How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Alpena, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Alpena, MI is about 236.9 miles (381.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Bay County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Alpena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Alpena.
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1
Start on 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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2
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
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3
Continue on Mound Road
784 ft · 24 sec · Mound Road
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4
Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive
996 ft · 24 sec · M-59 Service Drive
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5
Take the ramp straight toward M 59 West
1742 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 10 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Flint
2907 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
32.8 mi · 35 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
52.4 mi · 56 min
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10
Keep slight left
26.6 mi · 27 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward M 61: Standish, Gladwin
2011 ft · 51 sec
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12
Turn right onto M-61
2.1 mi · 3 min · M-61
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13
Continue on West Cedar Street
3191 ft · 1 min · West Cedar Street
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14
Turn left onto North Main Street
2903 ft · 1 min · North Main Street
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15
Continue on West Huron Road
6.3 mi · 9 min · West Huron Road
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16
Continue on West Center Road
1 km · 1 min · West Center Road
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17
Continue on East Huron Road
2 mi · 3 min · East Huron Road
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18
Turn left onto North Hale Road
4 mi · 5 min · North Hale Road
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19
Continue on State Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · State Street
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20
Continue on Hale Road
2.9 mi · 3 min · Hale Road
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21
Continue on State Highway 65
4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65
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22
Continue on South Bullock Street
1.6 km · 1 min · South Bullock Street
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23
Continue on State Highway 65
4.5 mi · 5 min · State Highway 65
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24
Continue on M 65
4.4 mi · 5 min · M 65
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25
Continue on State Highway 65
1.5 mi · 2 min · State Highway 65
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26
Continue on M 65
4 mi · 5 min · M 65
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27
Continue on State Highway 65
10.9 mi · 13 min · State Highway 65
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28
Continue on Baker Road
1.5 mi · 2 min · Baker Road
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29
Continue on South State Road
3.2 mi · 4 min · South State Road
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30
Continue on State Highway 65
38.8 mi · 45 min · State Highway 65
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31
Continue straight
15.7 mi · 20 min
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32
Turn right onto East Chisholm Street
83 m · 9 sec · East Chisholm Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Chisholm Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Alpena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
52.4 mi · 00h 56m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Light Rain leaving Sterling Heights and Chance Rain Showers near Alpena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Alpena?
The road trip is about 236.9 miles (381.3 km) and usually takes 04h 32m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Pinconning is a useful midpoint, sitting about 118.4 miles from Sterling Heights and 118.5 miles from Alpena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 172.6 miles (277.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:54 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.53 one way or $63.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 74.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sterling Heights and Chance Rain Showers near Alpena.
Stop Ideas Near Pinconning
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 Pinconning.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Tawas City, MI
Flint station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Alpena. Straight-line distance: 172.62 mi (277.8 km).
#1 Sterling Heights
The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.
| Population | 131,709 |
| Coordinates | 42.5803100, -83.0302000 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Alpena
City in and county seat of Alpena County, Michigan, United States
| Population | 8,696 |
| Coordinates | 45.0616800, -83.4327500 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Alpena (-83.43275, 45.06168)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 381 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $31.53 | $63.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.56 | $71.11 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $38.91 | $77.81 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $44.34 | $88.68 |
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 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.