Origin
Livonia, MI
Afternoon in Livonia on Friday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Livonia, MI to Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 58m
Distance
341.3 mi
549 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 45m
★
6 AM
5h 58m
8 AM
6h 24m
10 AM
6h 7m
12 PM
6h 5m
3 PM
6h 9m
5 PM
6h 23m
8 PM
5h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livonia, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Livonia, MI to Sault Ste. Marie, MI covers 341.3 miles and takes about 5h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 75, US 23, Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 230.7 miles on I 75. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.36 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
170.7 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 58m. Total distance: 341.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 58m highway drive covering 341.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 75 and US 23. The longest continuous stretch is about 230.7 miles on I 75.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 75 is the longest continuous segment at about 230.7 miles.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,412 ft
590 ft
Total Climb
1,193 ft
Total Descent
1,219 ft
Highest Point
1,412 ft
~219.4 mi in
Elevation Range
822 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 75 and US 23. 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 Effort
9/10
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 341.3 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 18 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
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.
On the drive from Livonia, MI to Sault Ste. Marie, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.
Flint
28.8 mi in
|
~34m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 75 | 230.7 mi | 3h 54m |
| US 23 | 79.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | 23 mi | 24m |
| Jeffries Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| West Easterday Avenue | 1 mi | 1m |
| Merriman Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Bingham Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Schoolcraft Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 75
— 230.7 mi, about 3h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Sault Ste. Marie, 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
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; 147B
Toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
Exit 148B
Toward US 23 North: Flint
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto US 23
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
US 23
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75; US 23
63 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
I 75; US 23
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 75
168 mi
·
2 hr 51 min
·
I 75
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 394
Toward Easterday Avenue
17
Turn right onto West Easterday Avenue
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Easterday Avenue
18
Turn left onto Bingham Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Bingham Avenue
19
Turn right onto Dawson Street
288 ft
·
12 sec
·
Dawson Street
20
Arrive at destination
Dawson Street
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 170.7 miles from Livonia, MI, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.7 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 75 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.7 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sault Ste. Marie, 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 341.3 miles and 5h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 75 for about 230.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 170.7 mi from Livonia, MI · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 170.7 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 75 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 230.7 miles.
Arriving in Sault Ste. Marie, MI
The final approach into Sault Ste. Marie, 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.36 one way
$106.72 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $58.59 | $117.17 |
| premium | $4.89 | $65.68 | $131.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $75.35 | $150.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.84 | $16.38 |
| Efficient EV | 85.3 | 0 | $29.86 | $13.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136.5 | 1 | $47.78 | $21.84 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Afternoon in Sault Ste. Marie on Friday
Local time
4:50 PM
EDT
Current temp
35°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
11 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
5h 58m 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 Sault Ste. Marie, MI covers 341.3 miles and takes about 5h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 75, US 23, Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 170.7 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 $53.36 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 18 significant decision points across 341.3 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.
On the drive from Livonia, MI to Sault Ste. Marie, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Flint along the way.
Gently rolling terrain. The route ranges from 590 ft to 1,412 ft elevation with about 1,193 ft of total climbing.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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