Trip from Flat Rock, MI to Livonia, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 54m

Distance

431.1 mi

694 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$67

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 26 min

4 AM

7h 46m ★

6 AM

7h 55m

8 AM

8h 12m

10 AM

8h 1m

12 PM

7h 59m

3 PM

8h 2m

5 PM

8h 12m

8 PM

7h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Flat Rock, MI

GirlvsGlobe86

city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States

Livonia, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 431.3-mile journey from Flat Rock to Livonia, Michigan, is estimated to take about 6 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. With a fuel cost around $66, it's a manageable trip for a single day, recommended to be completed in one day. The route primarily utilizes local roads like County 416 20th Road, County 426 M, and County 420 21st Road, suggesting a more intimate driving experience rather than highway cruising. Since both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region of Michigan, you'll be staying within familiar territory. This drive offers a direct connection without the need for an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick trip.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

215.6 miles from Flat Rock, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 75	229.2 mi	3h 56m
US 2	133.2 mi	2h 37m
US 23	30.9 mi	33m
I 96	14.9 mi	15m
I 275	6.1 mi	6m
County 416 20th Road	3.5 mi	4m
Jeffries Freeway	3.3 mi	3m
County 420 21st Road	3 mi	4m

Longest stretch: I 75 — 229.2 mi, about 3h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Flat Rock, MI and Livonia, MI.

Start on 20th Road

117 ft · 5 sec · 20th Road

Continue on 416

3.5 mi · 4 min · County 416 20th Road

At end of road, turn left onto 426

1.0 mi · 1 min · County 426 M.5 Road

Turn right onto 420

3.0 mi · 4 min · County 420 21st Road

Continue on South Hill Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Hill Road

Continue on Blackwell Avenue

0.2 mi · 35 sec · Blackwell Avenue

Continue on South Hill Road

457 ft · 21 sec · South Hill Road

Turn left onto US 2; US 41; M 35

133 mi · 2 hr 37 min · US 2; US 41; M 35

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec

Toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge

Merge onto I 75

94 mi · 1 hr 37 min · I 75

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75

124 mi · 2 hr 7 min · I 75

Toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

11 mi · 11 min · I 75; US 23

Keep slight right at fork onto US 23

31 mi · 33 min · US 23

Toward US 23: Ann Arbor

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 96 East: Detroit

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 96 East: Detroit

Merge onto I 96

15 mi · 15 min · I 96

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 34 sec

Exit 163 Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 29 sec

Continue on I 275; I 96

6.1 mi · 6 min · I 275; I 96

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Toward I 96 East: Detroit Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 96

3.3 mi · 3 min · Jeffries Freeway

Toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Exit 175 Toward Merriman Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road

477 ft · 14 sec · Schoolcraft Road

Turn right onto Merriman Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Merriman Road

Turn right

98 ft · 9 sec

Turn right

31 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 26-minute duration, starting your drive early in the morning from Flat Rock will allow you to reach Livonia comfortably within daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan this break strategically to manage your energy. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as a significant portion of this route relies on local roads where gas stations might be less frequent than on major highways. The $66 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. The frequent turns mean you'll want to stay alert and follow your navigation closely to make the most of this direct, local road connection.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 215.6 miles from Flat Rock, MI, or about 4h 7m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 229.2 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 95 miles or 1h 55m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 215.6 miles or 4h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 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 Flat Rock, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Flat Rock, MI

This is one driving day of about 431.1 miles and 7h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Flat Rock, MI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 229.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Charlevoix County, Michigan, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Boyne City, MI

216 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Boyne City, MI to Livonia, MI

253.1 mi · 4h 34m

Pacing Suggestions

McMillan, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 95 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grayling, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 215.6 miles from Flat Rock, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 229.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Livonia, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 431.1

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17342366069

Visit website

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brighton, Michigan

1.1 mi

Waters End Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gaylord, Michigan

0.5 mi

Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 431.1

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12489578019

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 431.1

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17342366069

Visit website

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 400.3

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18102272233

Visit website

Waters End Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 215.6

Gaylord, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

Visit website

1.8 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.2 mi from route

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 369.5

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 369.5

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 369.5

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Dousman's Mill

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 154

Mackinaw City, MI

+12314364100

Visit website

Manistique Boardwalk

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 61.6

Manistique, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.5 and 429.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | 426 / County 426 M.5 Road

At end of road, turn left onto 426 / County 426 M.5 Road

Navigation decision point

236.2 mi into trip | ~4h 28m 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

418 mi into trip | ~7h 37m 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

425.1 mi into trip | ~7h 45m 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

429.7 mi into trip | ~7h 51m 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

$67.40 one way

$134.80 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 151 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$74.00	$148.00
premium	$4.89	$82.96	$165.92
diesel	$5.61	$95.18	$190.36

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$67

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$92–$117

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 150.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	129.3	1	$45.27	$20.69
Efficient EV	107.8	1	$37.72	$17.24
EV Truck/SUV	172.4	2	$60.35	$27.59

Gas CO2

151 kg

EV CO2

50 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Flat Rock, MI

Late night in Flat Rock on Sunday

Local time

2:03 AM

EDT

Current temp

56°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Livonia, MI

Late night in Livonia on Sunday

Local time

2:03 AM

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

10 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

7h 54m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this entire 431.3-mile route, as it features a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating a series of county roads, including County 416 20th Road, County 426 M, and County 420 21st Road, which means frequent turns and a more engaged driving experience. There isn't a 'longest stretch' mentioned that would offer extended periods of uninterrupted driving, so be prepared for a dynamic route. The character of the drive will likely involve passing through various local communities and landscapes without the speed of interstate travel.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 229.2 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 2. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.5 miles in near 426 / County 426 M.5 Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 431.1 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 3.5 miles (426 / County 426 M.5 Road): Navigation decision point; at 236.2 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 418 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.

On the drive from Flat Rock, MI to Livonia, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.

Detroit

236.2 mi in | ~4h 28m | via I 75

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 54m. Total distance: 431.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 229.2 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Livonia, MI before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Flat Rock, MI or browse trips ending in Livonia, MI.

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Trip from Flat Rock, MI to Livonia, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Haraz Coffee House

Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe

Haraz Coffee House

Coffee Beanery Brighton

Waters End Cafe

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

Fireside Coffee Co

Stone Mountain Coffee

Rest Area

Naubinway Rest Area

Alger Rest Area 625

Rest Area

Dodge Road Rest Area 631

Garden Corners Rest Area

Clio Rest Area 612

Linwood Rest Area 626

Gaylord Rest Area 405

Hebron Rest Area 408

Mackinaw City Welcome Center 409

Topinabee Rest Area 407

Vanderbilt Rest Area 406

Rest Area

Hartwick Pines Rest Area 404

Nine Mile Hill Rest Area 434

Saint Ignace Welcome Center

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

TA

Bay City Rest Area 605

Fenton Rest Area 624

M-81 Express Stop

West Branch Rest Area 433

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Grayling Rest Area 403

Service Plaza

Saint Ignace Rest Area

Service Plaza

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

Flint Children's Museum

Sloan Museum of Discovery

Dousman's Mill

Manistique Boardwalk

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Flat Rock, MI

Livonia, MI

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 54m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Livonia, MI

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