How far is Royal Oak, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Royal Oak, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 13 miles (20.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 8.6 miles (13.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 23m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Oakland County in the U.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Royal Oak and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Royal Oak and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on the route
38 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right onto West 11 Mile Road
1.5 mi · 4 min · West 11 Mile Road
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3
Turn left onto Stephenson Highway
934 ft · 23 sec · Stephenson Highway
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4
Take the ramp slight left toward I 75 North
882 ft · 22 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.5 mi · 5 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward Rochester Road
2292 ft · 1 min
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7
Turn right onto Rochester Road
793 ft · 18 sec · Rochester Road
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8
Turn right onto East Big Beaver Road
2 mi · 4 min · East Big Beaver Road
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9
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Metropolitan Parkway
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10
Continue on Metropolitan Parkway
580 ft · 22 sec · Metropolitan Parkway
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11
Turn right onto Mound Road
1 mi · 2 min · Mound Road
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12
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Royal Oak and Sterling Heights.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
4.47 mi · 00h 05m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Partly Sunny leaving Royal Oak and 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 Royal Oak to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 13 miles (20.9 km) and usually takes 00h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Clawson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 6.6 miles from Royal Oak and 6.4 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 8.6 miles (13.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.73 one way or $3.47 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Royal Oak and Chance Rain Showers near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Clawson
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 Clawson.
Troy Transit Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Royal Oak station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Royal Oak and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 8.56 mi (13.78 km).
#1 Royal Oak
The most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.
| Population | 58,963 |
| Coordinates | 42.4894800, -83.1446500 |
| Altitude | 202 |
| 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: 21 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $1.73 | $3.47 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $1.96 | $3.91 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $2.14 | $4.28 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $2.44 | $4.88 |
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 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.