How far is Southgate, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Southgate, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.7 miles (42.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 30m 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 45m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Southgate and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southgate and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on Dix-Toledo Highway
2600 ft · 58 sec · Dix-Toledo Highway
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2
Continue on Dix Highway
1.4 mi · 3 min · Dix Highway
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3
Take the ramp slight right toward I 75 North: Detroit
1433 ft · 35 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Fisher Freeway
6 mi · 7 min · Fisher Freeway
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5
Keep slight left to continue on Fisher Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Fisher Freeway
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6
Take the exit slight left toward I 96 West: Lansing, Michigan Avenue
3086 ft · 48 sec
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7
Continue on Jeffries Freeway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Jeffries Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 94 West, I 94 East: Chicago, Port Huron
953 ft · 27 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 East: Port Huron
1249 ft · 31 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Edsel Ford Freeway
2 mi · 3 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo
92 m · 6 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint
2575 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
7.8 mi · 9 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1036 ft · 25 sec
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15
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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16
Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road
1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East
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18
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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19
Turn straight onto Mound Road
5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road
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20
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Southgate 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
7.84 mi · 00h 09m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Southgate and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Southgate to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?
Hamtramck is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.2 miles from Southgate and 17.6 miles from Sterling Heights.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.7 miles (42.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 7:00 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.64 one way or $9.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Southgate and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Sterling Heights.
Stop Ideas Near Hamtramck
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 Hamtramck.
Detroit
Royal Oak station
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Southgate and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 26.66 mi (42.9 km).
#1 Southgate
City in Wayne County in the state of Michigan
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 42.2139300, -83.1938100 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| 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: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.64 | $9.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.23 | $10.46 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.72 | $11.45 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.52 | $13.05 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.