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Trip from Livonia, MI to Kingston, MI

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 9m

Distance

98.4 mi

158 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min
4 AM
2h 0m ★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 16m
12 PM
2h 14m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 4m

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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city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States

Livonia, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Kingston, MI, MI

Kingston, MI

Tuấn Kiệt Jr.

Trip Overview

This 98.4-mile drive from Livonia, MI to Kingston, MI is a straightforward, one-day trip that will take you about 2 hours and 9 minutes. Primarily utilizing North Van Dyke Road and M 53, with a portion on North Van Walter P. Chrysler Freeway, this route keeps you on local roads for the majority of the journey. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest region. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, making it a more engaging local experience rather than a high-speed transit. Plan for this to be a single-day excursion, as no overnight stays are recommended.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

49.2 miles from Livonia, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Van Dyke Road 25.3 mi 33m
M 53 24.2 mi 30m
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway 10.8 mi 11m
Jeffries Freeway (Express) 5.3 mi 5m
South Van Dyke Road 5.2 mi 6m
Jeffries Freeway 4.5 mi 4m
Sanilac Road 4.5 mi 5m
Metropolitan Parkway 3.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: North Van Dyke Road — 25.3 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

5.3 mi · 5 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
Toward I 96 Express: Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Exit 186B Toward Davison Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on M 8

2.2 mi · 5 min · M 8
11

Continue on M 8

1.3 mi · 1 min · Davison Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Toward I 75 North: Flint Use the slight left lane.
14

Merge onto I 75

11 mi · 11 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
Exit 67 Toward Rochester Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn right onto Rochester Road

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Rochester Road
Use the right lane.
17

Turn right onto East Big Beaver Road

2.0 mi · 3 min · East Big Beaver Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Continue on Metropolitan Parkway

3.1 mi · 4 min · Metropolitan Parkway
19

Continue on Metropolitan Parkway

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Metropolitan Parkway
Use the left lane.
20

Turn right onto M 53

2.2 mi · 3 min · Van Dyke Avenue
Use the right lane.
21

Keep slight right at fork onto M 53

24 mi · 30 min · M 53
Toward M 53 North: Imlay City Use the right lane.
22

Turn left onto M 53

5.6 mi · 7 min · North Van Dyke Road
Use the straight lane.
23

Continue on M 53

1.6 mi · 2 min · South Cedar Street
24

Continue on M 53

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Cedar Street
25

Continue on M 53

20 mi · 25 min · North Van Dyke Road
26

Continue on M 53

1.5 mi · 1 min · Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Continue on M 53

5.2 mi · 6 min · South Van Dyke Road
28

Turn left onto M 46

4.5 mi · 5 min · Sanilac Road
29

Continue on M 46

0.5 mi · 36 sec · State Street
30

Turn right onto Washington Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Washington Street
31

Arrive at destination

Washington Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour duration and local road nature of this 98.4-mile trip, you have a lot of flexibility. Leaving mid-morning would allow you to avoid any potential rush hour traffic in the Detroit metro area and still arrive comfortably in Kingston. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15, and consider topping off before you depart Livonia to ensure you don't need to search for a station on the less-trafficked local roads. The longest stretch is 25.3 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly – perhaps before or after this segment.

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 49.2 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 25.3 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 22 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 49.2 miles or 1h 6m 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 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kingston, 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 98.4 miles and 2h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Livonia, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on North Van Dyke Road for about 25.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Sterling Heights, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sterling Heights, MI

49 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

Royal Oak, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Romeo, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 49.2 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.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · early in the drive

Cafe Immortelle

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Troy, Michigan

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 37min in 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12482509858

Visit website

Best coffee break

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

1.5 mi

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Royal Oak

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Royal Oak, Michigan

1.8 mi

Cafe Immortelle

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Troy, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12482509858

Visit website

Cafe Sous Terre

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+13132282880

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

First break 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour Inexpensiv

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+15863076450

Visit website

Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters Royal Oak

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+12483077161

Visit website

Coffee First Cafe & Bake Shoppe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Sterling Heights, Michigan

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+15868385353

Visit website

Motor City Java House

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+13137667578

Visit website

Detroit Perk Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

First break 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10

Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13136444844

Visit website

Chazzano Coffee Roasters

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

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

Berkley, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+12486914256

Visit website

Qahwah House Coffee - East Dearborn

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

First break 4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour $1 to $10

Dearborn, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+13139084521

Visit website

Breakout Escape Rooms Royal Oak

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Royal Oak, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–11:30 pm

+15863596944

Visit website

The Fifth Wall Escape Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 3–10 pm

+12482914305

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ferndale, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12488507182

Visit website

LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Utica, Michigan

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+15868846941

Visit website

Troy Historic Village

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Troy, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–3 pm

+12485243570

Visit website

Ford Field Central Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Shelby Township, Michigan

+15867310300

Visit website

Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Detroit, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+13138983007

Visit website

Hamtramck Disneyland

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Hamtramck, Michigan

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13133465465

Visit website

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 6 and 26.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
7
11.3 mi into trip | ~13m in

Take the exit toward Davison Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 186B Toward Davison Avenue
7
15.1 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the exit toward I 75: Flint, 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. Toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
7
15.5 mi into trip | ~22m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 75 North: Flint

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 75 North: Flint
7
26.8 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the exit toward Rochester Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 67 Toward Rochester Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.38 one way

$30.77 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $16.89 $33.78
premium $4.89 $18.94 $37.87
diesel $5.61 $21.73 $43.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.5 0 $10.33 $4.72
Efficient EV 24.6 0 $8.61 $3.94
EV Truck/SUV 39.4 0 $13.78 $6.30

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (65% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Livonia, MI

Morning in Livonia on Tuesday

Local time

6:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Kingston, MI

Morning in Kingston on Tuesday

Local time

6:58 AM

EDT

Current temp

62°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

15 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

2h 9m 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?

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for most of this 98.4-mile trip. With only 26% of the route on highways, you'll be navigating a network of local roads, primarily North Van Dyke Road and M 53. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 25.3 miles on North Van Dyke Road, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before more turns resume. This road personality means you'll be more engaged with the driving, with varying speeds and frequent adjustments to your direction as you make your way north.

Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 25.3 mi on North Van Dyke Road.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in near I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express).

Driving Effort 10/10

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 19 significant decision points across 98.4 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 6 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 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.

Between Livonia, MI and Kingston, MI, road signs point toward Toledo and M 53 North: Imlay City.

Toledo

15.1 mi in | ~21m

M 53 North: Imlay City

34.9 mi in | ~48m | via M 53

About the Cities

Starting in Livonia, MI

Full guide →

Livonia is a city in Wayne County in the state of Michigan.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 9m. Total distance: 98.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 25.3 miles on North Van Dyke Road. 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 Kingston, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (I 96 / Jeffries Freeway (Express)): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.1 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 Kingston, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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