I 96
Use the straight lane.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·34 sec
Exit 163Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·29 sec
20
Continue on I 275; I 96
6.1 mi·6 min·I 275; I 96
21
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 96 East: DetroitUse the slight left lane.
22
Merge onto I 96
3.3 mi·3 min·Jeffries Freeway
Toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 175Toward Merriman RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road
477 ft·14 sec·Schoolcraft Road
25
Turn right onto Merriman Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Merriman Road
26
Turn right
98 ft·9 sec
27
Turn right
31 ft·2 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour and 35 minute duration and 171.4-mile distance, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Livonia, MI, with flexibility. The estimated fuel cost is $26, so ensure your tank is full before departing Clare County, MI. Since this is a single-day trip with only one recommended stop, you can decide on your pacing as you go. Pay close attention to your navigation system, as the "turn-heavy local drive" profile means you'll be making frequent turns on West Larch Road, North Coolidge Avenue, and Highway 61.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 86.6 miles from Clare County, MI, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 38 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86.6 miles or 1h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Livonia, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Clare County, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Clare County, MI
This is one driving day of about 173.2 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Clare County, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 47.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 171.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|West Larch Road
Turn right onto West Larch Road
Navigation decision point
6
65.7 mi into trip|~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 140A
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
8
160 mi into trip|~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 163
Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
6
167.1 mi into trip|~3h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 96 East: Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
7
171.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward Merriman Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward Merriman Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.08 one way
$54.16 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg61 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$29.73
$59.46
premium
$4.89
$33.33
$66.66
diesel
$5.61
$38.24
$76.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
52
0
$18.19
$8.31
Efficient EV
43.3
0
$15.15
$6.93
EV Truck/SUV
69.3
0
$24.25
$11.08
Gas CO2
61 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Clare County, MI
Afternoon
in Clare County on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Livonia, MI
Afternoon
in Livonia on Sunday
Local time
4:23 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
22 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 15m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a "turn-heavy local drive" experience, meaning you'll be navigating a series of local roads with a 0% highway share. You won't encounter any long, uninterrupted stretches of highway here; instead, anticipate a more engaging driving experience with frequent changes in direction. The roads will likely feel more intimate and connected to the local landscape as you make your way through Michigan. This type of drive requires your attention to road signs and navigation.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.3 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near West Larch Road.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 173.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (West Larch Road): Navigation decision point; at 65.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clare County, MI and Livonia, MI, road signs point toward Bay City, M 5 North: Detroit and Toledo.
Bay City
19.6 mi in|~30m|via US 10
M 5 North: Detroit
160 mi in|~2h 58m
Toledo
160 mi in|~2h 58m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 173.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 47.3 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Livonia, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (West Larch Road): Navigation decision point; at 65.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Livonia, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
