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

The driving distance from Almena, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 168.3 miles (270.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 26m 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
168.3 mi
02h 43m
Flight
144.21 mi
232.09 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Almena.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
144.21 mi
Kilometers
232.09 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
168.3 mi
Kilometers
270.85 km
Drive Time
02h 43m

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 02h 43m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Wed, Apr 29, 9:21 AM EDT
Return by in Almena
Wed, Apr 29, 12:04 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Almena
2026-04-29T06:37
Arrive Sterling Heights
Wed, Apr 29, 9:21 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 43m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Almena
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
Michigan Center
MI

Census-designated place in Jackson County, Michigan

From Almena
83.9 mi
01h 21m
To Sterling Heights
84.4 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 13 mph N
Destination
47°F
Overnight

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 29 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on County Road 653

    6 m · 6 sec · County Road 653

  2. 2

    Turn left onto County Road 375

    1.3 mi · 3 min · County Road 375

  3. 3

    Turn right onto County Road 652

    2.4 mi · 6 min · County Road 652

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Red Arrow Highway

    1.2 km · 1 min · Red Arrow Highway

  5. 5

    Turn right onto County Road 652

    2575 ft · 1 min · County Road 652

  6. 6

    Continue on North Main Street

    2270 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward North Main Street

    51 m · 9 sec · North Main Street

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout onto North Main Street

    152 m · 14 sec · North Main Street

  9. 9

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Main Street

    92 m · 17 sec

  10. 10

    Exit the rotary

    1314 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    104.8 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  13. 13

    Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward Davison Avenue

    1519 ft · 37 sec

  18. 18

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 5 min

  19. 19

    Continue on Davison Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Davison Freeway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo

    2332 ft · 56 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    2346 ft · 56 sec

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron

    1036 ft · 25 sec

  24. 24

    Keep slight right to continue on I-75 North to I-696 East

    2136 ft · 52 sec · I-75 North to I-696 East

  25. 25

    Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  26. 26

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road

    1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East

  27. 27

    Keep slight left to continue on I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road

  28. 28

    Turn straight onto Mound Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road

  29. 29

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
30 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
2 merges, 8 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Main Street
106 mi · 63%
M 14 East
26.7 mi · 16%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 4%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.32 mi · 3%
M 14
4.69 mi · 3%
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

North Main Street

Merge slight left

105 mi · 01h 52m

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
02h 43m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+24.1 mi
144.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Michigan Center
01h 21m from Almena
Leave By
1:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Almena and Mostly Cloudy near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 168.3 miles (270.9 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?

Michigan Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.9 miles from Almena and 84.4 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 144.2 miles (232.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 1:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.40 one way or $44.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Almena and Mostly Cloudy near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Michigan Center

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Michigan Center, 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 Michigan Center.

RAIL

Jackson station

6 mi away
501 E. Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Albion station

35 mi away
300 North Eaton St.
RAIL

Ann Arbor station

48 mi away
325 Depot Street
RAIL

East Lansing station

56 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Almena and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 144.21 mi (232.09 km).

Almena

#1 Almena

Township in Van Buren County, Michigan

Population5,196
Coordinates42.2647600, -85.8252900
Altitude231
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: County Road 653 (-85.825249, 42.264768)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 271 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.94 gal
22.48 L · about $22.40
Round trip
$44.80
11.88 gal · 44.96 L
Estimated CO2
52.8 kg one way
Round trip: 105.6 kg / 233 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $22.40 $44.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.26 $50.53
Premium $4.65 $27.64 $55.29
Diesel $5.30 $31.51 $63.01

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 29, 2026

There is no time difference between Almena and Sterling Heights. The current time is 06:37:46.

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.