Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
164 mi
264 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livonia, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Casnovia, MI
Anna Shvets
Livonia to Casnovia is 164 miles and takes about 3 hours 5 minutes via I-96 and M-37, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Midwest region, primarily within Michigan, offering a straightforward journey. Given its relatively short duration and focus on major highways, it's a practical choice for a single-day trip. Expect a route that prioritizes efficient travel over extensive sightseeing, making it ideal if your goal is simply to reach your destination without unnecessary detours.
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
82 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 96 | 115.1 mi | 2h 3m |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | 25.6 mi | 27m |
| M-37 | 11.7 mi | 16m |
| Alpine Avenue Northwest | 5.1 mi | 7m |
| Jeffries Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Merriman Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| M 37 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Main Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Casnovia, MI.
Start on this road
Turn right
Turn right onto Plymouth Road
Turn left onto Merriman Road
Turn right onto Schoolcraft Road
Continue on Schoolcraft Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 96
Take the exit
Merge onto I 275; I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96
Keep slight right at fork onto I 96; M 37
Take the exit onto M 37
Merge onto M 37
Turn straight onto M 37
Turn right onto South Main Street
Arrive at destination
Since this is a 164-mile drive that takes just over 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight, and there's no need to split this trip over multiple days. With only one recommended stop, you can choose a convenient point for a quick break or fuel up as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 115.1-mile stretch on I-96, as services might be less frequent in certain 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.
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 36 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82 miles or 1h 31m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Casnovia, MI than in the middle of the route.
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 164 miles and 3h 5m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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.
A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 82 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.
5 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.
Turn left onto Merriman Road
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 96 toward I 96 West: Grand Rapids
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Take the exit onto M 37 toward M 37 North: Newaygo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$25.64 one way
$51.28 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.15 | $56.30 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.56 | $63.12 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.21 | $72.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.22 | $7.87 |
| Efficient EV | 41 | 0 | $14.35 | $6.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.96 | $10.50 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Morning in Livonia on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Morning in Casnovia on Sunday
Local time
6:14 AM
EDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 72% of it utilizing major highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I-96, including one uninterrupted stretch of 115.1 miles. The Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway also plays a role before transitioning to M-37. Expect a steady pace for most of the journey, with the highway sections offering a consistent driving experience. The latter part of the route may offer a slight change in scenery as you move onto state routes.
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 164 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Livonia, MI and Casnovia, MI, road signs point toward M 37 North: Muskegon and M 37 North: Newaygo.
M 37 North: Muskegon
M 37 North: Newaygo
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 164 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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