How far is Big Rapids, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Big Rapids, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 204.9 miles (329.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.8 miles (234.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
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 06m.
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 most populous city in Saginaw County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Big Rapids and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Rapids and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on the route
5 m · 2 sec
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2
Turn right
34 m · 10 sec
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3
Turn right onto Maple Street
2994 ft · 2 min · Maple Street
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4
Turn right onto South 3rd Avenue
1.2 km · 1 min · South 3rd Avenue
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5
Continue on Taft Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Taft Road
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6
Turn straight onto State Highway 20
589 ft · 9 sec · State Highway 20
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7
Continue on 15 Mile Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · 15 Mile Road
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8
Turn right onto 157th Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · 157th Avenue
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9
Continue on McKinley Road
3.8 mi · 5 min · McKinley Road
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10
Turn right onto 120th Avenue
7.4 mi · 10 min · 120th Avenue
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11
Continue on West Main Street
1.5 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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12
Turn straight onto North Cass Street
1573 ft · 28 sec · North Cass Street
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13
Continue on 70th Avenue
4.7 mi · 6 min · 70th Avenue
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14
Continue on West Wheatland Avenue
1 km · 1 min · West Wheatland Avenue
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15
Continue on 9 Mile Road
2.8 mi · 4 min · 9 Mile Road
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16
Continue on West Remus Road
14 mi · 19 min · West Remus Road
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17
Turn right onto South Lincoln Road
1 mi · 2 min · South Lincoln Road
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18
Turn left onto East Broomfield Road
2670 ft · 41 sec · East Broomfield Road
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19
Continue on West Broomfield Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · West Broomfield Street
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20
Turn right onto South Mission Street
1.1 km · 1 min · South Mission Street
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21
Continue on Business US-127
1.3 mi · 2 min · Business US-127
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Business US-127
12.7 mi · 13 min · Business US-127
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23
Take the exit slight right toward BUS US 127, M 46 WEST: Alma, Edmore
1827 ft · 49 sec
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24
Turn left onto West Monroe Road
2.4 mi · 3 min · West Monroe Road
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25
Continue on West Washington Avenue
3042 ft · 1 min · West Washington Avenue
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26
Continue on East Washington Street
3137 ft · 1 min · East Washington Street
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27
Continue on East Monroe Road
5.4 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
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28
Continue on West Saginaw Street
1.6 km · 2 min · West Saginaw Street
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29
Continue on East Monroe Road
5 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
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30
Continue on Gratiot Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Road
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31
Continue on West Saginaw Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West Saginaw Street
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32
Continue on East Saginaw Street
2327 ft · 49 sec · East Saginaw Street
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33
Continue on Gratiot Road
4.1 mi · 5 min · Gratiot Road
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34
Continue on North Saginaw Street
903 ft · 12 sec · North Saginaw Street
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35
Continue on West Saginaw Street
2970 ft · 38 sec · West Saginaw Street
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36
Continue on Gratiot Road
11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
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37
Continue on Gratiot Avenue
1.2 mi · 1 min · Gratiot Avenue
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38
Turn right onto Stephens Street
2261 ft · 31 sec · Stephens Street
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39
Continue on Rust Street
141 m · 6 sec · Rust Street
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40
Continue on Rust Avenue Bridge
1.6 mi · 2 min · Rust Avenue Bridge
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41
Continue on South Warren Avenue
1599 ft · 24 sec · South Warren Avenue
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42
Turn right onto East Holland Avenue
2 mi · 2 min · East Holland Avenue
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43
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
72 m · 14 sec
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44
Exit the roundabout onto I 75 South, US 23 South: Flint
1338 ft · 46 sec
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45
Merge slight left
23.2 mi · 25 min
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46
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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47
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 39 min
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48
Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica
1392 ft · 47 sec
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49
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 10 min
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50
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road
1449 ft · 35 sec
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51
Continue on Dobry Drive
1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive
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52
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
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53
Continue on Mound Road
1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road
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54
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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55
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Big Rapids and Sterling Heights.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 75 South
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 00h 39m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Big Rapids and Slight Chance Rain Showers then 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 Big Rapids to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 204.9 miles (329.8 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Saginaw is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.8 miles from Big Rapids and 113.2 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.8 miles (234.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.26 one way or $54.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Big Rapids and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Saginaw
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saginaw.
Saginaw, MI
Bay City, MI
Owosso, MI
Flint station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Big Rapids and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 145.82 mi (234.67 km).
#1 Big Rapids
City in the U.
| Population | 10,408 |
| Coordinates | 43.6980800, -85.4836600 |
| Altitude | 284 |
| 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: 330 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 49m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $27.26 | $54.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $30.75 | $61.50 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $33.65 | $67.30 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $38.35 | $76.70 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.