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

The driving distance from Long Lake, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 133.9 miles (215.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 25m 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
173.19 mi
02h 42m
Flight
133.91 mi
215.51 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Long Lake.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
133.91 mi
Kilometers
215.51 km
Flight Time
00h 16m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.19 mi
Kilometers
278.73 km
Drive Time
02h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Sat, May 2, 2:01 AM EDT
Return by in Long Lake
Sat, May 2, 4:44 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Long Lake
2026-05-01T23:18
Arrive Sterling Heights
Sat, May 2, 2:01 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:04 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Long 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
Buena Vista
MI

Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States

From Long Lake
84.2 mi
01h 21m
To Sterling Heights
89 mi
01h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
46°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NW
Destination
52°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Long Lake Road

    1.7 mi · 3 min · Long Lake Road

  2. 2

    Continue on North Wilson Creek Road

    1653 ft · 33 sec · North Wilson Creek Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Wilson Creek

    2330 ft · 47 sec · Wilson Creek

  4. 4

    Continue on Long Lake Road

    2537 ft · 51 sec · Long Lake Road

  5. 5

    Continue on West Webb

    1.3 km · 1 min · West Webb

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on West Webb

    150 m · 10 sec · West Webb

  7. 7

    Continue on Putnam Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Putnam Road

  8. 8

    Turn left onto West Esmond Road

    1 km · 1 min · West Esmond Road

  9. 9

    Continue on West Main Street

    1788 ft · 40 sec · West Main Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto State Highway 65

    2900 ft · 49 sec · State Highway 65

  11. 11

    Continue on M 65

    4.4 mi · 5 min · M 65

  12. 12

    Continue on State Highway 65

    4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65

  13. 13

    Continue on North Bullock Street

    1.6 km · 1 min · North Bullock Street

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 65

    4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65

  15. 15

    Continue on Hale Road

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Hale Road

  16. 16

    Continue on State Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · State Street

  17. 17

    Continue on North Hale Road

    4 mi · 5 min · North Hale Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Huron Road

    2 mi · 3 min · West Huron Road

  19. 19

    Continue on Center Road

    1 km · 1 min · Center Road

  20. 20

    Continue on West Huron Road

    6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road

  21. 21

    Continue on North Main Street

    2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto West Cedar Street

    3191 ft · 54 sec · West Cedar Street

  23. 23

    Continue on West M-61

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West M-61

  24. 24

    Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Saginaw

    1735 ft · 42 sec

  25. 25

    Merge slight left onto Saginaw

    64.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  26. 26

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  27. 27

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 39 min

  28. 28

    Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica

    1392 ft · 47 sec

  29. 29

    Merge slight left

    9.6 mi · 10 min

  30. 30

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

    1449 ft · 35 sec

  31. 31

    Continue on Dobry Drive

    1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive

  32. 32

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  33. 33

    Continue on Mound Road

    1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road

  34. 34

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  35. 35

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
35 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Saginaw
112 mi · 65%
M 59 East
9.83 mi · 6%
State Highway 65
9.51 mi · 5%
West Huron Road
8.29 mi · 5%
M 65
4.43 mi · 3%
North Hale Road
3.96 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Saginaw

Merge slight left onto Saginaw

64.5 mi · 01h 07m

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 42m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.3 mi
133.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 21m from Long Lake
Leave By
1:04 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Long Lake and Partly Sunny near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Long Lake to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 173.2 miles (278.7 km) and usually takes 02h 42m 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?

Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.2 miles from Long Lake and 89 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 133.9 miles (215.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.3 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 1:04 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.04 one way or $46.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Long Lake and Partly Sunny near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Buena Vista and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Food stop 14.2 mi away

Old City Hall

Bay City , MI
814 Saginaw St, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 4.5/5 660 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Bar,Restaurant
Bay City Hall
Meeting point 13.8 mi away

Bay City Hall

Bay City , MI
301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 3.7/5 14 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.

BUS

Saginaw, MI

3 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Bay City, MI

20 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
RAIL

Flint station

49 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Owosso, MI

52 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Long Lake and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 133.91 mi (215.51 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Long Lake

Township in Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Population9,442
Coordinates44.4197400, -83.8719300
Altitude280
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: Long Lake Road (-83.872008, 44.41968)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 279 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.11 gal
23.13 L · about $23.04
Round trip
$46.08
12.22 gal · 46.26 L
Estimated CO2
54.3 kg one way
Round trip: 108.6 kg / 239 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.04 $46.08
Mid-grade $4.25 $25.99 $51.97
Premium $4.65 $28.44 $56.87
Diesel $5.30 $32.41 $64.81

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Long Lake and Sterling Heights. The current time is 23:18:56.

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.