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

The driving distance from Erie, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 70 miles (112.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 59.3 miles (95.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 27m 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
69.97 mi
01h 13m
Flight
59.32 mi
95.47 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Erie.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
59.32 mi
Kilometers
95.47 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
69.97 mi
Kilometers
112.6 km
Drive Time
01h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Thu, Apr 30, 8:07 AM EDT
Return by in Erie
Thu, Apr 30, 9:21 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Erie
2026-04-30T06:53
Arrive Sterling Heights
Thu, Apr 30, 8:07 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:14 AM to 11:14 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:02 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Erie
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
Southgate
MI

City in Wayne County in the state of Michigan

From Erie
34.9 mi
00h 36m
To Sterling Heights
35.1 mi
00h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 13 mph NW
Destination
56°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East Erie Road

    42 m · 9 sec · East Erie Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Dixie Highway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · South Dixie Highway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Luna Pier Road

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Luna Pier Road

  4. 4

    Take the ramp left toward I 75 North: Detroit

    1631 ft · 40 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    28.9 mi · 31 min

  6. 6

    Continue on Fisher Freeway

    11.1 mi · 12 min · Fisher Freeway

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on Fisher Freeway

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Fisher Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 96 West: Lansing, Michigan Avenue

    3086 ft · 48 sec

  9. 9

    Continue on Jeffries Freeway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Jeffries Freeway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Chicago, Port Huron

    953 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 94 East: Port Huron

    1249 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Edsel Ford Freeway

    2 mi · 3 min · Edsel Ford Freeway

  13. 13

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

    92 m · 6 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    2575 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    7.8 mi · 9 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  16. 16

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

    1036 ft · 25 sec

  17. 17

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

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

  18. 18

    Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road

    1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East

  20. 20

    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

  21. 21

    Turn straight onto Mound Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road

  22. 22

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Erie 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
23 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
3 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
32.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
29.7 mi · 42%
Fisher Freeway
12.8 mi · 18%
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
7.84 mi · 11%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 9%
Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.08 mi · 4%
Luna Pier Road
2.07 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 75 North

Merge slight left

28.9 mi · 00h 31m

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
01h 13m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+10.7 mi
59.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Southgate
00h 36m from Erie
Leave By
4:02 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Erie and Mostly Sunny then Slight 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 Erie to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 70 miles (112.6 km) and usually takes 01h 13m 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?

Southgate is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.9 miles from Erie and 35.1 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 59.3 miles (95.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 4:02 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.31 one way or $18.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Erie and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Southgate

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

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

RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

11 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

11 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

Detroit

20 mi away
11 West Baltimore Ave.
RAIL

Royal Oak station

31 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Erie and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 59.32 mi (95.47 km).

Erie

#1 Erie

Township in Monroe County, Michigan

Population4,321
Coordinates41.7942100, -83.4963200
Altitude180
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 Erie Road (-83.496313, 41.793984)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 113 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 44m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 23m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 09m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 59m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.47 gal
9.35 L · about $9.31
Round trip
$18.63
4.94 gal · 18.7 L
Estimated CO2
22 kg one way
Round trip: 43.9 kg / 97 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.31 $18.63
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.50 $21.01
Premium $4.65 $11.50 $22.99
Diesel $5.30 $13.10 $26.20

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Erie and Sterling Heights. The current time is 06:53:12.

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.