Origin
Vernon, MI
Afternoon in Vernon on Thursday
Local time
1:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Vernon, MI to Livonia, MI
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
79 mi
127 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Vernon, MI
Mikhail Nilov
Livonia, MI
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 79-mile drive from Vernon to Livonia, Michigan, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with about 91% of the journey utilizing US 23, I-96, and I-69. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $12, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused profile, it's perfect for a quick transit or a day outing without the need for an overnight stay. Both your origin and destination are within the Midwest region, so expect a familiar, accessible landscape.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 79 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of your 79 miles between Vernon and Livonia. With 91% of the route on major roads like US 23, I-96, and I-69, you'll experience consistent speed and efficiency. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 30.9 miles on US 23, offering a solid period of steady driving. This route is characterized by its directness and ease of navigation, rather than winding scenic byways. You'll likely find the road profile to be predominantly interstate, allowing for a predictable and swift journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 23 is the longest continuous segment at about 30.9 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
989 ft
638 ft
Total Climb
290 ft
Total Descent
437 ft
Highest Point
989 ft
~56.4 mi in
Elevation Range
351 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 23 and I 96. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79 miles you will encounter 18 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 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.8 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.
7
16.5 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
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 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
6
16.9 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
8
65.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 163
Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
6
72.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
Take the exit toward I 96 East: Detroit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
7
77.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Take the exit toward Merriman Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 175
Toward Merriman Road
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Vernon, MI and Livonia, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M 5 North: Detroit and Toledo.
Detroit
16.5 mi in
|
~18m
M 5 North: Detroit
65.8 mi in
|
~1h 12m
Toledo
65.8 mi in
|
~1h 12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 23 | 30.9 mi | 33m |
| I 96 | 14.9 mi | 15m |
| I 69 | 14.4 mi | 14m |
| I 275 | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Jeffries Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| I 75 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| M 71 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Merriman Road | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 23
— 30.9 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vernon, MI and Livonia, MI.
1
Start on South Chestnut Street
12 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Chestnut Street
2
Turn right onto East Main Street
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Turn slight right onto M 71
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
M 71
4
Continue on M 71
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Lansing Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
6
Merge onto I 69
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 69
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
9
Merge onto I 75; US 23
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 75; US 23
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 23
31 mi
·
33 min
·
US 23
Toward US 23: Ann Arbor
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
13
Merge onto I 96
15 mi
·
15 min
·
I 96
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
Exit 163
Toward I 96, I 275, M 5 North: Detroit, Toledo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
16
Continue on I 275; I 96
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
I 275; I 96
17
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 96 East: Detroit
Use the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 96
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Jeffries Freeway
Toward I 96 East: Livonia, Detroit
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 175
Toward Merriman Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto Schoolcraft Road
477 ft
·
14 sec
·
Schoolcraft Road
21
Turn right onto Merriman Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Merriman Road
22
Turn right
98 ft
·
9 sec
23
Turn right
31 ft
·
2 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.5 mi from Vernon, MI · 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.5 miles from Vernon, MI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Livonia, MI
The final approach into Livonia, MI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.35 one way
$24.70 round trip
$3.97/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.36 | $13.56 | $27.12 |
| premium | $4.89 | $15.20 | $30.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.44 | $34.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.79 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.91 | $3.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.06 | $5.06 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Livonia, MI
Afternoon in Livonia on Thursday
Local time
1:04 PM
EDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
43°F
Brighton, MI
40 mi in
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
1h 29m 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 Vernon, MI to Livonia, MI covers 79 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 23, I 96, I 69. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.5 miles from Vernon, MI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.35 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 79 miles you will encounter 18 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 16.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 65.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Vernon, MI and Livonia, MI, road signs point toward Detroit, M 5 North: Detroit and Toledo.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 638 ft to 989 ft elevation with about 290 ft of total climbing.
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