Origin
Livonia, MI
Afternoon in Livonia on Friday
Local time
1:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Livonia, MI to Union, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 5m
Distance
165.2 mi
266 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 54m
★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livonia, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Union, MI
Sebastián Casimiro
Trip Overview
This 165.2-mile drive from Livonia, MI to Union, MI is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 3 hours and 5 minutes. Primarily following I-94, US-131, and M-14, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Midwest. With a fuel cost estimated at $26, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. The drive is mostly highway-focused, making it efficient for reaching your destination without extensive detours. Consider this a practical choice if you're looking for a direct and uncomplicated road trip within Michigan.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82.6 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 5m. Total distance: 165.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 80% of this 165.2-mile route. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 97.2 miles on I-94, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. As you transition from I-94 to US-131 and M-14, the road character remains largely consistent with efficient, high-speed travel. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a functional path designed for covering ground effectively. You'll experience smooth, direct driving for the majority of your journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 97.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and US-131. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Plymouth Road.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.2 miles you will encounter 14 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: near the start (Plymouth Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Merriman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (Schoolcraft Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Plymouth Road
Turn right onto Plymouth Road
Navigation decision point
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.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Schoolcraft Road
Continue onto Schoolcraft Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
22.4 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
M 14
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14 toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Livonia, MI to Union, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 14: Ann Arbor along the way.
M 14: Ann Arbor
22.4 mi in
|
~26m
|
via M 14
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 97.2 mi | 1h 44m |
| US-131 | 25.8 mi | 29m |
| M 14 | 22.8 mi | 24m |
| US-12 | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Riverside Drive | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| Jeffries Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Constantine Bypass | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Merriman Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 97.2 mi, about 1h 44m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Union, 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
Continue on M 14
17 mi
·
18 min
·
M 14
10
Keep slight left at fork onto M 14
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
M 14
Exit 45
Toward M 14: Ann Arbor
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 94
97 mi
·
1 hr 44 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 West: Chicago
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward US 131 South: Three Rivers
13
Merge onto US 131
26 mi
·
29 min
·
US-131
14
Continue on US 131
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Constantine Bypass
15
Turn right onto Riverside Drive
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
Riverside Drive
16
Turn right onto US 12
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Chicago Road
17
Continue on US 12
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Chicago Road
18
Continue on US 12
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
US-12
19
Arrive at destination
US 12
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour, 5-minute drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Union, MI without feeling rushed. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. The $26 fuel cost suggests filling up before you depart Livonia is a good idea. A key consideration for this route is the 97.2-mile stretch on I-94; ensure you're comfortable with extended highway driving and have entertainment ready. This trip is well-suited for a single day, so you can enjoy your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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 82.6 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.2 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 36 miles or 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.6 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Union, 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 165.2 miles and 3h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 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 I 94 for about 97.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 82.6 mi from Livonia, MI · 1h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 82.6 miles from Livonia, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.2 miles.
Arriving in Union, MI
The final approach into Union, 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 Union, 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
$25.83 one way
$51.65 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $28.36 | $56.71 |
| premium | $4.89 | $31.79 | $63.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.47 | $72.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.6 | 0 | $17.35 | $7.93 |
| Efficient EV | 41.3 | 0 | $14.45 | $6.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.1 | 0 | $23.13 | $10.57 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Union, MI
Afternoon in Union on Friday
Local time
1:01 PM
EDT
Current temp
49°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 5m 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 Union, MI covers 165.2 miles and takes about 3h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, US-131, M 14. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82.6 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 $25.83 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165.2 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Plymouth Road): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (Merriman Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (Schoolcraft Road): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Livonia, MI to Union, MI, road signs begin pointing toward M 14: Ann Arbor along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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