The drive from Livonia, MI to Benzonia, MI covers 247.3 miles and takes about 4h 46m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 23, US 10, Cadillac Drive for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 78.2 miles on US 23.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.66 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
123.7 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 46m. Total distance: 247.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Livonia, MI to Benzonia, MI covers 247.3 miles and takes about 4h 46m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 78.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 19 significant decision points across 247.3 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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
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 Benzonia, MI, road signs point toward Flint, To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
Flint
28.8 mi in|~34m
To M 115: Ludington
157.4 mi in|~2h 48m|via US 10
Cadillac
157.4 mi in|~2h 48m|via US 10
M 115: Cadillac
164.9 mi in|~2h 56m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 23
78.2 mi
1h 23m
US 10
56.9 mi
56m
Cadillac Drive
55.3 mi
1h 16m
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
23 mi
24m
Cadillac Highway
17.8 mi
20m
West M-115 Highway
5.8 mi
7m
Jeffries Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
Benzie Highway
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 78.2 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Benzonia, 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
78 mi·1 hr 23 min·US 23
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Exit 162BToward US 10 West: Midland
15
Continue on US 10
11 mi·11 min·US 10
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 10
38 mi·38 min·US 10
Toward US 10: Clare
17
Take the exit onto US 10
7.6 mi·7 min·US 10
Toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward M 115: Cadillac
19
Turn right onto M 115
55 mi·1 hr 16 min·Cadillac Drive
20
Enter roundabout onto M 37; M 115
129 ft·1 sec·West M-115 Highway
21
Continue on M 37; M 115
0.5 mi·50 sec·West M-115 Highway
22
Continue on M 37; M 115
0.6 mi·1 min·East Mesick Avenue
23
Continue on M 115
5.3 mi·6 min·West M-115 Highway
24
Continue on M 115
18 mi·20 min·Cadillac Highway
25
Merge onto US 31; M 115
1.6 mi·2 min·Benzie Highway
26
Continue on US 31; M 115
0.8 mi·1 min·Michigan Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
US 31
Trip Plan
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 123.7 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.2 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.7 miles or 2h 15m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benzonia, 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 247.3 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 US 23 for about 78.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 123.7 mi from Livonia, MI
· 2h 15m into the drive
The midpoint is around 123.7 miles from Livonia, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before US 23 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.2 miles.
Arriving in Benzonia, MI
The final approach into Benzonia, 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 Benzonia, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
National Lakeshore
Miles of sand beach, bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. High dunes afford spectacula...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$25
near mile 247.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.66 one way
$77.33 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$42.45
$84.90
premium
$4.89
$47.59
$95.18
diesel
$5.61
$54.60
$109.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.2
0
$25.97
$11.87
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.64
$9.89
EV Truck/SUV
98.9
1
$34.62
$15.83
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Livonia, MI
Afternoon
in Livonia on Thursday
Local time
3:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 10 to 14 mph84% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Benzonia, MI
Afternoon
in Benzonia on Thursday
Local time
3:15 PM
EDT
Current temp
51°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
23 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 46m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Livonia, MI to Benzonia, MI covers 247.3 miles and takes about 4h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23, US 10, Cadillac Drive. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 123.7 miles from Livonia, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.66 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 247.3 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.
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.
Between Livonia, MI and Benzonia, MI, road signs point toward Flint, To M 115: Ludington, Cadillac and M 115: Cadillac.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
