How far is Livonia, MI from Elk Rapids, MI?
The driving distance from Livonia, MI to Elk Rapids, MI is about 248.6 miles (400.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 202.8 miles (326.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 04h 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Bay County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Livonia and Elk Rapids.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Livonia and Elk Rapids.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right
27 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn right onto Plymouth Road
46 m · 11 sec · Plymouth Road
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4
Turn left onto Merriman Road
1.5 km · 2 min · Merriman Road
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5
Turn right onto Schoolcraft Road
102 m · 13 sec · Schoolcraft Road
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6
Continue on Schoolcraft Road
1015 ft · 36 sec · Schoolcraft Road
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 96 West
1870 ft · 46 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Jeffries Freeway
3.3 mi · 4 min · Jeffries Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 96 West, I 275 North: Flint, Lansing
1.5 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
23 mi · 25 min · Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 23 South, US 23 North: Ann Arbor, Spencer Road, Flint
960 ft · 12 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 23 North: Flint
1.1 km · 55 sec
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13
Merge slight left
79.3 mi · 1 hr 25 min
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14
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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15
Keep slight left
27.2 mi · 27 min
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16
Take the exit slight left toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City
1.8 mi · 4 min
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17
Turn left
24.4 mi · 34 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Cedar Street
2 mi · 4 min · South Cedar Street
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19
Turn left onto West Mile Road Northwest
1.6 km · 2 min · West Mile Road Northwest
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20
Continue on M-72 West
7.7 mi · 11 min · M-72 West
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21
Continue on East M 72
3.6 mi · 5 min · East M 72
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22
Turn right onto Elk Lake Road
8.2 mi · 14 min · Elk Lake Road
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23
At the end of the road, turn right onto South US 31 Highway
2295 ft · 49 sec · South US 31 Highway
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24
Turn left onto First Street
1503 ft · 1 min · First Street
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25
Turn right onto Spruce Street
551 ft · 24 sec · Spruce Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Spruce Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Livonia and Elk Rapids.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 23 North
Merge slight left
79.3 mi · 01h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Livonia and Mostly Sunny near Elk Rapids.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Livonia to Elk Rapids?
The road trip is about 248.6 miles (400.1 km) and usually takes 04h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pinconning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.2 miles from Livonia and 124.3 miles from Elk Rapids.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 202.8 miles (326.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:28 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.07 one way or $66.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Livonia and Mostly Sunny near Elk Rapids.
Stop Ideas Near Pinconning
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pinconning.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Tawas City, MI
Flint station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Livonia and Elk Rapids. Straight-line distance: 202.82 mi (326.4 km).
#1 Livonia
The second most populous city in Wayne County, Michigan.
| Population | 93,189 |
| Coordinates | 42.3683700, -83.3527100 |
| Altitude | 195 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Elk Rapids
City in Antrim County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,626 |
| Coordinates | 44.8955600, -85.4164600 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elk Rapids (-85.41646, 44.89556)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 400 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $33.07 | $66.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.30 | $74.60 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $40.82 | $81.63 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $46.52 | $93.03 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Michigan · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.