This 210.3-mile journey from Livonia, MI to Troy, MI, is a manageable 4-hour and 23-minute drive that's perfect for a single-day trip. You'll primarily be on I-96 and the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway, with a portion on M-37, making for a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, this route is budget-friendly for a day excursion. Since both locations are within the Midwest region of Michigan, you won't be crossing state lines, keeping things straightforward. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive, especially considering the longest stretch is 115.1 miles.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
105.1 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 55m 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
North Stone Road
7.7 mi
10m
North Comstock Avenue
7.1 mi
17m
Warner Avenue
5.9 mi
8m
Alpine Avenue Northwest
5.1 mi
7m
Bailey Road
4.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 96
— 115.1 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-96
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 35 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,231 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,857
Quietest
2 AM
~147 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Troy, 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
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 RapidsUse 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: MuskegonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit onto M 37
0.4 mi·51 sec·M 37
Exit 30BToward M 37 North: NewaygoUse 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
2.3 mi·3 min·South Warner Avenue
27
Continue on M 82
0.6 mi·1 min·South Stewart Avenue
28
Turn left onto M 82
1.0 mi·2 min·East Main Street
29
Turn right onto North Stone Road
7.7 mi·10 min·North Stone Road
30
Continue on Jefferson Street
1.0 mi·1 min·Jefferson Street
31
Turn right onto North Green Avenue
2.2 mi·3 min·North Green Avenue
32
Turn left onto 4 Mile Road
1.0 mi·2 min·4 Mile Road
33
Turn right onto North Comstock Avenue
7.1 mi·17 min·North Comstock Avenue
34
Turn left onto West 11 Mile Road
0.9 mi·2 min·West 11 Mile Road
35
Continue on North Dickinson Avenue
2.1 mi·5 min·North Dickinson Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
North Dickinson Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 23-minute drive, starting your trip in the morning will give you ample daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, consider making it around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. Keep an eye out for the transition onto M-37, as this might signal a change in road conditions and speed limits. The estimated fuel cost of $33 is quite reasonable, so ensure your tank is full before you depart Livonia to maximize your time on the road and minimize unnecessary stops.
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 105.1 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 1h 55m 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 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Troy, 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 210.3 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
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.
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
$31.06 one way
$62.11 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$34.29
$68.57
premium
$4.72
$39.05
$78.09
diesel
$4.80
$39.71
$79.42
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: 73.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.1
0
$22.08
$10.09
Efficient EV
52.6
0
$18.40
$8.41
EV Truck/SUV
84.1
1
$29.44
$13.46
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Livonia, MI
Afternoon
in Livonia on Sunday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
63°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 6 to 16 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:47PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:47PM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
Destination
Troy, MI
Afternoon
in Troy on Sunday
Local time
3:56 PM
EDT
Current temp
55°F
Areas Of Smoke
N 2 to 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 4:47PM EDT until July 19 at 5:00AM EDT by NWS Northern Indiana
Beach Hazards Statement
Beach Hazards Statement issued July 18 at 2:47PM EDT until July 19 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
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
8 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
4h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that's a good mix of highway and other road types, with 56% of the journey on highways. The route features a significant uninterrupted stretch of 115.1 miles on I-96, offering a chance to maintain a consistent speed. As you progress, the road character will shift, moving from the broader interstate to other main arteries like the Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway and M-37. This transition means you'll experience varied driving conditions, from faster-paced highway segments to potentially more varied traffic patterns as you approach your destination.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
36 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 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 Effort9/10
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 26 significant decision points across 210.3 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
982 ft638 ft
Total Climb
660 ft
Total Descent
473 ft
Highest Point
982 ft
~30 mi in
Elevation Range
344 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 Troy, MI, road signs point toward M 37 North: Muskegon and M 37 North: Newaygo.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 210.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m 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.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Troy, 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. There are 11 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 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Troy, MI, but most travelers stay overnight.
