Nite Owl Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
L'Anse, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+19065245455
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 48m
Distance
517.5 mi
833 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
L'Anse, MI
HONG SON
Livonia, MI
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from L'Anse, MI to Livonia, MI covers 517.5 miles and takes about 9h 48m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 75, M-28, US 2 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 229.2 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $76.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
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 L'Anse, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 16m into the drive .
At 517.5 miles and 9h 48m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are I 75 and M-28.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and M-28. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 67.5 miles in near US 41; M 28 / Marquette Bypass.
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 517.5 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 67.5 miles (US 41; M 28 / Marquette Bypass): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 322.5 miles (I 75): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 504.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28 / Marquette Bypass
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75 toward I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Take the exit toward I 96 East: Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Merriman Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from L'Anse, MI to Livonia, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Detroit along the way.
Detroit
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 229.2 mi | 3h 56m |
| M-28 | 70.9 mi | 1h 24m |
| US 2 | 65.1 mi | 1h 15m |
| US 41 | 53.4 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 23 | 30.9 mi | 33m |
| M 77 | 17.3 mi | 20m |
| I 96 | 14.9 mi | 15m |
| Palms Avenue | 10.2 mi | 14m |
Step-by-step road directions between L'Anse, MI and Livonia, MI.
Start on East Broad Street
At end of road, turn left onto US 41
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
Continue on US 41; M 28
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
Continue on US 41; M 28
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
Continue on US 41; M 28
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
Continue on US 41; M 28
Continue on US 41; M 28
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
Continue on US 41; M 28
Enter roundabout onto US 41; M 28
Continue on US 41; M 28
Take the exit onto US 41; M 28
Merge onto US 41; M 28
Continue on US 41; M 28
Turn left onto M 28
Continue on M 28
Continue on M 28
Continue on M 28
Turn sharp right onto M 77
At end of road, turn left onto US 2
Take the exit
Merge onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 96
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 275; I 96
Take the exit
Merge onto I 96
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road
Turn right onto Merriman Road
Turn right
Turn right
Arrive at destination
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.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 258.8 miles or 5h 16m 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 5h 16m
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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Livonia, MI than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving L'Anse, 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 L'Anse, MI
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Livonia, MI
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 258.8 mi from L'Anse, MI · 5h 16m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
171 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
342 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Boyne City, MINight 1
259 mi · about 4.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Bay Mills, MI after about 259 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 114 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 258.8 miles from L'Anse, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 229.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 259 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.
The final approach into Livonia, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Livonia, MI.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Livonia, MI with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
L'Anse, Michigan
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+19065245455
Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore
Munising, Michigan
Earl E. Byrds
Munising, Michigan
Top Coffee Stop
Howell, Michigan
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+18107469302
Haraz Coffee House
Livonia, Michigan
Rustic Grounds Coffee Co.
Munising, Michigan
Near the start, right off the route
L'Anse, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+19065245455
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Munising, Michigan
+19063873008
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Munising, Michigan
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+19063871414
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Munising, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+19063876200
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Harvey, Michigan
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19062499464
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Wetmore, Michigan
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+19062079956
Visit websiteNear the end, ~10 min detour
Livonia, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+12489578019
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Marquette, Michigan
Hours: 6 am–6 pm
+19062251301
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Howell, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–5 pm
+18107469302
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Livonia, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17342366069
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Munising, Michigan
Near the start, right off the route
L'Anse, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19065241010
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Munising, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–12 pm
+19063878010
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Munising, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
Near the start, right off the route
L'Anse, Michigan
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+19065248110
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
L'Anse, Michigan
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
Near the start, right off the route
Champion, Michigan
+19063394461
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Munising, Michigan
+19063872379
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, right off the route
Naubinway, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19064776298
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Munising, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+19063871900
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Munising, Michigan
+19063874477
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Munising, Michigan
Hours: 10 am–7 pm
+19063878888
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
St Ignace, Michigan
+19066438322
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, short detour
Munising, Michigan
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19063873700
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Lakeshore
Sandstone cliffs, beaches, waterfalls, sand dunes, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coa...
National Historical Park
The stories of people and copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula have been intertwined for more than 7,000 years. Indigenous peoples made copper into tools and trade items. Investors and immigrants arrived...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$76.83 one way
$153.66 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $86.65 | $173.30 |
| premium | $4.65 | $94.82 | $189.64 |
| diesel | $5.30 | $108.06 | $216.13 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 181.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 155.3 | 1 | $54.34 | $24.84 |
| Efficient EV | 129.4 | 1 | $45.28 | $20.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 207 | 2 | $72.45 | $33.12 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in L'Anse on Saturday
Local time
5:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Livonia on Saturday
Local time
5:49 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
56°F
Flat Rock, MI
171 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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