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

The driving distance from Lowell, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 150.6 miles (242.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 119.8 miles (192.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 33m 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
150.56 mi
02h 16m
Flight
119.79 mi
192.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lowell.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
119.79 mi
Kilometers
192.78 km
Flight Time
00h 14m

Driving Distance

Road route
150.56 mi
Kilometers
242.31 km
Drive Time
02h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Sat, May 30, 3:14 AM EDT
Return by in Lowell
Sat, May 30, 5:30 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lowell
2026-05-30T00:57
Arrive Sterling Heights
Sat, May 30, 3:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:56 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lowell
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
Bancroft
MI

Village in Michigan, United States

From Lowell
73.2 mi
01h 08m
To Sterling Heights
77.4 mi
01h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph ENE
Destination
71°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Main Street

    7 m · 4 sec · West Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto South Hudson Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · South Hudson Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Grand River Drive Southeast

    3100 ft · 59 sec · Grand River Drive Southeast

  4. 4

    Continue on Oberley Drive Southeast

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Oberley Drive Southeast

  5. 5

    Continue on Montcalm Avenue Southeast

    811 ft · 13 sec · Montcalm Avenue Southeast

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Montcalm Ware Cutoff

    142 m · 7 sec · Montcalm Ware Cutoff

  7. 7

    Continue on Ware Road

    1978 ft · 31 sec · Ware Road

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto Conklin Ware Cutoff

    141 m · 7 sec · Conklin Ware Cutoff

  9. 9

    Continue on Conklin Road

    1.4 km · 1 min · Conklin Road

  10. 10

    Turn slight left

    122 m · 6 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on Peck Lake Road

    1455 ft · 23 sec · Peck Lake Road

  12. 12

    Turn slight right onto Hastings Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Hastings Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Grand River Avenue

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Grand River Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Nash Highway

    2765 ft · 53 sec · Nash Highway

  15. 15

    Take the ramp left

    1339 ft · 33 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left

    29.5 mi · 32 min

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward I 69 East: Flint

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  18. 18

    Merge slight left

    51.5 mi · 53 min

  19. 19

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75, US 23: Saginaw, Detroit

    1999 ft · 49 sec

  20. 20

    Keep slight right to continue on I 75 South, US 23 South: Detroit

    1919 ft · 47 sec

  21. 21

    Merge slight left

    1.9 mi · 2 min

  22. 22

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 39 min

  23. 23

    Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica

    1392 ft · 47 sec

  24. 24

    Merge slight left

    9.6 mi · 10 min

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

    1449 ft · 35 sec

  26. 26

    Continue on Dobry Drive

    1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  28. 28

    Continue on Mound Road

    1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road

  29. 29

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lowell 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
30 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 69 East
54.1 mi · 36%
I 75 South
39.1 mi · 26%
Nash Highway
30.3 mi · 20%
M 59 East
9.83 mi · 7%
Mound Road
3.77 mi · 3%
Grand River Avenue
2.5 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 69 East

Merge slight left

51.5 mi · 00h 53m

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 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.8 mi
119.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Bancroft
01h 08m from Lowell
Leave By
1:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Lowell and Sunny near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 150.6 miles (242.3 km) and usually takes 02h 16m 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?

Bancroft is a useful midpoint, sitting about 73.2 miles from Lowell and 77.4 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 119.8 miles (192.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.8 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 1:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.02 one way or $40.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lowell and Sunny near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Bancroft

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

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

RAIL

Durand Union Station

7 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
BUS

Owosso, MI

16 mi away
109 Comstock Street
RAIL

Flint station

37 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
RAIL

East Lansing station

39 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lowell and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 119.79 mi (192.78 km).

Lowell

#1 Lowell

City in Kent County, Michigan, United States

Population4,196
Coordinates42.9336400, -85.3419600
Altitude194
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 Main Street (-85.341939, 42.933584)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 242 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 30m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.31 gal
20.11 L · about $20.02
Round trip
$40.05
10.62 gal · 40.22 L
Estimated CO2
47.2 kg one way
Round trip: 94.4 kg / 208 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.02 $40.05
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.58 $45.17
Premium $4.65 $24.71 $49.43
Diesel $5.30 $28.16 $56.33

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 30, 2026

There is no time difference between Lowell and Sterling Heights. The current time is 00:57:25.

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.