How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Birch Run, MI?

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Birch Run, MI is about 73.1 miles (117.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 47m 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
73.09 mi
01h 23m
Flight
60.34 mi
97.11 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
60.34 mi
Kilometers
97.11 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
73.09 mi
Kilometers
117.62 km
Drive Time
01h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Birch Run
Fri, May 1, 8:52 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Fri, May 1, 10:16 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-05-01T07:28
Arrive Birch Run
Fri, May 1, 8:52 AM EDT
Route Timing
01h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:24 AM to 11:24 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:42 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
Holly
MI

Village in north Oakland County in the U.

From Sterling Heights
36.5 mi
00h 41m
To Birch Run
36.5 mi
00h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph NW
Destination
49°F
Friday

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, May 1 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Birch Run.

  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

    24.4 mi · 26 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward M 54, M 83: Birch Run, Frankenmuth

    914 ft · 27 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Birch Run Road

    69 m · 4 sec · Birch Run Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Main Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Maple Road

    100 m · 9 sec · Maple Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Maple Road

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75 North
33.4 mi · 46%
I 75
24.4 mi · 33%
M 59 West
9.48 mi · 13%
Mound Road
3.4 mi · 5%
17 Mile Road
1 mi · 1%
Main Street
0.94 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75 North

Merge slight left

32.8 mi · 00h 35m

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 23m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.8 mi
60.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Holly
00h 41m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
3:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Birch Run.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Birch Run?

The road trip is about 73.1 miles (117.6 km) and usually takes 01h 23m 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?

Holly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 36.5 miles from Sterling Heights and 36.5 miles from Birch Run.

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

The direct path is about 60.3 miles (97.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.73 one way or $19.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Sterling Heights and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Birch Run.

Stop Ideas Near Holly

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Holly, 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 Holly.

RAIL

Flint station

25 mi away
1407 South Dort Highway
RAIL

Durand Union Station

32 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

33 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Lapeer station

39 mi away
73 Howard St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Birch Run. Straight-line distance: 60.34 mi (97.11 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Birch Run

#2 Birch Run

Village in Michigan, United States

Population1,469
Coordinates43.2508600, -83.7941300
Altitude193
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Birch Run (-83.79413, 43.25086)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 118 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.58 gal
9.76 L · about $9.73
Round trip
$19.46
5.16 gal · 19.52 L
Estimated CO2
22.9 kg one way
Round trip: 45.9 kg / 101 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $9.73 $19.46
Mid-grade $4.25 $10.97 $21.95
Premium $4.65 $12.01 $24.01
Diesel $5.30 $13.68 $27.37

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 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Birch Run. The current time is 07:28:45.

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.