How far is Rockwood, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Rockwood, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 46.4 miles (74.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 00h 52m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
The twenty-fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Detroit metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockwood and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockwood and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on Church Street
115 m · 17 sec · Church Street
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2
Turn straight onto Burton Street
65 m · 9 sec · Burton Street
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3
Continue on Burton Street
17 m · 7 sec · Burton Street
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4
Turn left onto Fort Road
1802 ft · 49 sec · Fort Road
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5
Turn right onto Huron River Drive
629 ft · 23 sec · Huron River Drive
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 75 North: Detroit
2341 ft · 57 sec
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7
Merge slight left
7.7 mi · 8 min
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8
Continue on Fisher Freeway
11.1 mi · 12 min · Fisher Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Fisher Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Fisher Freeway
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10
Take the exit slight left toward I 96 West: Lansing, Michigan Avenue
3086 ft · 48 sec
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11
Continue on Jeffries Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Jeffries Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Chicago, Port Huron
953 ft · 27 sec
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 East: Port Huron
1249 ft · 31 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Edsel Ford Freeway
2 mi · 3 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
92 m · 6 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
2575 ft · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
7.8 mi · 9 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1036 ft · 25 sec
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19
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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20
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road
1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East
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22
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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23
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road
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24
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockwood and Sterling Heights.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Fisher Freeway
Continue on Fisher Freeway
11.1 mi · 00h 12m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Rockwood and Chance Snow Showers near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockwood to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 46.4 miles (74.7 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Detroit is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23 miles from Rockwood and 23.4 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.9 miles (59.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.18 one way or $12.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Rockwood and Chance Snow Showers near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Detroit
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 Detroit.
Detroit
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockwood and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 36.89 mi (59.37 km).
#1 Rockwood
City in Wayne County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 3,146 |
| Coordinates | 42.0708800, -83.2466000 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| 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: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.18 | $12.37 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $6.97 | $13.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $7.63 | $15.27 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $8.70 | $17.40 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.