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

The driving distance from Milford, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 29 miles (46.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 51m 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
36.37 mi
00h 55m
Flight
28.97 mi
46.62 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Milford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
28.97 mi
Kilometers
46.62 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
36.37 mi
Kilometers
58.53 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Wed, Apr 22, 10:23 PM EDT
Return by in Milford
Wed, Apr 22, 11:18 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Milford
2026-04-22T21:27
Arrive Sterling Heights
Wed, Apr 22, 10:23 PM EDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:56 AM to 10:56 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:38 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Milford
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
Pontiac
MI

The most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.

From Milford
17.5 mi
00h 27m
To Sterling Heights
18.8 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 mph NNE
Destination
70°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Union Street

    122 m · 15 sec · Union Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Summit Street

    2792 ft · 2 min · East Summit Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Commerce Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · Commerce Street

  4. 4

    Continue on East Commerce Road

    3.6 mi · 6 min · East Commerce Road

  5. 5

    Continue on West Wise Road

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West Wise Road

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Union Lake Road

    1.4 km · 2 min · Union Lake Road

  7. 7

    Turn right onto Cooley Lake Road

    4.2 mi · 8 min · Cooley Lake Road

  8. 8

    Turn right onto Elizabeth Lake Road

    1.5 mi · 3 min · Elizabeth Lake Road

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Huron Street

    15.6 mi · 21 min · West Huron Street

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

    1449 ft · 35 sec

  11. 11

    Continue on Dobry Drive

    1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  13. 13

    Continue on Mound Road

    1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
15 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
41.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Huron Street
15.6 mi · 43%
Cooley Lake Road
4.23 mi · 12%
Mound Road
3.77 mi · 10%
East Commerce Road
3.59 mi · 10%
West Wise Road
2.41 mi · 7%
Elizabeth Lake Road
1.51 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

West Huron Street

Turn right onto West Huron Street

15.6 mi · 00h 21m

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
00h 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 52m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
29 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pontiac
00h 27m from Milford
Leave By
4:38 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Milford 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 Milford to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 36.4 miles (58.5 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Pontiac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Milford and 18.8 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 29 miles (46.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 4:38 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.83 one way or $9.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Pontiac

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 Pontiac and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Scenic stop 14.9 mi away

City of Ferndale City Hall

Ferndale , MI
300 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220
Rating 1.0/5 1 reviews Parking lot
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 8.7 mi away

Rochester Municipal Complex

Rochester , MI
400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307
City Hall,Emergency services,School,University
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.5 mi away

City of Madison Heights

Madison Heights , MI
300 W 13 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Rating 4.8/5 32 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Pontiac.

RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

1 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

13 mi away
449 South Eton St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

13 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive
RAIL

Royal Oak station

20 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Milford and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 28.97 mi (46.62 km).

Milford

#1 Milford

Village in Michigan

Population6,475
Coordinates42.5936400, -83.5993900
Altitude294
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: Union Street (-83.599197, 42.593646)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 59 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 12m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 27m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.28 gal
4.86 L · about $4.83
Round trip
$9.65
2.56 gal · 9.72 L
Estimated CO2
11.4 kg one way
Round trip: 22.8 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.83 $9.65
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.44 $10.89
Premium $4.65 $5.96 $11.91
Diesel $5.30 $6.79 $13.58

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Milford and Sterling Heights. The current time is 21:27:20.

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.