Origin
Livonia, MI
Night in Livonia on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Livonia, MI to Aetna, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
195.3 mi
314 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 35m
★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livonia, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Aetna, MI
Mikhail Nilov
Trip Overview
Livonia, MI to Aetna, MI is 195.3 miles and takes about 3h 48m via I 96 and M-37, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Midwest region, making it a straightforward drive between two points in Michigan. Expect a highway-focused experience for most of the journey. With a recommended one-day drive time, it's a manageable route for a quick getaway or an efficient transfer. Consider this an easy option if you're looking for a direct path with minimal fuss.
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
97.6 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 115.1 mi | 2h 3m |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | 25.6 mi | 27m |
| M-37 | 12.8 mi | 17m |
| South Luce Avenue | 8.1 mi | 11m |
| Warner Avenue | 5.9 mi | 8m |
| Alpine Avenue Northwest | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Bailey Road | 4.9 mi | 6m |
| Jeffries Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 115.1 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Aetna, MI.
1
Start on this road
74 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
87 ft
·
8 sec
3
Turn right onto Plymouth Road
149 ft
·
10 sec
·
Plymouth Road
4
Turn left onto Merriman Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Merriman Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Schoolcraft Road
333 ft
·
12 sec
·
Schoolcraft Road
Use the right lane.
6
Continue on Schoolcraft Road
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Schoolcraft Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 96 West
8
Merge onto I 96
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Jeffries Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 96 West, I 275 North: Flint, Lansing
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 275; I 96
26 mi
·
27 min
·
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
55 mi
·
58 min
·
I 96
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
54 mi
·
57 min
·
I 96
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
Use the slight right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
I 96; M 37
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto M 37
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
M 37
Exit 30B
Toward M 37 North: Newaygo
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto M 37
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Alpine Avenue Northwest
16
Turn straight onto M 37
13 mi
·
17 min
·
M-37
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Enter roundabout onto M 37
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
Newaygo Road
18
Continue on M 37
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Newaygo Road
19
Turn left onto Bailey Road
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Bailey Road
20
Turn right onto B-35
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Squires Road
21
Continue on B-35
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Alger Avenue
22
Turn left onto B-35
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
West 128th Street
23
Turn straight onto B-35
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Luce Avenue
24
Continue on B-35
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West 118th Street
25
Turn straight onto B-35
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Warner Avenue
26
At end of road, turn left onto M 82
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Warner Avenue
27
Turn right onto West 56th Street
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West 56th Street
28
Turn left onto South Luce Avenue
8.1 mi
·
11 min
·
South Luce Avenue
29
Arrive at destination
North Luce Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 48m estimated drive time and 195.3 miles, starting in the morning is ideal to allow for a leisurely pace. You'll only need one stop on this route, so plan it strategically around the halfway point or for a fuel refill. The longest stretch of 115.1 miles on I 96 means you can cover a lot of ground without frequent turns, but ensure your fuel tank is adequately full before embarking on this segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $31, so budget accordingly.
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 97.6 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.1 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 43 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.6 miles or 1h 47m 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 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aetna, MI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Livonia, 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 Livonia, MI
This is one driving day of about 195.3 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Livonia, 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 96 for about 115.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.6 miles from Livonia, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 96 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 146.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Merriman Road
Turn left onto Merriman Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
4.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the exit toward I 96 West, I 275 North: Flint, Lansing
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 West, I 275 North: Flint, Lansing
7
86.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
8
139.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
I 96; M 37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37 toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
7
146.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
M 37
Take the exit onto M 37 toward M 37 North: Newaygo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 30B
Toward M 37 North: Newaygo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.53 one way
$61.07 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $33.52 | $67.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $37.58 | $75.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.12 | $86.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.6 | 0 | $20.51 | $9.37 |
| Efficient EV | 48.8 | 0 | $17.09 | $7.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.1 | 0 | $27.34 | $12.50 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Aetna, MI
Night in Aetna on Saturday
Local time
10:47 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°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
14 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
3h 48m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 61% of it on faster roads like I 96. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 115.1 miles on I 96, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. The Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway and M-37 will also feature in your journey, providing a mix of higher-speed travel. While largely efficient, be prepared for the consistent pace of interstate driving for the majority of the trip.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.1 mi on I 96.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 96 and Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Merriman Road.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 195.3 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 0.1 miles (Merriman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.2 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Livonia, MI and Aetna, MI, road signs point toward M 37 North: Muskegon and M 37 North: Newaygo.
M 37 North: Muskegon
139.9 mi in
|
~2h 33m
|
via I 96; M 37
M 37 North: Newaygo
146.5 mi in
|
~2h 40m
|
via M 37
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 48m. Total distance: 195.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.1 miles on I 96. 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 Aetna, 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 0.1 miles (Merriman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 86.2 miles (I 96): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Aetna, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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