Trip from Vassar, MI to Livonia, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 56m

Distance

78 mi

126 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

1h 48m ★

6 AM

1h 56m

8 AM

2h 13m

10 AM

2h 2m

12 PM

2h 0m

3 PM

2h 3m

5 PM

2h 12m

8 PM

1h 51m

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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Vassar, MI

fish socks

city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States

Livonia, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 78-mile drive from Vassar, MI to Livonia, MI is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 56 minutes. Operating within the Midwest region, the route primarily utilizes local roads, with only about 14% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this trip is quite budget-friendly for a single day's excursion. It's a practical option for a quick connection between these Michigan communities, requiring no overnight stays and offering a direct, no-fuss travel experience.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

39 miles from Vassar, MI

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
State Road	13.3 mi	18m
South State Road	10.2 mi	14m
North State Road	10.1 mi	15m
North Ortonville Road	9.8 mi	14m
I 275	6.1 mi	6m
Williams Lake Road	5 mi	7m
Haggerty Connector	3.6 mi	5m
Jeffries Freeway	3.3 mi	3m

Longest stretch: State Road — 13.3 mi, about 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on M 15

0.2 mi · 18 sec · East Huron Avenue

Turn right onto M 15

15 ft · 0 sec · Goodrich Street

Continue on M 15

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Goodrich Street

Continue on M 15

5.7 mi · 7 min · State Road

Continue on M 15

1.0 mi · 1 min · State Street

Continue on M 15

7.6 mi · 10 min · State Road

Continue on M 15

0.5 mi · 45 sec · South State Street

Continue on M 15

10 mi · 15 min · North State Road

Continue on M 15

10 mi · 14 min · South State Road

Use the straight lane.

Continue on M 15

9.8 mi · 14 min · North Ortonville Road

Use the left lane.

Continue on M 15

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Turn right onto Depot Road

0.2 mi · 47 sec · Depot Road

Turn left onto White Lake Road

2.4 mi · 4 min · White Lake Road

Continue on Nelsey Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Nelsey Road

At end of road, turn left onto Maceday Lake Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Maceday Lake Road

At end of road, turn right onto Williams Lake Road

5.0 mi · 7 min · Williams Lake Road

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto Cooley Lake Road

0.3 mi · 35 sec · Cooley Lake Road

Turn left onto Union Lake Road

2.5 mi · 5 min · Union Lake Road

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn right onto Richardson Road

0.2 mi · 29 sec · Richardson Road

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Martin Road

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Martin Road

Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway

155 ft · 3 sec · Martin Parkway

Continue on Martin Parkway

0.3 mi · 30 sec · Martin Parkway

Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway

111 ft · 2 sec · Martin Parkway

Continue on Martin Parkway

0.6 mi · 1 min · Martin Parkway

Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway

148 ft · 3 sec · Martin Parkway

Continue on Martin Parkway

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Martin Parkway

Enter roundabout onto M 5

168 ft · 9 sec · Haggerty Connector

Continue on M 5

3.4 mi · 4 min · Haggerty Connector

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Toward 12 Mile Road Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 54 sec

Toward I 96 West: Lansing

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 10 sec · this road

Toward I 96 West

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 696 East, M 5 East, I 96 East: Detroit Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto M 5

0.2 mi · 14 sec · Haggerty Connector

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward I 96 East, I 275 South: Detroit, Toledo

Continue on I 275; I 96

6.1 mi · 6 min · I 275; I 96

Take the exit

1.3 mi · 2 min

Toward I 96 East: Detroit Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 96

3.3 mi · 3 min · Jeffries Freeway

Toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

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

Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road

477 ft · 14 sec · Schoolcraft Road

Turn right onto Merriman Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Merriman Road

Turn right

98 ft · 9 sec

Turn right

31 ft · 2 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 1 hour and 56-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility for departure time and stops on this 78-mile route. Aiming for a mid-morning departure can help you avoid peak local traffic. Since there are no designated stops in the data, plan your own brief breaks as needed, perhaps around the 13.3-mile longest stretch on State Road. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading out, as the estimated cost is only $12, so a full tank should easily cover the trip and then some.

