Origin
Livonia, MI
Night in Livonia on Tuesday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Livonia, MI to Elba, MI
Data updated 9 minutes ago
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
58.5 mi
94 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 44m
10 AM
1h 35m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livonia, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Elba, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 58.5-mile drive from Livonia, MI to Elba, MI is a straightforward, one-day trip that will take about 1 hour and 29 minutes to complete. With a fuel cost estimated at $9, it’s an economical option for a quick getaway within the Midwest. The route primarily utilizes local roads, including Ortonville Road and South State Road, with a small portion on M-5. Given its short duration and straightforward nature, this drive is perfectly suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the need for an overnight stop. You'll be navigating a series of turns as you make your way north.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
29.2 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 45m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for most of this 58.5-mile journey. Only 8% of the route involves highway travel, meaning you'll be spending the majority of your time on roads like Ortonville Road and South State Road. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 9.8 miles on Ortonville Road, offering a brief period of consistent cruising before more turns appear. This driving profile suggests a more engaged experience behind the wheel, requiring your attention as you navigate through various local landscapes rather than a monotonous interstate experience.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ortonville Road is the longest continuous segment at about 9.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.1 miles in near Merriman Road.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 58.5 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 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 29 key pointsThese 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
10.8 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port Huron
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 165
Toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port Huron
7
11.6 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Keep slight left at fork toward M 5 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward M 5 North
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 Elba, MI, road signs point toward Lansing, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port Huron and M 5 North.
Lansing
4.9 mi in
|
~7m
M 5 East
10.8 mi in
|
~14m
M 5 North: Port Huron
10.8 mi in
|
~14m
M 5 North
11.6 mi in
|
~16m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ortonville Road | 9.8 mi | 14m |
| South State Road | 9.6 mi | 13m |
| M 5 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | 5 mi | 5m |
| South Williams Lake Road | 4.9 mi | 7m |
| Jeffries Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Davison Road | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Union Lake Road | 2.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Ortonville Road
— 9.8 mi, about 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Elba, 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, Lansing
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 275; I 96
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Exit 165
Toward I 696, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port Huron
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 696: Port Huron
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward M 5 North
Use the slight left lane.
14
Continue on M 5
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
M 5
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway
194 ft
·
11 sec
·
Martin Parkway
16
Continue on Martin Parkway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Martin Parkway
17
Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway
110 ft
·
2 sec
·
Martin Parkway
18
Continue on Martin Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Martin Parkway
19
Enter roundabout onto Martin Parkway
130 ft
·
2 sec
·
Martin Parkway
20
Continue on Martin Parkway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Martin Parkway
21
Enter roundabout onto Martin Road
169 ft
·
3 sec
·
Martin Road
22
Continue on Martin Road
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Martin Road
23
At end of road, turn right onto Richardson Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Richardson Road
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto Union Lake Road
2.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Union Lake Road
25
Turn right onto Cooley Lake Road
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Cooley Lake Road
26
Turn left onto South Williams Lake Road
4.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Williams Lake Road
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left onto Maceday Lake Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Maceday Lake Road
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto Nelsey Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Nelsey Road
29
Continue on White Lake Road
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
White Lake Road
30
Continue on South Holcomb Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Holcomb Road
31
Turn right onto West Washington Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
West Washington Street
32
Turn left onto M 15
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Main Street
33
Continue on M 15
9.8 mi
·
14 min
·
Ortonville Road
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on M 15
9.6 mi
·
13 min
·
South State Road
Use the right lane.
35
Turn right onto East Lippincott Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Lippincott Boulevard
36
Turn left onto South Oak Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Oak Road
37
Enter roundabout onto South Oak Road
88 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Oak Road
38
Continue on South Oak Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Oak Road
39
Turn right onto Davison Road
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Davison Road
40
Turn right onto South Elba Road
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
South Elba Road
41
Arrive at destination
South Elba Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of just under an hour and a half, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best. There are no designated stops, so plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps after the 9.8-mile stretch on Ortonville Road. Keep an eye on your navigation as the route features numerous turns, especially on Ortonville Road and South State Road. With a low fuel cost of around $9, you likely won't need to worry about frequent refueling, but it's always wise to start with a full tank.
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 29.2 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.8 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 58.5 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 29.2 miles or 45m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Elba, 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 58.5 miles and 1h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Livonia, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Ortonville Road for about 9.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 29.2 mi from Livonia, MI · 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
29 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 58.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 29.2 miles from Livonia, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Elba, MI
The final approach into Elba, 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 Elba, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.15 one way
$18.29 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
21 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $10.04 | $20.08 |
| premium | $4.89 | $11.26 | $22.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.92 | $25.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$9
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$34–$59
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 20.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 17.6 | 0 | $6.14 | $2.81 |
| Efficient EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.12 | $2.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.19 | $3.74 |
Gas CO2
20 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (65% 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.
Destination
Elba, MI
Night in Elba on Tuesday
Local time
10:45 PM
EDT
Current temp
70°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
3 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
1h 29m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Livonia, MI to Elba, MI covers 58.5 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ortonville Road, South State Road, M 5. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 29.2 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 $9.15 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 58.5 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.
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 Elba, MI, road signs point toward Lansing, M 5 East, M 5 North: Port Huron and M 5 North.
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