How far is Pine River, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?

The driving distance from Pine River, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 134.2 miles (215.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 06m 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
134.18 mi
02h 03m
Flight
106.12 mi
170.78 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Pine River.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
106.12 mi
Kilometers
170.78 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
134.18 mi
Kilometers
215.94 km
Drive Time
02h 03m

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 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Sun, May 3, 3:53 AM EDT
Return by in Pine River
Sun, May 3, 5:56 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Pine River
2026-05-03T01:49
Arrive Sterling Heights
Sun, May 3, 3:53 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:24 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Pine River
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
Clio
MI

City in Michigan, United States

From Pine River
67 mi
01h 01m
To Sterling Heights
67.2 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Sunday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph W
Destination
63°F
Sunday

Areas Of Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 3 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 18 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pine River and Sterling Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on Arenac State Road

    52 m · 5 sec · Arenac State Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Pine River Road

    2.9 mi · 11 min · Pine River Road

  3. 3

    Continue on East Cedar Street

    1.2 mi · 3 min · East Cedar Street

  4. 4

    Continue on West M-61

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West M-61

  5. 5

    Take the ramp left toward I 75 South: Saginaw

    1735 ft · 42 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Saginaw

    64.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 39 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica

    1392 ft · 47 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    9.6 mi · 10 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

    1449 ft · 35 sec

  12. 12

    Continue on Dobry Drive

    1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  14. 14

    Continue on Mound Road

    1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
16 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Saginaw
112 mi · 84%
M 59 East
9.83 mi · 7%
Mound Road
3.77 mi · 3%
Pine River Road
2.88 mi · 2%
West M-61
2.37 mi · 2%
East Cedar Street
1.25 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Saginaw

Merge slight left onto Saginaw

64.5 mi · 01h 07m

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 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+28.1 mi
106.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Clio
01h 01m from Pine River
Leave By
2:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Pine River and Areas Of Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Pine River to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 134.2 miles (215.9 km) and usually takes 02h 03m 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?

Clio is a useful midpoint, sitting about 67 miles from Pine River and 67.2 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 106.1 miles (170.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 28.1 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 2:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.84 one way or $35.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 42 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Pine River and Areas Of Frost then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Clio

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

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

RAIL

Flint station

19 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Saginaw, MI

33 mi away
511 Johnson Street
RAIL

Durand Union Station

36 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Lapeer station

38 mi away
73 Howard St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Pine River and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 106.12 mi (170.78 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Pine River

Township in Arenac County, Michigan

Population2,197
Coordinates43.9833500, -83.8886000
Altitude183
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: Arenac State Road (-83.888778, 43.98341)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 216 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 21m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 41m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.73 gal
17.92 L · about $17.84
Round trip
$35.67
9.46 gal · 35.84 L
Estimated CO2
42 kg one way
Round trip: 84.1 kg / 185 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $17.84 $35.67
Mid-grade $4.25 $20.12 $40.23
Premium $4.65 $22.01 $44.03
Diesel $5.30 $25.09 $50.18

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 03, 2026

There is no time difference between Pine River and Sterling Heights. The current time is 01:49:54.

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.