How far is Melvindale, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Melvindale, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.9 miles (35.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m 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 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Oakland County, Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Melvindale and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Melvindale and Sterling Heights.
-
1
Start on Oakwood Boulevard
1703 ft · 51 sec · Oakwood Boulevard
-
2
Turn slight left onto Raupp Street
1782 ft · 48 sec · Raupp Street
-
3
Turn left onto South Schaefer Highway
1.2 km · 1 min · South Schaefer Highway
-
4
Continue on Schaefer Road
1631 ft · 38 sec · Schaefer Road
-
5
Take the ramp left
1271 ft · 34 sec
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 East: Detroit
1212 ft · 30 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto Detroit Industrial Expressway
2 mi · 3 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
-
8
Continue on Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
92 m · 6 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
2575 ft · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
7.8 mi · 9 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1036 ft · 25 sec
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on I-75 North to I-696 East
2136 ft · 52 sec · I-75 North to I-696 East
-
14
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road
1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East
-
16
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
-
17
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road
-
18
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Melvindale 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.
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
7.84 mi · 00h 09m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Melvindale and Chance Snow Showers near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Melvindale to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 29.8 miles (47.9 km) and usually takes 00h 38m 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?
Hazel Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.9 miles from Melvindale and 14.9 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.9 miles (35.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 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 7:12 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.96 one way or $7.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Melvindale and Chance Snow Showers near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Hazel Park
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 Hazel Park.
Royal Oak station
Troy Transit Center
Detroit
Birmingham, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Melvindale and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 21.86 mi (35.18 km).
#1 Melvindale
City in Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 10,184 |
| Coordinates | 42.2825400, -83.1752000 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| 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: 48 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.96 | $7.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.47 | $8.93 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.89 | $9.77 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.57 | $11.14 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.