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Trip from Livonia, MI to Avoca, MI

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

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

81 mi

130 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 48m
8 AM
2h 4m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 52m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

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

city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States

Livonia, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Avoca, MI, MI

Avoca, MI

fish socks

Trip Overview

Traveling from Livonia to Avoca, Michigan, covers 81 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 47 minutes. This route functions perfectly as a straightforward day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $12 on fuel for the journey, making it a very budget-friendly excursion within the Midwest. The drive utilizes a combination of major thoroughfares, including the Edsel Ford, Ford, and Jeffries Freeways. Because this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to head out whenever it suits your schedule, though staying mindful of the mixed-drive conditions will help ensure a smooth arrival.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

40.5 miles from Livonia, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Edsel Ford Freeway 17.4 mi 22m
Ford Freeway 16.8 mi 17m
Jeffries Freeway (Express) 9.1 mi 9m
Memphis Ridge Road 5.5 mi 7m
County Line Road 5.3 mi 7m
Emmett Road 5.1 mi 7m
Kinney Road 4.9 mi 7m
Jeffries Freeway 4.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Edsel Ford Freeway — 17.4 mi, about 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Avoca, 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

392 ft · 8 sec · Schoolcraft Road
Use the right lane.
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 96 East
7

Merge onto I 96

4.5 mi · 4 min · Jeffries Freeway
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96

9.1 mi · 9 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Toward I 96 Express: Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 190A Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Port Huron, Chicago Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 94 East: Port Huron Use the slight left lane.
11

Merge onto I 94

17 mi · 22 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 94

17 mi · 17 min · Ford Freeway
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 248 Toward 26 Mile Road, Marine City Use the slight right lane.
14

Turn right onto 26 Mile Road

1.1 mi · 1 min · 26 Mile Road
Use the right lane.
15

Turn left onto County Line Road

5.3 mi · 7 min · County Line Road
Use the left lane.
16

Turn left onto Muttonville Lane

159 ft · 8 sec · Muttonville Lane
17

Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue

429 ft · 12 sec · Gratiot Avenue
18

Turn right onto M 19

2.5 mi · 5 min · South Main Street
19

Continue on M 19

4.4 mi · 6 min · Memphis Ridge Road
20

Continue on M 19

0.6 mi · 1 min · Main Street
21

Continue on M 19

1.1 mi · 1 min · Memphis Ridge Road
22

Continue on M 19

1.0 mi · 1 min · Burnell Road
23

Continue on M 19

4.3 mi · 6 min · Kinney Road
24

Continue on M 19

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
25

Continue on M 19

0.6 mi · 49 sec · Kinney Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Continue on M 19

5.1 mi · 7 min · Emmett Road
27

Turn right onto M 136

0.6 mi · 55 sec · Metcalf Road
28

Continue on M 136

1.5 mi · 2 min · Beard Road
29

Continue on M 136

2.1 mi · 3 min · Avoca Road
30

Arrive at destination

M 136

Trip Plan

Since this is a quick 1-hour and 47-minute trip, you can easily complete it in one go without needing dedicated rest stops. Plan your departure to avoid peak commuting hours on the Edsel Ford and Jeffries Freeways to maintain a steady pace throughout your 81-mile trek. With only $12 required for fuel, you won't need to worry about complex refueling logistics, though topping off before you leave Livonia is always a smart habit. Utilize the flexibility of this short drive to adjust your departure time based on real-time traffic reports. Most importantly, keep a close eye on your navigation when exiting the major freeways, as the transition to local roads in the Avoca area happens quickly.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.5 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.4 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 18 miles or 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 40.5 miles or 49m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 29m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Avoca, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Livonia, MI

This is one driving day of about 81 miles and 1h 47m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Livonia, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Edsel Ford Freeway for about 17.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Clinton Township, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Clinton Township, MI

41 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

Detroit, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Saint Clair Shores, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40.5 miles from Livonia, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 Restaurant

