Leland to Livonia is 269.1 miles and takes about 5h 25m via South Main Street, North Manitou Trail, and South Good Harbor Trail, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Michigan, moving from the Midwest's northern reaches to its more central plains. Expect a drive composed entirely of surface roads, offering a more leisurely pace through varied terrain. With a single recommended stop and a relatively short drive time, this route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for flexibility.
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
134.6 miles from Leland, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 10
57 mi
57m
West M-115 Highway
55.6 mi
1h 16m
I 75
47.3 mi
50m
US 23
30.9 mi
33m
I 96
14.9 mi
15m
County Road 633
10.9 mi
17m
North M-37 Highway
6.9 mi
9m
South Good Harbor Trail
6.5 mi
8m
Longest stretch:
US 10
— 57 mi, about 57m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,670 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,327
Quietest
2 AM
~127 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
21×
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 Leland, MI and Livonia, MI.
1
Start on River Street
80 ft·9 sec·River Street
2
Turn left onto M 22
0.3 mi·44 sec·South Main Street
3
Continue on M 22
280 ft·6 sec·South Main Street
4
Continue on M 22
5.8 mi·8 min·North Manitou Trail
5
Turn left onto CR 651
6.5 mi·8 min·South Good Harbor Trail
6
Continue on CR 651
0.4 mi·39 sec·Kasson Street
7
Continue on CR 651; CR 616
5.3 mi·8 min·South Cedar Road
8
Turn left onto M 72
1.0 mi·1 min·East Traverse Highway
9
Turn right onto Tilton Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Tilton Road
10
At end of road, turn left onto Cedar Run Road
1.7 mi·2 min·Cedar Run Road
11
Turn right onto Strait Road
0.9 mi·1 min·Strait Road
12
Turn left onto CR 610
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Long Lake Road
13
Continue on East Long Lake Road
2.1 mi·2 min·East Long Lake Road
14
Turn left onto Secor Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Secor Road
15
At end of road, turn right onto CR 633
3.7 mi·5 min·North West Silver Lake Road
16
Continue on CR 633
11 mi·17 min·County Road 633
17
Continue on North 13 Road
0.7 mi·1 min·North 13 Road
18
At end of road, turn right onto M 37
6.9 mi·9 min·North M-37 Highway
19
Enter roundabout onto M 115
210 ft·2 sec·West M-115 Highway
20
Continue on M 115
354 ft·5 sec·West M-115 Highway
21
Merge onto M 115
55 mi·1 hr 16 min·West M-115 Highway
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·50 sec
Toward US 10 East: Clare
23
Merge onto US 10
11 mi·10 min·US 10
24
Take the exit onto US 10
46 mi·46 min·US 10
Toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi·38 sec
Exit 140AToward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
26
Merge onto I 75; US 23
36 mi·38 min·I 75; US 23
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
11 mi·11 min·I 75; US 23
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi·33 min·US 23
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·37 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
31
Merge onto I 96
15 mi·15 min·I 96
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
0.5 mi·34 sec
Exit 163Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, ToledoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·29 sec
34
Continue on I 275; I 96
6.1 mi·6 min·I 275; I 96
35
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 96 East: DetroitUse the slight left lane.
36
Merge onto I 96
3.3 mi·3 min·Jeffries Freeway
Toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 175Toward Merriman RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road
477 ft·14 sec·Schoolcraft Road
39
Turn right onto Merriman Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Merriman Road
40
Turn right
98 ft·9 sec
41
Turn right
31 ft·2 sec
42
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 25m estimated drive time, leaving Leland in the morning should allow ample time to reach Livonia before evening. Since there's only one recommended stop and no long highway stretches, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $42 estimated cost is based on surface road travel. The route's reliance on local roads means you'll want to be mindful of posted speed limits and potential local traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas.
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 134.6 miles from Leland, MI, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57 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 59 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.6 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 30m
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 Leland, 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 Leland, MI
This is one driving day of about 269.1 miles and 5h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Leland, 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 US 10 for about 57 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 20.3 and 267.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
20.3 mi into trip|~30m in|Cedar Run Road
At end of road, turn left onto Cedar Run Road
Navigation decision point
6
161.6 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
256 mi into trip|~5h 8m 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
263.1 mi into trip|~5h 16m 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
267.7 mi into trip|~5h 22m 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
$44.89 one way
$89.78 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.61
$48.79
$97.58
premium
$5.26
$55.72
$111.43
diesel
$6.18
$65.46
$130.93
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.7
0
$28.26
$12.92
Efficient EV
67.3
0
$23.55
$10.76
EV Truck/SUV
107.6
1
$37.67
$17.22
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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
Leland, MI
Morning
in Leland on Sunday
Local time
7:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Sunny
W 10 to 20 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:23AM EDT until October 17 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:59PM EDT until October 17 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
Destination
Livonia, MI
Morning
in Livonia on Sunday
Local time
7:36 AM
EDT
Current temp
54°F
Widespread Frost then Sunny
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 3:23AM EDT until October 17 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Grand Rapids MI
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 1:59PM EDT until October 17 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Detroit/Pontiac MI
43°F
Edenville, MI
135 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
1 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
5h 25m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacula...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 269.1-mile trip is entirely on surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll be navigating local streets like South Main Street, North Manitou Trail, and South Good Harbor Trail for the full duration. Expect a consistent pace without the frequent acceleration and deceleration typical of highway driving. The absence of a longest stretch suggests a relatively even distribution of driving segments.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57 mi on US 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.3 miles in near Cedar Run 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 30 significant decision points across 269.1 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 20.3 miles (Cedar Run Road): Navigation decision point; at 161.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256 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
1,474 ft597 ft
Total Climb
1,206 ft
Total Descent
1,165 ft
Highest Point
1,474 ft
~76.9 mi in
Elevation Range
877 ft
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 Leland, MI to Livonia, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Bay City along the way.
Leland is a village in Leelanau County, Michigan (also known as the Leelanau Peninsula on the shore of Lake Michigan. Leland is the site of the oldest and largest Ottawa village on the Leelanau Peninsula named Mishi-me-go-bing, "the place where canoes run up into the river to land, because they have no harbor". European settlement began when the Antoine Manseau family came from North Manitou Island in 1853.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 25m. Total distance: 269.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57 miles on US 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.3 miles (Cedar Run Road): Navigation decision point; at 161.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
