How far is Akron, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?

The driving distance from Akron, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 89.4 miles (143.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.5 miles (116.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
89.38 mi
01h 45m
Flight
72.49 mi
116.66 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Akron.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
72.49 mi
Kilometers
116.66 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.38 mi
Kilometers
143.85 km
Drive Time
01h 45m

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 01h 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Tue, Apr 14, 9:47 PM EDT
Return by in Akron
Tue, Apr 14, 11:33 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Akron
2026-04-14T20:02
Arrive Sterling Heights
Tue, Apr 14, 9:47 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:45 AM to 11:45 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:00 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Akron
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Burnside
MI

Township in Lapeer County, Michigan

From Akron
46 mi
00h 52m
To Sterling Heights
43.3 mi
00h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph SSW
Destination
79°F
Tuesday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Tue, Apr 14 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Akron and Sterling Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Akron and Sterling Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    649 ft · 36 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Beach Street

    2766 ft · 47 sec · Beach Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Akron Road

    2 mi · 3 min · Akron Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Unionville Road

    3.4 mi · 5 min · Unionville Road

  5. 5

    Continue on Biebel Road

    3.8 mi · 5 min · Biebel Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Cleaver Road

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Cleaver Road

  7. 7

    Continue on Ellington Street

    2434 ft · 41 sec · Ellington Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Mertz Road

    5.5 mi · 8 min · Mertz Road

  9. 9

    Turn left onto East Sanilac Road

    9.5 mi · 11 min · East Sanilac Road

  10. 10

    Continue on State Street

    1 mi · 1 min · State Street

  11. 11

    Continue on Sanilac Road

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Sanilac Road

  12. 12

    Turn right onto South Van Dyke Road

    5.2 mi · 6 min · South Van Dyke Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Main Street

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  14. 14

    Continue on South Van Dyke Road

    19.7 mi · 25 min · South Van Dyke Road

  15. 15

    Continue on North Cedar Street

    2.2 mi · 4 min · North Cedar Street

  16. 16

    Continue on Van Dyke Road

    5.6 mi · 8 min · Van Dyke Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.4 km · 2 min · North Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Van Dyke Road

    24.5 mi · 30 min · Van Dyke Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    755 ft · 17 sec · 17 Mile Road

  20. 20

    Turn right

    41 m · 15 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left

    66 m · 16 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right

    41 m · 12 sec

  23. 23

    Turn right

    60 m · 20 sec

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 17 Mile Road

    819 ft · 20 sec · 17 Mile Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Akron and Sterling Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
25 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Van Dyke Road
30.1 mi · 34%
South Van Dyke Road
25 mi · 28%
East Sanilac Road
9.47 mi · 11%
Mertz Road
5.52 mi · 6%
Sanilac Road
4.46 mi · 5%
Biebel Road
3.79 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

Van Dyke Road

Continue on Van Dyke Road

24.5 mi · 00h 30m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.9 mi
72.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Burnside
00h 52m from Akron
Leave By
3:00 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Akron and Light Rain Likely near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Akron to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 89.4 miles (143.8 km) and usually takes 01h 45m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Burnside is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46 miles from Akron and 43.3 miles from Sterling Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 72.5 miles (116.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:00 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.88 one way or $23.76 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Akron and Light Rain Likely near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Burnside

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Burnside, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Burnside.

RAIL

Lapeer station

26 mi away
73 Howard St.
RAIL

Flint station

52 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
RAIL

Port Huron

59 mi away
2223 16th Street
RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

66 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Akron and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 72.49 mi (116.66 km).

Akron

#1 Akron

Village in Tuscola County, Michigan, United States

Population373
Coordinates43.5680800, -83.5141300
Altitude195
CountryUnited States
Sterling Heights

#2 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Street (-83.5143, 43.56808)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 144 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 58m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 16m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.15 gal
11.94 L · about $11.88
Round trip
$23.76
6.3 gal · 23.88 L
Estimated CO2
28 kg one way
Round trip: 56 kg / 123 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.88 $23.76
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.40 $26.79
Premium $4.65 $14.66 $29.32
Diesel $5.30 $16.71 $33.42

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Akron and Sterling Heights. The current time is 20:02:02.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.