How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Bear Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Bear Lake, MI is about 235.2 miles (378.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 201.4 miles (324.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 30m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 45m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 largest city in Midland County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Bear Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Bear Lake.
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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
51.3 mi · 55 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West: Midland
1046 ft · 36 sec
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11
Continue straight
11.3 mi · 11 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on US 10: Clare
38 mi · 38 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac
7.6 mi · 8 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward M 115: Cadillac
2678 ft · 1 min
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15
Turn right onto Cadillac Drive
55.3 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Cadillac Drive
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West M-115 Highway
39 m · 2 sec · West M-115 Highway
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17
Exit the roundabout onto West M-115 Highway
2664 ft · 51 sec · West M-115 Highway
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18
Continue on East Mesick Avenue
2937 ft · 1 min · East Mesick Avenue
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19
Continue on West M-115 Highway
5.3 mi · 6 min · West M-115 Highway
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20
Turn left onto Harlan Road
2597 ft · 1 min · Harlan Road
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21
Turn right onto Thirteen Mile Road
15.4 mi · 28 min · Thirteen Mile Road
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22
Turn left onto Lake Street
1 mi · 2 min · Lake Street
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23
Turn left onto Virginia Street
951 ft · 44 sec · Virginia Street
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24
Turn right onto Stuart Street
525 ft · 23 sec · Stuart Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Stuart Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Bear Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Cadillac Drive
Turn right onto Cadillac Drive
55.3 mi · 01h 16m
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 Rain Showers Likely near Bear Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Bear Lake?
The road trip is about 235.2 miles (378.5 km) and usually takes 04h 45m 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?
Midland is a useful midpoint, sitting about 117.4 miles from Sterling Heights and 117.7 miles from Bear Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 201.4 miles (324.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 33.8 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:30 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.01 one way or $72.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 73.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Sterling Heights and Rain Showers Likely near Bear Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Midland
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 Midland.
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Bear Lake. Straight-line distance: 201.44 mi (324.19 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 Bear Lake
Village in Manistee County, Michigan, USA
| Population | 288 |
| Coordinates | 44.4208300, -86.1481400 |
| Altitude | 241 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bear Lake (-86.14814, 44.42083)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 379 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.34 | $36.01 | $72.03 |
| Mid-grade | $5.02 | $41.67 | $83.35 |
| Premium | $5.62 | $46.63 | $93.26 |
| Diesel | $6.61 | $54.85 | $109.69 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026