East Jordan to Livonia is 254.8 miles and takes about 4h 38m via I 75, US 23, and I 96, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Michigan, connecting two points in the Midwest. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a direct route between these two locations without many detours. Plan for a fairly quick travel day, as the estimated drive time is under five hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.4 miles from East Jordan, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
166.6 mi
2h 50m
US 23
30.9 mi
33m
I 96
14.9 mi
15m
M-32 Highway
12.4 mi
16m
West M-32 Highway
9.8 mi
14m
I 275
6.1 mi
6m
M 32
3.8 mi
5m
Jeffries Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 166.6 mi, about 2h 50m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,952 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,330
Quietest
2 AM
~89 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between East Jordan, MI and Livonia, MI.
1
Start on 3rd Street
0.3 mi·1 min·3rd Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto M 32; C-48
0.3 mi·26 sec·State Street
3
Turn right onto M 32
0.9 mi·1 min·Maple Street
4
Continue on M 32
3.8 mi·5 min·M 32
5
Continue on M 32
9.8 mi·14 min·West M-32 Highway
6
At end of road, turn right onto US 131; M 32
0.6 mi·50 sec·North US 131 Highway
7
Turn left onto M 32
12 mi·16 min·M-32 Highway
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 75 South
9
Merge onto I 75
31 mi·31 min·I 75
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
124 mi·2 hr 7 min·I 75
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi·33 min·US 23
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·37 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
15
Merge onto I 96
15 mi·15 min·I 96
Use the straight lane.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·34 sec
Exit 163Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·29 sec
18
Continue on I 275; I 96
6.1 mi·6 min·I 275; I 96
19
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 96 East: DetroitUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 96
3.3 mi·3 min·Jeffries Freeway
Toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 175Toward Merriman RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road
477 ft·14 sec·Schoolcraft Road
23
Turn right onto Merriman Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Merriman Road
24
Turn right
98 ft·9 sec
25
Turn right
31 ft·2 sec
26
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4h 38m drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. Since the route is just over 250 miles and primarily highway, you can comfortably complete it in one day. The estimated fuel cost is $38, so ensure your tank is full before departing East Jordan. While there's only one indicated stop, you might want to plan a brief break around the halfway point, perhaps after covering the 166.6-mile stretch on I 75, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on traffic as you get closer to the Detroit metropolitan area.
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 127.4 miles from East Jordan, MI, or about 2h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 166.6 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 56 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.4 miles or 2h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 46m
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 East Jordan, 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 East Jordan, MI
This is one driving day of about 254.8 miles and 4h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from East Jordan, 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 166.6 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 253.4 — 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|M 32; C-48 / State Street
At end of road, turn left onto M 32; C-48 / State Street
Navigation decision point
6
59.8 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
8
241.7 mi into trip|~4h 21m 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
248.8 mi into trip|~4h 29m 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
253.4 mi into trip|~4h 35m 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
$42.50 one way
$85.01 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg89 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$46.20
$92.39
premium
$5.26
$52.76
$105.51
diesel
$6.18
$61.98
$123.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.4
0
$26.75
$12.23
Efficient EV
63.7
0
$22.30
$10.19
EV Truck/SUV
101.9
1
$35.67
$16.31
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
East Jordan, MI
Morning
in East Jordan on Sunday
Local time
7:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Livonia, MI
Morning
in Livonia on Sunday
Local time
7:59 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Sunny
W 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
42°F
West Branch, MI
127 mi in
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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 38m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 87% of this drive on highways, covering a significant 225.5 miles on I 75. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 166.6 miles, also on I 75. Expect a consistent cruising experience for most of the trip, with exits becoming more frequent as you approach your destination. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen closer to Livonia.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 166.6 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 23. 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 M 32; C-48 / State Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 254.8 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 (M 32; C-48 / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 59.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,337 ft615 ft
Total Climb
1,243 ft
Total Descent
1,256 ft
Highest Point
1,337 ft
~36.4 mi in
Elevation Range
721 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between East Jordan, MI and Livonia, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M 5 North: Detroit and Toledo.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 38m. Total distance: 254.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 166.6 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (M 32; C-48 / State Street): Navigation decision point; at 59.8 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 241.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Livonia, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
