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Trip from Saint Charles, MI to Livonia, 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 8m

Distance

104.7 mi

168 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
1h 59m ★
6 AM
2h 8m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m

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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Downtown Saint Charles, MI, MI

Saint Charles, MI

SHAHBAZ ZAMAN

city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States

Livonia, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 104.7-mile drive from Saint Charles, MI to Livonia, MI is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend about 2 hours and 8 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing US 23, I-75, and I-96. With a fuel cost estimated at $16, this is an economical trip within the Midwest region. The route's efficiency makes it ideal for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

52.3 miles from Saint Charles, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 23 30.9 mi 33m
I 75 15.5 mi 16m
I 96 14.9 mi 15m
Peet Road 9.1 mi 12m
I 275 6.1 mi 6m
West Vienna Road 5.7 mi 8m
South Graham Road 3.5 mi 5m
Jeffries Freeway 3.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 23 — 30.9 mi, about 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Saint Charles, MI and Livonia, MI.

1

Start on South Saginaw Street

6 ft · 7 sec · South Saginaw Street
2

Turn left onto M 52

1.4 mi · 2 min · West Belle Avenue
3

Continue on M 52

3.5 mi · 5 min · South Graham Road
4

Continue on M 52

3.1 mi · 4 min · Oakley Road
5

Turn left onto M 57

1.5 mi · 2 min · Brady Road
6

Continue on M 57

0.4 mi · 40 sec · Brady Street
7

Turn straight onto M 57

1.1 mi · 2 min · West Broad Street
8

Turn right onto M 57

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
9

Turn straight onto M 57

9.1 mi · 12 min · Peet Road
10

Continue on M 57

1.4 mi · 1 min · Vienna Road
11

Continue on M 57

1.0 mi · 2 min · West State Street
12

Continue on M 57

5.7 mi · 8 min · West Vienna Road
13

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
14

Merge onto I 75; US 23

4.5 mi · 4 min · I 75; US 23
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23

11 mi · 11 min · I 75; US 23
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 23

31 mi · 33 min · US 23
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
17

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 37 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
19

Merge onto I 96

15 mi · 15 min · I 96
Use the straight lane.
20

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 34 sec
Exit 163 Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 29 sec
22

Continue on I 275; I 96

6.1 mi · 6 min · I 275; I 96
23

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min
Toward I 96 East: Detroit Use the slight left lane.
24

Merge onto I 96

3.3 mi · 3 min · Jeffries Freeway
Toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 175 Toward Merriman Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road

477 ft · 14 sec · Schoolcraft Road
27

Turn right onto Merriman Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Merriman Road
28

Turn right

98 ft · 9 sec
29

Turn right

31 ft · 2 sec
30

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 8 minutes, this route offers a lot of flexibility. You can depart at your convenience, whether it's a morning start to maximize your day or a mid-afternoon departure. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan for a fuel and rest break before you leave Saint Charles or once you reach the Livonia area. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 30.9-mile stretch on US 23, to ensure a smooth journey.

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 52.3 miles from Saint Charles, MI, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 23 miles or 35m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.3 miles or 1h 9m 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 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Livonia, MI than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Saint Charles, 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 Saint Charles, MI

This is one driving day of about 104.7 miles and 2h 8m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Saint Charles, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on US 23 for about 30.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Lake Fenton, MI, MI

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lake Fenton, MI

52 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

Clio, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lake Fenton, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.3 miles from Saint Charles, 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 coffee break · final third

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brighton, Michigan

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third · 37min to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18102272233

Visit website

Thread Creek Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Howell, Michigan

0.6 mi

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Livonia, Michigan

0.7 mi

Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $1 to $10

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12489578019

Visit website

Coffee Beanery Brighton

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+18102272233

Visit website

Thread Creek Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Howell, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+18107469302

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

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

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17342366069

Visit website

North End Coffee Cafe Bake

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

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

Fenton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+18102080665

Visit website

RēNū Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 8:30 am–3:30 pm

+12483745955

Visit website

Brighton Coffee House and Theater

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Brighton, Michigan

Hours: 6:30 am–6:30 pm

Visit website

Joe's Coffee & Tea Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Novi, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12485333355

Visit website

BakeCurry Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20

Novi, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12484828747

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18104078972

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Fenton, Michigan

Hours: 12–5 pm

+18102151088

Visit website

Flint Children's Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18107675437

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12484767928

Visit website

Maybury State Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+12483498390

Visit website

Sloan Museum of Discovery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Early stretch 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Flint, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18102373450

Visit website

Maybury Farm

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Northville, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+12483740200

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 18

5 decision points cluster between mile 28.9 and 103.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
28.9 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the ramp toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
5
44.8 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | US 23

Keep slight right at fork onto US 23 toward US 23: Ann Arbor

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
8
91.5 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in

Take the exit toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, 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. Exit 163 Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
6
98.6 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward I 96 East: Detroit

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 96 East: Detroit
7
103.2 mi into trip | ~2h 5m in

Take the exit toward Merriman Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 175 Toward Merriman Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$16.37 one way

$32.74 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $17.97 $35.94
premium $4.89 $20.15 $40.30
diesel $5.61 $23.12 $46.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$16

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 31.4 0 $10.99 $5.03
Efficient EV 26.2 0 $9.16 $4.19
EV Truck/SUV 41.9 0 $14.66 $6.70

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 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 20, 2026

Origin

Saint Charles, MI

Morning in Saint Charles on Tuesday

Local time

11:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Livonia, MI

Morning in Livonia on Tuesday

Local time

11:23 AM

EDT

Current temp

47°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

14 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

2h 8m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience, with 68% of the drive being on major interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 30.9 miles along US 23, offering a solid period of consistent travel. While the majority of this route involves higher speeds and less varied scenery, it's designed for efficient progress. The transition between US 23, I-75, and I-96 is seamless, keeping you moving with minimal interruption as you head toward Livonia.

68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.9 mi on US 23.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 75. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 28.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 18 significant decision points across 104.7 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 28.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.8 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 91.5 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 Saint Charles, MI and Livonia, MI, road signs point toward M 5 North: Detroit and Toledo.

M 5 North: Detroit

91.5 mi in | ~1h 51m

Toledo

91.5 mi in | ~1h 51m

About the Cities

Arriving 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 8m. Total distance: 104.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 30.9 miles on US 23. 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 Livonia, 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 28.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.8 miles (US 23): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 91.5 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 Livonia, 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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