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Trip from South Monroe, MI to Livonia, MI

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

52m

Distance

39.8 mi

64 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 48m ★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 1m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 56m
5 PM
1h 1m
8 PM
0h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown South Monroe, MI, MI

South Monroe, MI

fish socks

city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States

Livonia, MI

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 39.8-mile drive from South Monroe, MI, to Livonia, MI, is a quick trip that can easily be completed in about 52 minutes. Designed as a single-day excursion, it primarily utilizes I-275, making it a highway-focused journey through the Midwest. With an estimated fuel cost of $6, this route offers an economical option for a short road trip. You won't need to worry about overnight stays, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. The straightforward nature of this drive makes it ideal for those looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B within Michigan.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 52m. Total distance: 39.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

52m drive, comfortable solo distance.

EV Driver

0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (63%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience on this route, with 63% of your travel time spent on high-speed roads like I-275. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 25.2 miles on I-275, offering a chance to settle in and make good time. While the majority of the drive is on the interstate, you'll also navigate segments on South Monroe Street and North Telegraph Road, which will feel like a more typical local road experience. This mix means you'll transition from faster highway speeds to more controlled local driving.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 275 is the longest continuous segment at about 25.2 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 275 and South Monroe Street. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near M 125 / South Dixie Highway.

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 39.8 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 0.2 miles (M 125 / South Dixie Highway): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | M 125 / South Dixie Highway

At end of road, turn left onto M 125 / South Dixie Highway

Navigation decision point

5
9.8 mi into trip | ~16m in | I 275

Merge onto I 275

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
35 mi into trip | ~43m in

Take the exit toward Plymouth, Livonia

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 28 Toward Plymouth, Livonia
6
39.7 mi into trip | ~52m in | Merriman Road

Turn right onto Merriman Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
39.7 mi into trip | ~52m in

Turn right

Navigation decision point

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 South Monroe, MI to Livonia, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Plymouth along the way.

Plymouth

35 mi in | ~43m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 275 25.2 mi 26m
South Monroe Street 5.5 mi 9m
North Telegraph Road 2.9 mi 4m
Plymouth Road 2.7 mi 5m
Ann Arbor Road 1.6 mi 2m
South Dixie Highway 0.9 mi 1m
Merriman Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 275 — 25.2 mi, about 26m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Monroe, MI and Livonia, MI.

1

Start on this road

266 ft · 12 sec · this road
2

Turn right

0.1 mi · 34 sec
3

At end of road, turn left onto M 125

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Dixie Highway
4

Continue on M 125

5.5 mi · 9 min · South Monroe Street
5

Turn straight onto US 24

2.9 mi · 4 min · North Telegraph Road
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 275 North: Flint
7

Merge onto I 275

25 mi · 26 min · I 275
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 50 sec
Exit 28 Toward Plymouth, Livonia Use the slight right lane.
9

Turn right onto Ann Arbor Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · Ann Arbor Road
10

Turn straight onto Plymouth Road

2.7 mi · 5 min · Plymouth Road
11

Turn right onto Merriman Road

152 ft · 5 sec · Merriman Road
Use the right lane.
12

Turn right

98 ft · 9 sec
13

Turn right

31 ft · 2 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 19.9 mi from South Monroe, MI · 26m into the drive

city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Romulus, MI

20 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

Redford, MI

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Romulus, MI

Meal break

The midpoint is around 19.9 miles from South Monroe, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Livonia, MI

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Livonia, MI if you are unfamiliar with the area.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$6.22 one way

$12.44 round trip

$3.97/gal 25.4 MPG avg 14 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.36 $6.83 $13.66
premium $4.89 $7.66 $15.32
diesel $5.61 $8.79 $17.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Drive Cost (one way)

Fuel

$6

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.9 0 $4.18 $1.91
Efficient EV 10 0 $3.48 $1.59
EV Truck/SUV 15.9 0 $5.57 $2.55

Gas CO2

14 kg

EV CO2

5 kg (64% 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

South Monroe, MI

Late night in South Monroe on Saturday

Local time

1:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

49°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Livonia, MI

Late night in Livonia on Saturday

Local time

1:40 AM

EDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

52m 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 South Monroe, MI to Livonia, MI covers 39.8 miles and takes about 52m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 275, South Monroe Street, North Telegraph Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 19.9 miles from South Monroe, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.22 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 39.8 miles you will encounter 9 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: at 0.2 miles (M 125 / South Dixie Highway): Navigation decision point; at 9.8 miles (I 275): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

On the drive from South Monroe, MI to Livonia, MI, road signs begin pointing toward Plymouth 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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