Drive Time
7h 50m
Distance
428.3 mi
689 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$65
one way
The drive from Livonia, MI to Wells, MI covers 428.3 miles and takes about 7h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Plymouth Road, Merriman Road, Schoolcraft Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $65.05 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
214.2 miles from Livonia, MI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 50m drive with frequent turns across 428.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 50m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Livonia, MI to Wells, MI is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Plymouth Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Merriman Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Schoolcraft Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 96 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jeffries Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 23 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 23 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia, MI and Wells, MI.
Start on the route
Turn right
Turn right onto Plymouth Road
Turn left onto Merriman Road
Turn right onto Schoolcraft Road
Continue on Schoolcraft Road
Take the ramp straight toward I 96 West
Merge slight left onto Jeffries Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 96 West, I 275 North: Flint, Lansing
Merge slight left onto Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint
Keep slight right to continue on US 23 North: Flint
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight left
Take the exit slight right toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
Merge slight left onto US-2 West
Continue on US 2
Continue on US-2 West
Take the exit slight left toward US 2 East, US 41 North, M 35 North
Merge slight right onto US-2/US-41/M-35
Turn right onto Main Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 94 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 214.2 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wells, MI than in the middle of the route.
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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Livonia, MI
This is one driving day of about 428.3 miles and 7h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 214.2 mi from Livonia, MI · 3h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
214 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.
A short stop after about 94 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 214.2 miles from Livonia, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Wells, 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 Wells, MI.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$65.05 one way
$130.11 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $71.71 | $143.43 |
| premium | $4.80 | $80.85 | $161.71 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $95.15 | $190.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$65
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$90–$115
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 128.5 | 1 | $44.97 | $20.56 |
| Efficient EV | 107.1 | 1 | $37.48 | $17.13 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 171.3 | 2 | $59.96 | $27.41 |
Gas CO2
150 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Livonia on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
73°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Wells on Sunday
Local time
3:02 AM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
43°F
Skidway Lake, MI
214 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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