How far is Lake Isabella, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Lake Isabella, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 156.2 miles (251.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 35m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Village in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Patchy Fog
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lake Isabella and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Isabella and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on North Clubhouse Drive
2407 ft · 2 min · North Clubhouse Drive
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Coldwater Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Coldwater Road
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3
Turn left onto West River Road
11 mi · 17 min · West River Road
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4
Turn right onto Craig Hill Road
592 ft · 16 sec · Craig Hill Road
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5
Turn straight onto South Mission Road
1210 ft · 26 sec · South Mission Road
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6
Turn left onto East River Road
2755 ft · 46 sec · East River Road
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7
Turn left onto River Road
3143 ft · 51 sec · River Road
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8
Turn right onto South Isabella Road
2648 ft · 46 sec · South Isabella Road
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9
Turn left onto East Airport Road
1 mi · 1 min · East Airport Road
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10
Turn right onto South Summerton Road
2723 ft · 48 sec · South Summerton Road
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11
Turn left onto East Pickard Road
6 mi · 8 min · East Pickard Road
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12
Continue on West Isabella Road
14.9 mi · 20 min · West Isabella Road
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13
Continue on Isabella Street
3 mi · 4 min · Isabella Street
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14
Continue on Fitzhugh Street
969 ft · 23 sec · Fitzhugh Street
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15
Continue on Jerome Street
931 ft · 27 sec · Jerome Street
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16
Turn right onto West Buttles Street
1.1 km · 2 min · West Buttles Street
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17
Turn straight onto Lyon Road
14.7 mi · 16 min · Lyon Road
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, US 23 South: Saginaw
2040 ft · 39 sec
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19
Merge slight left
36.3 mi · 39 min
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20
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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21
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 39 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica
1392 ft · 47 sec
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23
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 10 min
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road
1449 ft · 35 sec
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25
Continue on Dobry Drive
1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive
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26
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
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27
Continue on Mound Road
1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road
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28
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lake Isabella and Sterling Heights.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 75 South
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 00h 39m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Patchy Fog leaving Lake Isabella and Showers And Thunderstorms near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lake Isabella to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 156.2 miles (251.3 km) and usually takes 02h 35m 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?
Birch Run is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.5 miles from Lake Isabella and 78.6 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 1:20 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.78 one way or $41.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Patchy Fog around Lake Isabella and Showers And Thunderstorms near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Birch Run
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 Birch Run.
Saginaw, MI
Flint station
Bay City, MI
Durand Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lake Isabella and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 123.45 mi (198.68 km).
#1 Lake Isabella
Village in Michigan, United States
| Population | 1,688 |
| Coordinates | 43.6436400, -84.9972500 |
| Altitude | 272 |
| 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: 251 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.78 | $41.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.43 | $46.87 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.64 | $51.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.23 | $58.45 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.