How far is Bear Lake, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Bear Lake, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 201.4 miles (324.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 03h 53m.
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.
The largest city in Midland County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Chance Light Rain
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Bear Lake and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bear Lake and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on Stuart Street
525 ft · 29 sec · Stuart Street
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2
Turn left onto Virginia Street
951 ft · 42 sec · Virginia Street
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3
Merge slight left onto Lake Street
1 mi · 2 min · Lake Street
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4
Turn right onto Thirteen Mile Road
15.4 mi · 28 min · Thirteen Mile Road
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5
Turn left onto Harlan Road
2597 ft · 1 min · Harlan Road
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6
Turn right onto West M-115 Highway
5.3 mi · 6 min · West M-115 Highway
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7
Continue on West Mesick Avenue
2937 ft · 1 min · West Mesick Avenue
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8
Continue on West M-115 Highway
2666 ft · 51 sec · West M-115 Highway
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West M-115 Highway
39 m · 2 sec · West M-115 Highway
-
10
Exit the roundabout onto West M-115 Highway
108 m · 5 sec · West M-115 Highway
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11
Merge slight left onto West M-115 Highway
55.4 mi · 1 hr 16 min · West M-115 Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 East: Clare
1782 ft · 51 sec
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13
Merge slight left
10.9 mi · 11 min
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14
Take the exit slight left toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City
46.1 mi · 46 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
2040 ft · 39 sec
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16
Merge slight left
36.3 mi · 39 min
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17
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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18
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 39 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica
1392 ft · 47 sec
-
20
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 10 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road
1449 ft · 35 sec
-
22
Continue on Dobry Drive
1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive
-
23
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
-
24
Continue on Mound Road
1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road
-
25
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Bear Lake and Sterling Heights.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
West M-115 Highway
Merge slight left onto West M-115 Highway
55.4 mi · 01h 16m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Bear Lake and Chance Light Rain near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Bear Lake to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 236.9 miles (381.2 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?
Midland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.7 miles from Bear Lake and 119.2 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 201.4 miles (324.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.5 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:14 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.82 one way or $73.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Bear Lake and Chance Light Rain near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Midland
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 Midland.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Bear Lake and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 201.44 mi (324.19 km).
#1 Bear Lake
Village in Manistee County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 288 |
| Coordinates | 44.4208300, -86.1481400 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling Heights
The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.
| Population | 131,709 |
| Coordinates | 42.5803100, -83.0302000 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.40 | $36.82 | $73.63 |
| Mid-grade | $5.08 | $42.47 | $84.94 |
| Premium | $5.68 | $47.49 | $94.99 |
| Diesel | $6.63 | $55.41 | $110.82 |
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 · Nov 05, 2026