How far is Lawrence, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?

The driving distance from Lawrence, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 156.2 miles (251.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m 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
178.92 mi
02h 51m
Flight
156.14 mi
251.29 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lawrence.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
156.14 mi
Kilometers
251.29 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.92 mi
Kilometers
287.94 km
Drive Time
02h 51m

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 51m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Fri, Oct 16, 12:06 AM EDT
Return by in Lawrence
Fri, Oct 16, 2:57 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lawrence
2026-10-15T21:15
Arrive Sterling Heights
Fri, Oct 16, 12:06 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 51m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:51 AM to 12:51 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:48 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lawrence
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
Jackson
MI

City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States

From Lawrence
88.6 mi
01h 25m
To Sterling Heights
90.3 mi
01h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
47°F
Tonight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 PM EDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph SSW
Destination
64°F
This Afternoon

Slight Chance Light Rain

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 12:00 PM EDT
Wind
8 mph E

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lawrence and Sterling Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on West Saint Joseph Street

    3037 ft · 1 min · West Saint Joseph Street

  2. 2

    Keep slight right to continue on Red Arrow Highway

    4 mi · 6 min · Red Arrow Highway

  3. 3

    Turn right onto County Road 671

    1.1 km · 58 sec · County Road 671

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto 43rd Street

    88 m · 5 sec · 43rd Street

  5. 5

    Continue on M-51

    117 m · 6 sec · M-51

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 94 East: Detroit

    1298 ft · 32 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left

    114.4 mi · 2 hr 3 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  9. 9

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

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  10. 10

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

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Davison Avenue

    1519 ft · 37 sec

  14. 14

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 5 min

  15. 15

    Continue on Davison Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Davison Freeway

  16. 16

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

    2332 ft · 56 sec

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    2346 ft · 56 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

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

  19. 19

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

    1036 ft · 25 sec

  20. 20

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

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

  21. 21

    Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  22. 22

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road

    1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East

  23. 23

    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

  24. 24

    Turn straight onto Mound Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road

  25. 25

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lawrence and Sterling Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
26 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 East
115 mi · 64%
M 14 East
26.7 mi · 15%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 3%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.32 mi · 3%
M 14
4.69 mi · 3%
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

114 mi · 02h 03m

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
02h 51m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.7 mi
156.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Jackson
01h 25m from Lawrence
Leave By
12:48 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lawrence and Slight Chance Light Rain near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lawrence to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 178.9 miles (287.9 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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?

Jackson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.6 miles from Lawrence and 90.3 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 156.2 miles (251.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.7 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 12:48 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.99 one way or $57.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Lawrence and Slight Chance Light Rain near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Jackson

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

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

RAIL

Jackson station

501 E. Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Albion station

29 mi away
300 North Eaton St.
RAIL

East Lansing station

53 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road
RAIL

Ann Arbor station

54 mi away
325 Depot Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lawrence and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 156.14 mi (251.29 km).

Lawrence

#1 Lawrence

Village in Michigan, United States

Population970
Coordinates42.2192100, -86.0514100
Altitude209
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: West Saint Joseph Street (-86.05141, 42.219248)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 288 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.31 gal
23.9 L · about $28.99
Round trip
$57.98
12.62 gal · 47.8 L
Estimated CO2
56.1 kg one way
Round trip: 112.2 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.59 $28.99 $57.98
Mid-grade $5.25 $33.10 $66.20
Premium $5.85 $36.88 $73.76
Diesel $6.48 $40.89 $81.78

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Lawrence and Sterling Heights. The current time is 21:15:17.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.