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

The driving distance from Denton, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 48.1 miles (77.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 33.6 miles (54.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
48.08 mi
00h 55m
Flight
33.63 mi
54.13 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Denton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
33.63 mi
Kilometers
54.13 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.08 mi
Kilometers
77.38 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Wed, May 13, 6:04 PM EDT
Return by in Denton
Wed, May 13, 7:00 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Denton
2026-05-13T17:09
Arrive Sterling Heights
Wed, May 13, 6:04 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:40 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Denton
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Dearborn Heights
MI

A city in Wayne County, Michigan.

From Denton
23.9 mi
00h 27m
To Sterling Heights
24.2 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph W
Destination
64°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, May 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 16 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Denton Road

    1341 ft · 28 sec · Denton Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Michigan Avenue

    4.5 mi · 6 min · Michigan Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 275 North: Flint

    1421 ft · 40 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight right

    6.9 mi · 7 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 96 East, M 14: Detroit, Ann Arbor

    1075 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 96 East: Detroit

    2888 ft · 1 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    8.8 mi · 9 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Davison Avenue

    1519 ft · 37 sec

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 5 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Davison Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Davison Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo

    2332 ft · 56 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    2346 ft · 56 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron

    1036 ft · 25 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I-75 North to I-696 East

    2136 ft · 52 sec · I-75 North to I-696 East

  17. 17

    Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road

    1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East

  19. 19

    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

  20. 20

    Turn straight onto Mound Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road

  21. 21

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Denton 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
22 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
45.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 96 East
9.58 mi · 20%
I 275 North
7.13 mi · 15%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 13%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.32 mi · 11%
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi · 10%
Michigan Avenue
4.53 mi · 9%
Longest Stretch

I 96 East

Merge slight left

8.83 mi · 00h 09m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.5 mi
33.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dearborn Heights
00h 27m from Denton
Leave By
4:40 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Denton and Chance Rain Showers near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 48.1 miles (77.4 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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 Heights is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.9 miles from Denton and 24.2 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 33.6 miles (54.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.5 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 4:40 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.41 one way or $12.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Denton and Chance Rain Showers near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Dearborn Heights

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dearborn Heights, 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 Dearborn Heights.

RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

4 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

6 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Detroit

17 mi away
11 West Baltimore Ave.
RAIL

Royal Oak station

20 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Denton and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 33.63 mi (54.13 km).

Denton

#1 Denton

Township in Roscommon County, Michigan

Population5,424
Coordinates42.2578200, -83.5241000
Altitude215
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: Denton Road (-83.524124, 42.257819)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 77 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.7 gal
6.42 L · about $6.41
Round trip
$12.82
3.4 gal · 12.84 L
Estimated CO2
15.1 kg one way
Round trip: 30.2 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $6.41 $12.82
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.23 $14.46
Premium $4.65 $7.91 $15.82
Diesel $5.30 $9.02 $18.03

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Denton and Sterling Heights. The current time is 17:09:45.

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.