Cafe Sous Terre

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Detroit, Michigan

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 17.3

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+13132282880

Visit website

Detroit Princess Riverboat

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Detroit, Michigan

2.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Livonia, Michigan

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17342366069

Visit website

In Harmony Café Sweets & More

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Detroit, Michigan

1.4 mi

Anna’s Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Detroit, Michigan

1.4 mi

Cafe Sous Terre

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+13132282880

Visit website

Detroit Princess Riverboat

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18773382628

Visit website

Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

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

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12489578019

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17342366069

Visit website

In Harmony Café Sweets & More

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 11.6

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+15863076450

Visit website

Anna’s Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+13133649143

Visit website

Motor City Java House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 5.8

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13137667578

Visit website

Madcap Coffee Company

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18888669091

Visit website

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Detroit

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+13133383515

Visit website

Detroit Kid City - Clinton Township

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 34.7

Clinton Township, Michigan

Visit website

Alba

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+13134624797

Visit website

Michigan Science Center

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+13135778400

Visit website

N'Namdi Center for Contemporary Art

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–5 pm

+13138318700

Visit website

Escape Room Zone - Chesterfield

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 46.3

Chesterfield, Michigan

Hours: 5–10 pm

+15869484444

Visit website

Detroit Rolling Pub

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–10:30 pm

+13137105156

Visit website

Beacon Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13135668250

Visit website

Selfridge Military Air Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 40.5

Harrison Township, Michigan

Hours: Closed

+15862396768

Visit website

Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 17.3

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+13138983007

Visit website

Ford House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 28.9

Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+13138844222

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 49.9 — 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
6 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)

Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express) toward I 96 Express: Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 96 Express: Downtown
8
15 mi into trip | ~17m in

Take the exit toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Port Huron, Chicago

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 190A Toward I 94 East, I 94 West: Port Huron, Chicag...
7
15.3 mi into trip | ~18m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 94 East: Port Huron

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 94 East: Port Huron
8
49.9 mi into trip | ~59m in

Take the exit toward 26 Mile Road, Marine City

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 248 Toward 26 Mile Road, Marine City

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.66 one way

$25.33 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 28 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $13.90 $27.81
premium $4.89 $15.59 $31.18
diesel $5.61 $17.88 $35.77

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$13

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$38–$63

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.3 0 $8.50 $3.89
Efficient EV 20.3 0 $7.09 $3.24
EV Truck/SUV 32.4 0 $11.34 $5.18

Gas CO2

28 kg

EV CO2

9 kg (68% 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 14, 2026

Origin

Livonia, MI

Late night in Livonia on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

82°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Sunny

WSW 16 mph 25% chance Live forecast

Destination

Avoca, MI

Late night in Avoca on Sunday

Local time

12:17 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°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

21 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

1h 47m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a varied experience behind the wheel, as this 81-mile journey is classified as a mixed drive rather than a single type of road. Roughly 59% of your travel time will be spent on the highway, balancing fast-paced transit with slower local segments. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch while navigating 17.4 miles along the Edsel Ford Freeway. As you transition between these major expressways and the local roads leading into Avoca, the driving environment shifts from high-speed, multi-lane transit to a more controlled pace. Staying alert to these changing road personalities is key to navigating the route comfortably from start to finish.

59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 17.4 mi on Edsel Ford Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 0.1 miles in near Merriman Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Merriman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

777 ft 572 ft

Total Climb

246 ft

Total Descent

89 ft

Highest Point

777 ft

~74.2 mi in

Elevation Range

206 ft

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 Avoca, MI, road signs point toward Chicago and Marine City.

Chicago

15 mi in | ~17m

Marine City

49.9 mi in | ~59m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 81 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (59%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 17.4 miles on Edsel Ford Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 Avoca, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Merriman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Avoca, MI before heading back.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Avoca, MI to Livonia, MI

Plan the drive back the other way.

80.3 mi 1h 47m

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.