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

The driving distance from Atlas, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 47m 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
51.74 mi
00h 53m
Flight
35.55 mi
57.22 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Atlas.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
35.55 mi
Kilometers
57.22 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
51.74 mi
Kilometers
83.26 km
Drive Time
00h 53m

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 00h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Sun, Apr 26, 3:27 PM EDT
Return by in Atlas
Sun, Apr 26, 4:21 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Atlas
2026-04-26T14:33
Arrive Sterling Heights
Sun, Apr 26, 3:27 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Atlas
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
Lake Angelus
MI

City in Oakland County, Michigan

From Atlas
22.4 mi
00h 26m
To Sterling Heights
29.3 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph ENE
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 26 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Gale Road

    6 m · 1 sec · Gale Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Perry Road

    1.6 mi · 4 min · Perry Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn right onto South State Road

    4.9 mi · 7 min · South State Road

  4. 4

    Continue on North Ortonville Road

    9.8 mi · 14 min · North Ortonville Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 75 South: Detroit

    1477 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto I-75 South

    13.5 mi · 14 min · I-75 South

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica

    1392 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    9.6 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

    1449 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Dobry Drive

    1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Mound Road

    1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Atlas 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
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
27.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I-75 South
13.5 mi · 26%
M 59 East
9.83 mi · 19%
North Ortonville Road
9.8 mi · 19%
South State Road
4.93 mi · 10%
Mound Road
3.77 mi · 7%
Perry Road
1.56 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I-75 South

Merge slight left onto I-75 South

13.5 mi · 00h 14m

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
00h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.3 mi
35.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Angelus
00h 26m from Atlas
Leave By
4:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Atlas 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 Atlas to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 51.8 miles (83.3 km) and usually takes 00h 53m 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?

Lake Angelus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Atlas and 29.3 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 35.5 miles (57.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.3 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 4:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.90 one way or $13.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lake Angelus

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lake Angelus and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 9.6 mi away

Rochester Municipal Complex

Rochester , MI
400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307
City Hall,Emergency services,School,University
City of Pontiac
Meeting point 5.1 mi away

City of Pontiac

Pontiac , MI
47450 Woodward Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342
Rating 3.3/5 32 reviews City government office,City administration,City clerk's office,Department of finance,Public works department

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Angelus.

RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

7 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

20 mi away
449 South Eton St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

20 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive
RAIL

Royal Oak station

27 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Atlas and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 35.55 mi (57.22 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Atlas

Township in Genesee County, Michigan

Population7,851
Coordinates42.9378100, -83.5343900
Altitude262
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: Gale Road (-83.534395, 42.937843)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 83 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 17m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 44m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 38m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.83 gal
6.91 L · about $6.90
Round trip
$13.80
3.66 gal · 13.82 L
Estimated CO2
16.3 kg one way
Round trip: 32.5 kg / 72 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.90 $13.80
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.78 $15.57
Premium $4.65 $8.52 $17.03
Diesel $5.30 $9.71 $19.41

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 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Atlas and Sterling Heights. The current time is 14:33:43.

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.