How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Big Prairie, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Big Prairie, MI is about 182.6 miles (293.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 147 miles (236.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 48m 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 03h 54m.
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 most populous city in Saginaw County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Big Prairie.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Big Prairie.
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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
37.8 mi · 40 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
1287 ft · 45 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Holland Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · East Holland Avenue
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12
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1099 ft · 16 sec · East Holland Avenue
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Holland Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · East Holland Avenue
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14
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Holland Avenue
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15
Turn slight right onto East Remington Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Remington Street
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16
Turn left onto Sheridan Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheridan Avenue
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17
Continue on Williams Street
2311 ft · 34 sec · Williams Street
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18
Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Avenue
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19
Continue on Gratiot Road
11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
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20
Continue on East Saginaw Street
3158 ft · 41 sec · East Saginaw Street
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21
Continue on North Saginaw Street
715 ft · 9 sec · North Saginaw Street
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22
Continue on Gratiot Road
4.1 mi · 5 min · Gratiot Road
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23
Continue on Saginaw Street
2661 ft · 1 min · Saginaw Street
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24
Continue on West Saginaw Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Saginaw Street
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25
Continue on Gratiot Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Road
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26
Continue on East Monroe Road
5 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
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27
Continue on East Saginaw Street
1.6 km · 2 min · East Saginaw Street
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28
Continue on East Monroe Road
5.4 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
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29
Continue on East Washington Street
3137 ft · 1 min · East Washington Street
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30
Continue on West Washington Avenue
3042 ft · 1 min · West Washington Avenue
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31
Continue on West Monroe Road
11 mi · 15 min · West Monroe Road
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32
Continue on Northwest Monroe Road
2394 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Monroe Road
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33
Continue on Howard City Edmore Road
9.1 mi · 12 min · Howard City Edmore Road
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34
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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35
Continue on Howard City-Edmore Road
960 ft · 20 sec · Howard City-Edmore Road
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36
Continue on Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
21 mi · 29 min · Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
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37
Continue on West Edgar Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · West Edgar Road
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38
Take the exit right toward US 131 North: Cadillac
2296 ft · 56 sec
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39
Merge slight left
3.9 mi · 4 min
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40
Take the exit slight right toward Morley
2334 ft · 1 min
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41
Turn left onto Jefferson Road
4.2 mi · 10 min · Jefferson Road
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42
Continue on East 36th Street
2.5 mi · 3 min · East 36th Street
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43
Continue on Croton Hardy Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Croton Hardy Drive
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44
Turn right onto East 40th Street
733 ft · 25 sec · East 40th Street
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45
Continue on Hardy Dam
2396 ft · 1 min · Hardy Dam
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46
Continue on Con Pow Co
894 ft · 30 sec · Con Pow Co
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47
Continue on East 36th Street
1811 ft · 39 sec · East 36th Street
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48
Turn right onto South Elm Avenue
2 mi · 3 min · South Elm Avenue
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49
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Elm Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Big Prairie.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
37.8 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Sunny near Big Prairie.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Big Prairie?
The road trip is about 182.6 miles (293.8 km) and usually takes 03h 54m 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?
Saginaw is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91.2 miles from Sterling Heights and 91.4 miles from Big Prairie.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 147 miles (236.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.6 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 9:12 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.29 one way or $48.57 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sterling Heights and Sunny near Big Prairie.
Stop Ideas Near Saginaw
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saginaw.
Saginaw, MI
Bay City, MI
Owosso, MI
Flint station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Big Prairie. Straight-line distance: 146.96 mi (236.51 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 Big Prairie
Township in Newaygo County, Michigan
| Population | 2,691 |
| Coordinates | 43.5186300, -85.6425500 |
| Altitude | 288 |
| Country | United States |
End: Big Prairie (-85.64255, 43.51863)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 294 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $24.29 | $48.57 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.39 | $54.78 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $29.97 | $59.94 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $34.16 | $68.32 |
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 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.