How far is Grass Lake, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?

The driving distance from Grass Lake, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 79.6 miles (128.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 21m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 64.5 miles (103.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 43m 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
79.63 mi
01h 21m
Flight
64.49 mi
103.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Grass Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
64.49 mi
Kilometers
103.78 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.63 mi
Kilometers
128.15 km
Drive Time
01h 21m

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 21m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Tue, May 12, 8:48 PM EDT
Return by in Grass Lake
Tue, May 12, 10:10 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grass Lake
2026-05-12T19:27
Arrive Sterling Heights
Tue, May 12, 8:48 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 21m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:22 AM to 11:22 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:46 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Grass Lake
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
Plymouth
MI

City in Wayne County, in the U.

From Grass Lake
39.5 mi
00h 40m
To Sterling Heights
40.1 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
36°F
Overnight

Areas Of Frost

Starts
Tue, May 12 1:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph ESE
Destination
63°F
Tuesday

Patchy Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grass Lake and Sterling Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on South Lake Street

    16 m · 6 sec · South Lake Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Michigan Avenue

    4.4 mi · 8 min · East Michigan Avenue

  3. 3

    Continue on Jackson Road

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Jackson Road

  4. 4

    Continue on Old US 12

    1734 ft · 34 sec · Old US 12

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right toward I 94 East: Dertoit

    1884 ft · 46 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    13.3 mi · 14 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  8. 8

    Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Davison Avenue

    1519 ft · 37 sec

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 5 min

  14. 14

    Continue on Davison Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Davison Freeway

  15. 15

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

    2332 ft · 56 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    2346 ft · 56 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

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

  18. 18

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

    1036 ft · 25 sec

  19. 19

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

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

  20. 20

    Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road

    1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East

  22. 22

    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

  23. 23

    Turn straight onto Mound Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · 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 Grass Lake and Sterling Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
25 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
31.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
M 14 East
26.7 mi · 33%
I 94 East
13.7 mi · 17%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 8%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.32 mi · 7%
M 14
4.69 mi · 6%
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

M 14 East

Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

15.1 mi · 00h 16m

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 21m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+15.1 mi
64.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Plymouth
00h 40m from Grass Lake
Leave By
3:46 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Areas Of Frost leaving Grass Lake and Patchy Frost then 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 Grass Lake to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 79.6 miles (128.1 km) and usually takes 01h 21m 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?

Plymouth is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.5 miles from Grass Lake and 40.1 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 64.5 miles (103.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.1 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 3:46 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.60 one way or $21.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Areas Of Frost around Grass Lake and Patchy Frost then Chance Rain Showers near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Plymouth

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

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

RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

20 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

23 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Ann Arbor station

24 mi away
325 Depot Street
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

30 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grass Lake and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 64.49 mi (103.78 km).

Grass Lake

#1 Grass Lake

Village in Michigan, United States

Population1,140
Coordinates42.2508700, -84.2130100
Altitude303
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: South Lake Street (-84.212874, 42.250917)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 128 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.81 gal
10.64 L · about $10.60
Round trip
$21.19
5.62 gal · 21.28 L
Estimated CO2
25 kg one way
Round trip: 49.9 kg / 110 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $10.60 $21.19
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.95 $23.90
Premium $4.65 $13.08 $26.16
Diesel $5.30 $14.90 $29.81

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 12, 2026

There is no time difference between Grass Lake and Sterling Heights. The current time is 19:27:14.

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.