How far is Ford River, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Ford River, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 429.4 miles (691 km), with a travel time of about 06h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 295.5 miles (475.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 04m 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 32m.
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.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ford River and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ford River and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on 9.9 Lane
26 m · 5 sec · 9.9 Lane
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2
Merge slight right onto Lake Shore
8.6 mi · 11 min · Lake Shore
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3
Continue on US-2/US-41/M-35
46 mi · 55 min · US-2/US-41/M-35
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4
Continue on West Lakeshore Drive
88.4 mi · 1 hr 44 min · West Lakeshore Drive
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5
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
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6
Continue on US-2 West
2455 ft · 46 sec · US-2 West
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South: Mackinac Bridge
1819 ft · 44 sec
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8
Merge slight left
94.1 mi · 1 hr 37 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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10
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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11
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 39 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica
1392 ft · 47 sec
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13
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 10 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road
1449 ft · 35 sec
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15
Continue on Dobry Drive
1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive
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16
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
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17
Continue on Mound Road
1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road
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18
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ford River and Sterling Heights.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Sunny leaving Ford River 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 Ford River to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 429.4 miles (691 km) and usually takes 06h 32m 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 213.8 miles from Ford River and 215.6 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 295.5 miles (475.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 133.9 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 $57.13 one way or $114.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 134.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ford River 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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Alanson, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ford River and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 295.54 mi (475.63 km).
#1 Ford River
Human settlement in Delta County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,993 |
| Coordinates | 45.6794100, -87.1401300 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| 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: 691 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $57.13 | $114.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $64.43 | $128.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $70.51 | $141.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $80.36 | $160.71 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.