How far is Paw Paw Lake, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Paw Paw Lake, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 193.2 miles (311 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 167.3 miles (269.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Jackson County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paw Paw Lake and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paw Paw Lake and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on Center
4 m · 7 sec · Center
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2
Turn left onto Paw Paw Lake Road
1.5 mi · 4 min · Paw Paw Lake Road
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3
Turn right onto Hagar Shore Road
2721 ft · 42 sec · Hagar Shore Road
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4
Turn right onto M-140
2.5 mi · 4 min · M-140
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5
Continue on Watervliet Road
843 ft · 14 sec · Watervliet Road
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6
Continue on North Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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7
Continue on Watervliet Road
727 ft · 19 sec · Watervliet Road
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8
Take the ramp left
1679 ft · 41 sec
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9
Merge slight left
129.8 mi · 2 hr 19 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth
4.7 mi · 5 min
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11
Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth
2.4 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia
15.1 mi · 16 min
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13
Continue straight
9.2 mi · 10 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.3 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Davison Avenue
1519 ft · 37 sec
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16
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 5 min
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17
Continue on Davison Freeway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Davison Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
2332 ft · 56 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
2346 ft · 56 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.6 mi · 5 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1036 ft · 25 sec
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22
Keep slight right to continue on I-75 North to I-696 East
2136 ft · 52 sec · I-75 North to I-696 East
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23
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road
1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East
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25
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
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26
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road
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27
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paw Paw Lake and Sterling Heights.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Watervliet Road
Merge slight left
130 mi · 02h 19m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Paw Paw 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 Paw Paw Lake to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 193.2 miles (311 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Parma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 96.7 miles from Paw Paw Lake and 96.6 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 167.3 miles (269.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:48 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.72 one way or $51.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 60.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Paw Paw Lake and Partly Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Parma
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 Parma.
Albion station
Jackson station
Battle Creek Transportation Center
East Lansing station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paw Paw Lake and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 167.35 mi (269.32 km).
#1 Paw Paw Lake
Unincorporated community in Michigan
| Population | 3,511 |
| Coordinates | 42.2122600, -86.2719700 |
| Altitude | 199 |
| 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: 311 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 26m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.01 | $58.01 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $31.74 | $63.48 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $36.17 | $72.35 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.