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 39 miles from Vassar, MI, or about 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 13.3 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 17 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 39 miles or 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 1h 40m

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 Vassar, MI so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Vassar, MI

This is one driving day of about 78 miles and 1h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Vassar, MI.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on State Road for about 13.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springfield, MI

39 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

Davison, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Springfield, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 39 miles from Vassar, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Livonia, Michigan

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17342366069

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Commerce Township, Michigan

1.1 mi

Joe's Coffee & Tea Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Novi, Michigan

1.4 mi

Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $1 to $10 mile 78

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+12489578019

Visit website

Haraz Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78

Livonia, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17342366069

Visit website

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 61.3

Commerce Township, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–11 pm

+12489567914

Visit website

Joe's Coffee & Tea Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 66.9

Novi, Michigan

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+12485333355

Visit website

BakeCurry Café

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 66.9

Novi, Michigan

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+12484828747

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 61.3

Commerce Township, Michigan

Visit website

Painting with a Twist

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 66.9

Farmington, Michigan

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+12484767928

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 50.8 and 76.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

50.8 mi into trip | ~1h 15m in | Williams Lake Road

At end of road, turn right onto Williams Lake Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

58.6 mi into trip | ~1h 29m in | Richardson Road

At end of road, turn right onto Richardson Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

63.9 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Take the exit toward 12 Mile Road

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

Use the slight right lane. Toward 12 Mile Road

65.1 mi into trip | ~1h 38m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 696 East, M 5 East, I 96 East: Detroit

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 696 East, M 5 East, I 96 East: Detroit

76.6 mi into trip | ~1h 52m 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

$12.19 one way

$24.39 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 27 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.36	$13.39	$26.78
premium	$4.89	$15.01	$30.02
diesel	$5.61	$17.22	$34.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$12

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$37–$62

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 27.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	23.4	$8.19	$3.74
Efficient EV	19.5	$6.82	$3.12
EV Truck/SUV	31.2	$10.92	$4.99

Gas CO2

27 kg

EV CO2

9 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Vassar, MI

Afternoon in Vassar on Sunday

Local time

12:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Livonia, MI

Afternoon in Livonia on Sunday

Local time

12:12 PM

EDT

Current temp

74°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

WSW 10 to 14 mph 84% chance 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

30 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

1h 56m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 78-mile journey. With only a 14% highway share, you'll be navigating a network of State Roads, including South State Road and North State Road for significant portions. The longest continuous stretch you'll experience is 13.3 miles on State Road, indicating a relatively dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in direction. This isn't a monotonous highway cruise; rather, it's a more engaged drive through local Michigan terrain.

Only 14% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 13.3 mi on State 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 50.8 miles in near Williams Lake Road.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78 miles you will encounter 24 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 50.8 miles (Williams Lake Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.6 miles (Richardson Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 63.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Vassar, MI and Livonia, MI, road signs point toward M 5 East, Toledo and Detroit.

M 5 East

65.1 mi in | ~1h 38m

Toledo

65.6 mi in | ~1h 39m

Detroit

73.2 mi in | ~1h 49m | via I 96

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 56m. Total distance: 78 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 13.3 miles on State 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 Livonia, MI before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

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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Explore More

Explore more options from Vassar, MI or browse trips ending in Livonia, MI.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MI road trips.

Trip from Vassar, MI to Livonia, MI

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Haraz Coffee House

Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop & Cafe

Haraz Coffee House

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

Joe's Coffee & Tea Cafe

BakeCurry Café

Meridian Coffee Co.

RēNū Coffee

Plymouth Coffee Bean

ALWADI COFFEE

Independence Oaks County Park

Glenlore Trails

Painting with a Twist

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Vassar, MI

Livonia, MI

Same local time

30 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 56m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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