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

The driving distance from Pickford, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 321.3 miles (517.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 46m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 255.8 miles (411.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
321.31 mi
04h 46m
Flight
255.79 mi
411.66 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pickford.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
255.79 mi
Kilometers
411.66 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
321.31 mi
Kilometers
517.1 km
Drive Time
04h 46m

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 04h 46m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Sun, May 31, 12:20 AM EDT
Return by in Pickford
Sun, May 31, 5:07 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pickford
2026-05-30T19:33
Arrive Sterling Heights
Sun, May 31, 12:20 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 46m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:47 AM to 12:47 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:26 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pickford
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Maple Valley
MI

Township in Montcalm County, Michigan

From Pickford
159.8 mi
02h 23m
To Sterling Heights
161.5 mi
02h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 mph E
Destination
72°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 30 3:00 PM EDT
Wind
10 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South M 129

    2 mi · 3 min · South M 129

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West M 48

    11.1 mi · 17 min · West M 48

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Mackinac Trail

    10.3 mi · 18 min · South Mackinac Trail

  4. 4

    Turn sharp left onto North Huron Shore Drive

    1289 ft · 24 sec · North Huron Shore Drive

  5. 5

    Take the ramp right

    1899 ft · 46 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    108.9 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit

    124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 39 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica

    1392 ft · 47 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left

    9.6 mi · 10 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

    1449 ft · 35 sec

  13. 13

    Continue on Dobry Drive

    1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Mound Road

    1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
17 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75
172 mi · 54%
North Huron Shore Drive
110 mi · 34%
West M 48
11.1 mi · 3%
South Mackinac Trail
10.3 mi · 3%
M 59 East
9.83 mi · 3%
Mound Road
3.77 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75

Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit

124 mi · 02h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 46m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+65.5 mi
255.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Maple Valley
02h 23m from Pickford
Leave By
7:26 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Pickford 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 Pickford to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 321.3 miles (517.1 km) and usually takes 04h 46m 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?

Maple Valley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 159.8 miles from Pickford and 161.5 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 255.8 miles (411.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 65.5 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 7:26 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.76 one way or $85.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 100.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Maple Valley

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

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

BUS

Manton, Michigan

72 mi away
Junction U.S. 131 & M-42
BUS

Cadillac, Michigan

73 mi away
1202 North Mitchell St.
BUS

Tawas City, MI

77 mi away
1020 West Lake Street
BUS

Kingsley, Michigan

89 mi away
119 E. Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pickford and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 255.79 mi (411.66 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Pickford

Township of Michigan

Population1,553
Coordinates46.1578000, -84.3636500
Altitude184
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: South M 129 (-84.363468, 46.157799)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 517 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.34 gal
42.92 L · about $42.76
Round trip
$85.53
22.68 gal · 85.84 L
Estimated CO2
100.8 kg one way
Round trip: 201.6 kg / 444 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $42.76 $85.53
Mid-grade $4.25 $48.23 $96.46
Premium $4.65 $52.78 $105.55
Diesel $5.30 $60.15 $120.29

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 Pickford and Sterling Heights. The current time is 19:33:29.

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.