How far is Imlay City, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Imlay City, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 33.3 miles (53.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Macomb County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Imlay City and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Imlay City and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on North Almont Avenue
95 m · 11 sec · North Almont Avenue
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2
Turn right onto East 4th Street
1663 ft · 48 sec · East 4th Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Cedar Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · North Cedar Street
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4
Continue on Van Dyke Road
5.6 mi · 8 min · Van Dyke Road
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5
Turn right onto North Main Street
1.4 km · 2 min · North Main Street
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6
Continue on Van Dyke Road
24.5 mi · 30 min · Van Dyke Road
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7
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
755 ft · 17 sec · 17 Mile Road
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8
Turn right
41 m · 15 sec
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9
Turn left
66 m · 16 sec
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10
Turn right
41 m · 12 sec
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11
Turn right
60 m · 20 sec
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto 17 Mile Road
819 ft · 20 sec · 17 Mile Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Imlay City and Sterling Heights.
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.
Van Dyke Road
Continue on Van Dyke Road
24.5 mi · 00h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny leaving Imlay City and Mostly Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Imlay City to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 33.3 miles (53.6 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Romeo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.8 miles from Imlay City and 16.5 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.8 miles (49.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:10 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.45 one way or $8.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Imlay City and Mostly Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Romeo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Rochester Municipal Complex
City of Sterling Heights
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Romeo.
Pontiac Transportation Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Troy Transit Center
Lapeer station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Imlay City and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 30.8 mi (49.57 km).
#1 Imlay City
City in Lapeer County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 3,569 |
| Coordinates | 43.0247500, -83.0777200 |
| Altitude | 252 |
| 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: 54 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.45 | $8.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.02 | $10.04 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.49 | $10.98 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.26 | $12.52 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.