How far is Flat Rock, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Flat Rock, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 424.6 miles (683.3 km), with a travel time of about 06h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 304.2 miles (489.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 28m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Township in Otsego County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Flat Rock and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Flat Rock and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on 20th Road
36 m · 5 sec · 20th Road
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2
Continue on County 416 20th Road
3.5 mi · 5 min · County 416 20th Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto County 426 M.5 Road
1 mi · 1 min · County 426 M.5 Road
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4
Turn right onto County 420 21st Road
3 mi · 4 min · County 420 21st Road
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5
Continue on South Hill Road
1 km · 2 min · South Hill Road
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6
Continue on Blackwell Avenue
1279 ft · 35 sec · Blackwell Avenue
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7
Continue on South Hill Road
139 m · 22 sec · South Hill Road
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8
Turn left
133.2 mi · 2 hr 37 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
1819 ft · 44 sec
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10
Merge slight left
94.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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12
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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13
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 39 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica
1392 ft · 47 sec
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15
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 10 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road
1449 ft · 35 sec
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17
Continue on Dobry Drive
1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive
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18
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
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19
Continue on Mound Road
1212 ft · 36 sec · 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 Flat Rock and Sterling Heights.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Longest stretch
Turn left
133 mi · 02h 37m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Flat Rock 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 Flat Rock to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 424.6 miles (683.3 km) and usually takes 06h 28m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Otsego Lake is a useful midpoint, sitting about 211.3 miles from Flat Rock and 213.3 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 304.2 miles (489.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 120.4 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 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $56.49 one way or $112.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 133.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Flat Rock and Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Otsego Lake
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 Otsego Lake.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Flat Rock and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 304.22 mi (489.6 km).
#1 Flat Rock
City in Michigan, United States
| Population | 9,959 |
| Coordinates | 45.8258000, -87.1834700 |
| Altitude | 234 |
| 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: 683 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $56.49 | $112.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $63.71 | $127.42 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $69.72 | $139.43 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $79.45 | $158.91 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.