How far is Carlton, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Carlton, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 131.5 miles (211.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 113.3 miles (182.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 24m 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 02h 12m.
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.
Village in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carlton and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carlton and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on Usborne Road
21 m · 6 sec · Usborne Road
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2
Turn left onto East M-43 Highway
3 mi · 4 min · East M-43 Highway
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3
Continue on East Carlton Center Road
2.5 mi · 3 min · East Carlton Center Road
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4
Continue on West Broadway Street
1.6 km · 2 min · West Broadway Street
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5
Continue on East Carlton Center Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · East Carlton Center Road
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6
Turn left onto North M-66 Highway
1.4 mi · 2 min · North M-66 Highway
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7
Continue on Saddlebag Lake Road
1.5 km · 1 min · Saddlebag Lake Road
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8
Turn right onto Grand Ledge Highway
13 mi · 18 min · Grand Ledge Highway
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9
Turn left onto Benton Road
1 mi · 1 min · Benton Road
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10
Continue on Jones Road
1 mi · 1 min · Jones Road
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11
Turn right onto West State Road
4 mi · 6 min · West State Road
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto Wright Road
1 mi · 1 min · Wright Road
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13
Take the ramp right toward I 96 East: Lansing
1498 ft · 37 sec
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14
Merge slight left
2.1 mi · 2 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 69 East: Flint
2.5 mi · 3 min
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16
Merge slight left
51.5 mi · 53 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit
1999 ft · 49 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit
1919 ft · 47 sec
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19
Merge slight left
1.9 mi · 2 min
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20
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 39 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica
1392 ft · 47 sec
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22
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 10 min
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road
1449 ft · 35 sec
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24
Continue on Dobry Drive
1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive
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25
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
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26
Continue on Mound Road
1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road
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27
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carlton 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 69 East
Merge slight left
51.5 mi · 00h 53m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Carlton and Mostly Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carlton to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 131.5 miles (211.6 km) and usually takes 02h 12m 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?
Vernon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 70.5 miles from Carlton and 61 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 113.3 miles (182.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.2 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 2:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.50 one way or $34.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Carlton and Mostly Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Vernon
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 Vernon.
Durand Union Station
Owosso, MI
Flint station
East Lansing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carlton and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 113.32 mi (182.37 km).
#1 Carlton
Township in Barry County, Michigan
| Population | 2,459 |
| Coordinates | 42.7267000, -85.2514000 |
| Altitude | 253 |
| 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: 212 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $17.50 | $34.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $19.73 | $39.47 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $21.59 | $43.19 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $24.61 | $49.22 |
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 · May 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.