How far is Carleton, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Carleton, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 55.2 miles (88.9 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 01m 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 01h 00m.
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 most populous city in Wayne 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 Carleton and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carleton and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on Monroe Street
2875 ft · 2 min · Monroe Street
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2
Turn left onto Grafton Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Grafton Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Will Carleton Road
87 m · 5 sec · Will Carleton Road
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4
Continue on Will Carleton Drive
1530 ft · 31 sec · Will Carleton Drive
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5
Take the ramp left toward I 275 North: Flint
2245 ft · 55 sec
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6
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 9 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 94: Detroit, Chicago
1058 ft · 26 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 East: Detroit, Metro Airport
1.1 km · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto Detroit Industrial Expressway
15.6 mi · 17 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
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10
Continue on Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
92 m · 6 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
2575 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
7.8 mi · 9 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1036 ft · 25 sec
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15
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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16
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road
1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East
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18
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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19
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road
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20
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carleton 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.
Detroit Industrial Expressway
Merge slight left onto Detroit Industrial Expressway
15.6 mi · 00h 17m
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 Carleton 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 Carleton to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 55.2 miles (88.9 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?
Dearborn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.1 miles from Carleton and 28.1 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.7 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 4:28 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.35 one way or $14.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Carleton and Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Dearborn
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 Dearborn.
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Detroit
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carleton and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 40.45 mi (65.09 km).
#1 Carleton
Village in Thayer County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,358 |
| Coordinates | 42.0592100, -83.3907700 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| 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: 89 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.35 | $14.71 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.29 | $16.59 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $9.08 | $18.15 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.34 | $20.69 |
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.