The drive from Livonia, MI to Dayton, MI covers 91.3 miles and takes about 2h 24m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Lapeer Road, Telegraph Road, South Lapeer Road for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.9 miles on North Lapeer Road.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.27 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.7 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 9m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 91.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 24m drive with frequent turns across 91.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 33 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Lapeer Road is the longest continuous segment at about 32.9 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.
Driving Effort10/10
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 18 significant decision points across 91.3 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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
4.6 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward US 24: Telegraph Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 179
Toward US 24: Telegraph Road
7
23 mi into trip|~36m in|BL I 75
Keep slight left at fork onto BL I 75 toward I 75 North: Flint
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 75 North: Flint
7
28.8 mi into trip|~42m in
Take the exit toward M 24: Lapeer
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 81
Toward M 24: Lapeer
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 Dayton, MI, road signs point toward M 24: Lapeer and M 24 North: Lapeer.
M 24: Lapeer
28.8 mi in|~42m
M 24 North: Lapeer
29.2 mi in|~43m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Lapeer Road
32.9 mi
47m
Telegraph Road
14.8 mi
24m
South Lapeer Road
9 mi
14m
East Sanilac Road
5 mi
5m
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.9 mi
5m
Mertz Road
4.2 mi
6m
South Hurds Corner Road
3.5 mi
13m
Ohmer Road
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
North Lapeer Road
— 32.9 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Dayton, 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
392 ft·8 sec·Schoolcraft Road
Use the right lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 96 East
7
Merge onto I 96
3.2 mi·3 min·Jeffries Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 179Toward US 24: Telegraph RoadUse the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road
393 ft·18 sec·Schoolcraft Road
10
Turn left onto Telegraph Drive
0.4 mi·40 sec·Telegraph Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn straight onto US 24
1.7 mi·2 min·Telegraph Road
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24
13 mi·21 min·Telegraph Road
Use the right lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24 BUS
450 ft·11 sec·Franklin Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto US 24 BUS
1.2 mi·1 min·West Square Lake Road
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on I 75 BL; US 24 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·East Square Lake Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto BL I 75
0.8 mi·1 min·BL I 75
Toward I 75 North: FlintUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 75
4.9 mi·5 min·Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 81Toward M 24: LapeerUse the slight right lane.
19
Continue on I 75 BL
0.2 mi·27 sec·I 75 BL
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·58 sec
Toward M 24 North: Lapeer
21
Turn straight onto M 24
9.0 mi·14 min·South Lapeer Road
Use the right lane.
22
Continue on M 24
1.0 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
23
Continue on M 24
15 mi·20 min·North Lapeer Road
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on M 24
2.1 mi·4 min·South Main Street
25
Continue on M 24
18 mi·27 min·North Lapeer Road
26
Continue on Ohmer Road
1.1 mi·1 min·Ohmer Road
27
Continue on M 24
0.8 mi·1 min·Mayville Road
28
Continue on M 24
0.1 mi·13 sec·East Main Street
29
Continue on M 24
2.1 mi·3 min·Ohmer Road
30
Continue on M 24
4.2 mi·6 min·Mertz Road
31
Turn right onto M 46
5.0 mi·5 min·East Sanilac Road
32
Turn left onto South Hurds Corner Road
3.5 mi·13 min·South Hurds Corner Road
33
Arrive at destination
South Hurds Corner Road
Trip Plan
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 45.7 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 1h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.9 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 20 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.7 miles or 1h 9m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dayton, 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 91.3 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 miles from Livonia, MI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on North Lapeer Road for about 32.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 45.7 mi from Livonia, MI
· 1h 9m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.27 one way
$28.55 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$15.67
$31.34
premium
$4.89
$17.57
$35.14
diesel
$5.61
$20.16
$40.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.4
0
$9.59
$4.38
Efficient EV
22.8
0
$7.99
$3.65
EV Truck/SUV
36.5
0
$12.78
$5.84
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Livonia, MI
Late night
in Livonia on Saturday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Dayton, MI
Late night
in Dayton on Saturday
Local time
12:37 AM
EDT
Current temp
59°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
13 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
2h 24m 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 Dayton, MI covers 91.3 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Lapeer Road, Telegraph Road, South Lapeer Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 45.7 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 $14.27 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 18 significant decision points across 91.3 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 4.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Livonia, MI and Dayton, MI, road signs point toward M 24: Lapeer and M 24 North: Lapeer.
