How far is Brighton, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Brighton, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 second most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brighton and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brighton and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on East Grand River Avenue
15 m · 8 sec · East Grand River Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East Main Street
2451 ft · 1 min · East Main Street
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3
Turn left onto Spencer Street
1195 ft · 34 sec · Spencer Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I-96 EAST: Detroit
1.1 km · 1 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on US 23 North, I 96 East: Flint, Detroit
1844 ft · 22 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East: Detroit
3040 ft · 37 sec
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7
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 16 min
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8
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
8.9 mi · 10 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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9
Merge slight left onto John C Lodge Freeway
2206 ft · 27 sec · John C Lodge Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 24 North: Telegraph Road
1664 ft · 57 sec
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11
Continue on Telegraph Road
4.7 mi · 7 min · Telegraph Road
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12
Turn right onto Quarton Road
3.2 mi · 7 min · Quarton Road
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13
Continue on West Big Beaver Road
6.9 mi · 13 min · West Big Beaver Road
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14
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Metropolitan Parkway
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15
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
580 ft · 22 sec · Metropolitan Parkway
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16
Turn right onto Mound Road
1 mi · 2 min · Mound Road
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17
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brighton 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.
I 96 East
Merge slight left
14.9 mi · 00h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Brighton and Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brighton to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 47.3 miles (76.1 km) and usually takes 00h 51m 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?
Farmington Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.9 miles from Brighton and 24.4 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.3 miles (61.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9 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 4:48 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.30 one way or $12.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Brighton and Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Farmington Hills
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 Farmington Hills.
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Pontiac Transportation Center
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brighton and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 38.33 mi (61.69 km).
#1 Brighton
Suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States
| Population | 18,895 |
| Coordinates | 42.5294800, -83.7802200 |
| Altitude | 282 |
| 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: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.30 | $12.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.10 | $14.21 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.77 | $15.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.86 | $17.72 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.