How far is Ann Arbor, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?

The driving distance from Ann Arbor, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 56.5 miles (90.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 41.8 miles (67.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m 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
56.5 mi
01h 03m
Flight
41.85 mi
67.35 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ann Arbor.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
41.85 mi
Kilometers
67.35 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
56.5 mi
Kilometers
90.93 km
Drive Time
01h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Thu, May 7, 12:06 PM EDT
Return by in Ann Arbor
Thu, May 7, 1:10 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ann Arbor
2026-05-07T11:02
Arrive Sterling Heights
Thu, May 7, 12:06 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:04 AM to 11:04 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:22 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ann Arbor
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
Redford
MI

Charter township in Wayne County, Michigan

From Ann Arbor
28 mi
00h 31m
To Sterling Heights
28.5 mi
00h 31m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Today

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 9:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph WNW
Destination
56°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 7 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 13 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ann Arbor and Sterling Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on South State Street

    1325 ft · 43 sec · South State Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Huron Street

    2058 ft · 1 min · East Huron Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Main Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp straight toward M 14 East, US 23: Flint, Detroit

    835 ft · 20 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  6. 6

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

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

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

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Davison Avenue

    1519 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Continue on Davison Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Davison Freeway

  13. 13

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

    2332 ft · 56 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    2346 ft · 56 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

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

  16. 16

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

    1036 ft · 25 sec

  17. 17

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

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

  18. 18

    Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road

    1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East

  20. 20

    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

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Mound Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ann Arbor 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
23 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
M 14 East
27.9 mi · 49%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 11%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.32 mi · 9%
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi · 8%
Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.08 mi · 5%
Davison Avenue
2.51 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

M 14 East

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

15.1 mi · 00h 16m

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.7 mi
41.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Redford
00h 31m from Ann Arbor
Leave By
4:22 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Ann Arbor and Mostly Sunny near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ann Arbor to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 56.5 miles (90.9 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?

Redford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28 miles from Ann Arbor and 28.5 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 41.8 miles (67.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 4:22 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.50 one way or $15.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ann Arbor and Mostly Sunny near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Redford

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

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

RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

10 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

11 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Royal Oak station

17 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.
RAIL

Detroit

19 mi away
11 West Baltimore Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ann Arbor and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 41.85 mi (67.35 km).

Ann Arbor

#1 Ann Arbor

The most populous city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Population119,280
Coordinates42.2775600, -83.7408800
Altitude269
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: South State Street (-83.740762, 42.277562)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 91 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 52m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 24m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 56m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.99 gal
7.55 L · about $7.50
Round trip
$15.01
3.98 gal · 15.1 L
Estimated CO2
17.7 kg one way
Round trip: 35.4 kg / 78 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.50 $15.01
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.46 $16.93
Premium $4.65 $9.26 $18.52
Diesel $5.30 $10.55 $21.11

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 · May 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Ann Arbor and Sterling Heights. The current time is 11:02:31.

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.