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

The driving distance from Prudenville, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 143.9 miles (231.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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
173.67 mi
02h 37m
Flight
143.9 mi
231.59 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Prudenville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
143.9 mi
Kilometers
231.59 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
173.67 mi
Kilometers
279.5 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Sun, May 24, 11:45 PM EDT
Return by in Prudenville
Mon, May 25, 2:23 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Prudenville
2026-05-24T21:08
Arrive Sterling Heights
Sun, May 24, 11:45 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM EDT

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

Leave by
1:16 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Prudenville
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
Buena Vista
MI

Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States

From Prudenville
85.9 mi
01h 18m
To Sterling Heights
87.8 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
64°F
This Afternoon

Rain Showers

Starts
Sun, May 24 1:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph SW
Destination
52°F
Overnight

Patchy Fog

Starts
Sun, May 24 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    813 ft · 41 sec · Main Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Midland

    707 ft · 32 sec · Midland

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West Houghton Lake Drive

    3065 ft · 52 sec · West Houghton Lake Drive

  4. 4

    Turn straight onto West Branch Road

    108.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min · West Branch Road

  5. 5

    Keep slight left

    11 mi · 12 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left

    36.8 mi · 39 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica

    1392 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    9.6 mi · 10 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road

    1449 ft · 35 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Dobry Drive

    1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Mound Road

    1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
14 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Branch Road
156 mi · 90%
M 59 East
9.83 mi · 6%
Mound Road
3.77 mi · 2%
17 Mile Road
1 mi · 1%
West Houghton Lake Drive
0.58 mi
Dobry Drive
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

West Branch Road

Turn straight onto West Branch Road

108 mi · 01h 54m

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 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.8 mi
143.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
01h 18m from Prudenville
Leave By
1:16 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain Showers leaving Prudenville and Patchy Fog near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Prudenville to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 173.7 miles (279.5 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?

Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.9 miles from Prudenville and 87.8 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 143.9 miles (231.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.8 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 1:16 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.12 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Prudenville and Patchy Fog near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

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 Buena Vista and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Food stop 12.6 mi away

Old City Hall

Bay City , MI
814 Saginaw St, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 4.5/5 660 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Bar,Restaurant
Bay City Hall
Meeting point 12.2 mi away

Bay City Hall

Bay City , MI
301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 3.7/5 14 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.

BUS

Saginaw, MI

3 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Bay City, MI

20 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
RAIL

Flint station

49 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
BUS

Owosso, MI

52 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Prudenville and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 143.9 mi (231.59 km).

Prudenville

#1 Prudenville

Census designated place

Population1,682
Coordinates44.2983500, -84.6519700
Altitude349
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: Main Street (-84.651949, 44.298381)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 280 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 28m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 10m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.13 gal
23.2 L · about $23.12
Round trip
$46.23
12.26 gal · 46.4 L
Estimated CO2
54.5 kg one way
Round trip: 109 kg / 240 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $23.12 $46.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.07 $52.14
Premium $4.65 $28.53 $57.06
Diesel $5.30 $32.51 $65.03

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 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Prudenville and Sterling Heights. The current time is 21:08:18.

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.