How far is Colfax, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?

The driving distance from Colfax, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 228.2 miles (367.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173.4 miles (279 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
228.17 mi
03h 44m
Flight
173.39 mi
279.05 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Colfax.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
173.39 mi
Kilometers
279.05 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
228.17 mi
Kilometers
367.21 km
Drive Time
03h 44m

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 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Tue, May 5, 8:14 AM EDT
Return by in Colfax
Tue, May 5, 11:58 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Colfax
2026-05-05T04:30
Arrive Sterling Heights
Tue, May 5, 8:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:44 AM to 11:44 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:32 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Colfax
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Midland
MI

The largest city in Midland County, Michigan.

From Colfax
114 mi
01h 52m
To Sterling Heights
114.1 mi
01h 52m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph NNW
Destination
63°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Colfax and Sterling Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colfax and Sterling Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on East Jackson Road

    2 mi · 5 min · East Jackson Road

  2. 2

    Continue on West 13 Mile Road

    6.1 mi · 15 min · West 13 Mile Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Cleveland Drive West

    3.6 mi · 9 min · Cleveland Drive West

  4. 4

    Continue on West Main Street

    1368 ft · 43 sec · West Main Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto North Bingham Avenue

    1.6 mi · 4 min · North Bingham Avenue

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    615 ft · 17 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on West 15 Mile Road

    2246 ft · 1 min · West 15 Mile Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North Woodbridge Avenue

    3 mi · 4 min · North Woodbridge Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on South M 37

    5.2 mi · 7 min · South M 37

  10. 10

    Continue on Michigan Avenue

    3229 ft · 1 min · Michigan Avenue

  11. 11

    Continue on South M 37

    1330 ft · 40 sec · South M 37

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East Washington

    59.9 mi · 1 hr 19 min · East Washington

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight left toward US 10 EAST: Midland, Bay City

    46.1 mi · 46 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw

    2040 ft · 39 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight left

    36.3 mi · 39 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 39 min

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica

    1392 ft · 47 sec

  19. 19

    Merge slight left

    9.6 mi · 10 min

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

    1449 ft · 35 sec

  21. 21

    Continue on Dobry Drive

    1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive

  22. 22

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  23. 23

    Continue on Mound Road

    1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road

  24. 24

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Colfax and Sterling Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
25 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 South
84.5 mi · 37%
East Washington
59.9 mi · 26%
US 10 EAST
46.1 mi · 20%
M 59 East
9.83 mi · 4%
West 13 Mile Road
6.09 mi · 3%
South M 37
5.42 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

East Washington

Turn right onto East Washington

59.9 mi · 01h 19m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 44m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.8 mi
173.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Midland
01h 52m from Colfax
Leave By
9:32 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Colfax and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Colfax to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 228.2 miles (367.2 km) and usually takes 03h 44m 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?

Midland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114 miles from Colfax and 114.1 miles from Sterling Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 173.4 miles (279 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.8 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 9:32 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.36 one way or $60.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Colfax and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Midland

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Midland, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Midland.

BUS

Bay City, MI

29 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
BUS

Saginaw, MI

32 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Owosso, MI

69 mi away
109 Comstock Street
RAIL

Durand Union Station

81 mi away
200 South Railroad St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Colfax and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 173.39 mi (279.05 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Colfax

Township in Oceana County, Michigan

Population1,328
Coordinates43.7433400, -86.0792300
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Sterling Heights

#2 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: East Jackson Road (-86.07923, 43.743265)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 367 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.05 gal
30.48 L · about $30.36
Round trip
$60.71
16.1 gal · 60.96 L
Estimated CO2
71.5 kg one way
Round trip: 143.1 kg / 315 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.36 $60.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.24 $68.47
Premium $4.65 $37.46 $74.93
Diesel $5.30 $42.70 $85.39

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Colfax and Sterling Heights. The current time is 04:30:21.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.