How far is Buchanan, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Buchanan, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 221.2 miles (356 km), with a travel time of about 03h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 178.2 miles (286.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 05m 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 32m.
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.
Township in Calhoun County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buchanan and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on South Oak Street
9 m · 5 sec · South Oak Street
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2
Turn right onto East Front Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Front Street
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3
Continue on Niles Buchanan Road
1.9 mi · 3 min · Niles Buchanan Road
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4
Take the ramp left toward Niles-Buchanan Road
2061 ft · 50 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
21.2 mi · 23 min · Saint Joseph Valley Parkway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on US-31
1.2 km · 1 min · US-31
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7
Merge slight left onto I-94/US-31
2935 ft · 36 sec · I-94/US-31
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit
137.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth
4.7 mi · 5 min
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10
Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
2.4 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
15.1 mi · 16 min
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12
Continue straight
9.2 mi · 10 min
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.3 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Davison Avenue
1519 ft · 37 sec
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15
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 5 min
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16
Continue on Davison Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Davison Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
2332 ft · 56 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
2346 ft · 56 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1036 ft · 25 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I-75 North to I-696 East
2136 ft · 52 sec · I-75 North to I-696 East
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22
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road
1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East
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24
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
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25
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road
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26
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buchanan 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 94
Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit
137 mi · 02h 27m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Buchanan 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 Buchanan to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 221.2 miles (356 km) and usually takes 03h 32m 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?
Marengo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 110 miles from Buchanan and 111.2 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 178.2 miles (286.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 43 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 9:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.45 one way or $58.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Buchanan and Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Marengo
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 Marengo.
Albion station
Battle Creek Transportation Center
Jackson station
East Lansing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buchanan and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 178.23 mi (286.83 km).
#1 Buchanan
City in Berrien County, Michigan, United Staes
| Population | 3,527 |
| Coordinates | 41.8272700, -86.3611200 |
| Altitude | 212 |
| 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: 356 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $29.45 | $58.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.22 | $66.43 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $36.35 | $72.70 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $41.42 | $82.85 |
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.