Livonia, MI to Stambaugh, Iron River, MI is 517.6 miles and takes about 9h 52m via I 75 and US-2 West, with a fuel budget near $80 and it's recommended for 2 days. This long-haul drive stays within the Midwest, crossing from the southeast corner of Michigan to the Upper Peninsula. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently. With a recommended two-day pace, you can break up the nearly 10 hours of driving into manageable segments.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
258.8 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 75
180.5 mi
3h 4m
US-2 West
134 mi
2h 39m
US 23
79.3 mi
1h 25m
M 69
60 mi
1h 22m
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
23 mi
24m
Crystal Avenue
15.1 mi
17m
18th Road
7.9 mi
10m
17th Road
3.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 180.5 mi, about 3h 4m
Traffic on I-75
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,736 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,028
Quietest
2 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
22.5×
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 Livonia, MI and Stambaugh, Iron River, 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, LansingUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 275; I 96
23 mi·24 min·Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·11 sec
Exit 148A; 147; 147BToward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, FlintUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·54 sec
Exit 148BToward US 23 North: FlintUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 23
79 mi·1 hr 25 min·US 23
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
63 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 75; US 23
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
118 mi·2 hr 1 min·I 75
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Exit 344BToward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
17
Merge onto US 2; I 75 BL
0.7 mi·1 min·US-2 West
18
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi·3 min·US 2
19
Continue on US 2
133 mi·2 hr 38 min·US-2 West
20
Turn right onto 426
0.5 mi·1 min·County Road 426 M.5 Road
21
Continue on 426
0.4 mi·1 min·County 426 M.5 Road
22
Turn left onto 414
5.8 mi·7 min·18th Road
23
Continue on 414
0.2 mi·21 sec·I Road
24
Turn right onto 414
2.1 mi·2 min·18th Road
25
Continue on 414
1.0 mi·1 min·G Road
26
Continue on 414
3.9 mi·5 min·17th Road
27
At end of road, turn left onto 410
0.2 mi·24 sec·C Road
28
Turn right onto M 69
41 mi·56 min·M 69
29
Continue on M 69; M 95
6.0 mi·6 min·M 69; M 95
30
Turn left onto M 69
13 mi·19 min·M 69
Use the left lane.
31
Turn right onto US 2; US 141
381 ft·12 sec·North 5th Street
Use the right lane.
32
Turn left onto US 2; US 141
15 mi·17 min·Crystal Avenue
Use the straight lane.
33
Turn left onto North Lay Avenue
0.4 mi·54 sec·North Lay Avenue
34
Continue on Washington Avenue
0.2 mi·37 sec·Washington Avenue
35
Turn left onto Diamond Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·Diamond Street
36
At end of road, turn right onto Stambaugh Avenue
0.2 mi·44 sec·Stambaugh Avenue
37
Turn left onto Holly Street
55 ft·1 sec·Holly Street
38
Arrive at destination
Holly Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 52m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight for your first leg. Plan for your two recommended stops to include a meal break and a stretch. The longest stretch on I 75 means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering that segment. Consider stopping for the night around the halfway point or slightly before to avoid a very late arrival on your second day.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 258.8 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 4h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 180.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 114 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 258.8 miles or 4h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 258.8 miles or 4h 32m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stambaugh, Iron River, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Livonia, MI
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Stambaugh, Iron River, MI
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 114 miles from Livonia, MI.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 75 for about 180.5 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 29 — 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.
6
1 mi into trip|~2m in|Schoolcraft Road
Turn right onto Schoolcraft Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right 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
8
28.8 mi into trip|~34m in
Take the exit toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint
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 148A; 147; 147B
Toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spe...
8
29 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 23 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 148B
Toward US 23 North: Flint
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$86.34 one way
$172.68 round trip
$4.24/gal25.4 MPG avg181 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.62
$94.21
$188.41
premium
$5.25
$107.05
$214.09
diesel
$6.18
$125.92
$251.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 181.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
155.3
1
$54.35
$24.84
Efficient EV
129.4
1
$45.29
$20.70
EV Truck/SUV
207
2
$72.46
$33.13
Gas CO2
181 kg
EV CO2
61 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 19, 2026
Origin
Livonia, MI
Afternoon
in Livonia on Tuesday
Local time
3:27 PM
EDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Stambaugh, Iron River, MI
Afternoon
in Stambaugh on Tuesday
Local time
2:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
34°F
Mostly Clear
W 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
63°F
Isabella, MI
342 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour earlier
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 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
9h 52m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 77% of it on major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 180.5 miles on I 75 before transitioning to US-2 West. Expect a shift from a more urban feel around the starting point to more rural cruising as you head north and west. The longest continuous section on the interstate means you'll likely encounter fewer immediate exits for a significant portion of the drive.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 180.5 mi on I 75.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US-2 West. 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 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 28 significant decision points across 517.6 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 1 miles (Schoolcraft 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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,633 ft598 ft
Total Climb
2,218 ft
Total Descent
1,224 ft
Highest Point
1,633 ft
~517.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,035 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 Stambaugh, Iron River, MI, road signs point toward Flint and Escanaba.
The longest stretch is about 180.5 miles on I 75. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 259 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 32 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 Stambaugh, Iron River, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Merriman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (Schoolcraft 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.9 hours each way, a round trip means 19.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stambaugh, Iron River, MI before the return drive.
