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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Auburn, MI is about 105.5 miles (169.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 88 miles (141.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 55m 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
105.49 mi
01h 57m
Flight
88.02 mi
141.65 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sterling Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
88.02 mi
Kilometers
141.65 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
105.49 mi
Kilometers
169.77 km
Drive Time
01h 57m

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 01h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Auburn
Mon, Apr 13, 8:34 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Mon, Apr 13, 10:32 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-04-13T06:37
Arrive Auburn
Mon, Apr 13, 8:34 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:58 AM to 11:58 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:34 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sterling Heights
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
Flint
MI

The largest city in Genesee County, Michigan.

From Sterling Heights
52.7 mi
00h 58m
To Auburn
52.8 mi
00h 58m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Monday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
15 mph SW
Destination
73°F
Monday

Light Rain Likely

Starts
Mon, Apr 13 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
20 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Mound Road

    784 ft · 24 sec · Mound Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive

    996 ft · 24 sec · M-59 Service Drive

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward M 59 West

    1742 ft · 43 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    9.1 mi · 10 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Flint

    2907 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    32.8 mi · 35 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw

    51.3 mi · 55 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West: Midland

    1046 ft · 36 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    6 mi · 6 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Nine Mile Road

    1042 ft · 28 sec

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Auburn Street

    2219 ft · 1 min · South Auburn Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West Midland Street

    26 m · 2 sec · West Midland Street

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Midland Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
15 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75
51.3 mi · 49%
I 75 North
33.4 mi · 32%
M 59 West
9.48 mi · 9%
US 10 West
6.17 mi · 6%
Mound Road
3.4 mi · 3%
17 Mile Road
1 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75

Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw

51.3 mi · 00h 55m

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
01h 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.5 mi
88 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Flint
00h 58m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
2:34 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain leaving Sterling Heights and Light Rain Likely near Auburn.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 105.5 miles (169.8 km) and usually takes 01h 57m 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?

Flint is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.7 miles from Sterling Heights and 52.8 miles from Auburn.

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

The direct path is about 88 miles (141.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.5 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 2:34 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.03 one way or $28.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sterling Heights and Light Rain Likely near Auburn.

Stop Ideas Near Flint

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Flint, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Flint.

RAIL

Flint station

3 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
RAIL

Durand Union Station

27 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Lapeer station

31 mi away
73 Howard St.
BUS

Owosso, MI

39 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Auburn. Straight-line distance: 88.02 mi (141.65 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Auburn

#2 Auburn

City in Michigan, USA

Population2,069
Coordinates43.6033600, -84.0697000
Altitude188
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Auburn (-84.0697, 43.60336)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 170 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.72 gal
14.09 L · about $14.03
Round trip
$28.06
7.44 gal · 28.18 L
Estimated CO2
33.1 kg one way
Round trip: 66.1 kg / 146 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $14.03 $28.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.82 $31.64
Premium $4.65 $17.31 $34.63
Diesel $5.30 $19.73 $39.46

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

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Auburn. The current time is 06:37:09.

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.