How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Carleton, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Carleton, MI is about 54.5 miles (87.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 23m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 01h 11m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Wayne County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Carleton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Carleton.
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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
92 m · 5 sec · Mound Road
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3
Continue on Mound Road
6 mi · 10 min · Mound Road
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Mound Road
953 ft · 16 sec · Mound Road
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1445 ft · 35 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
2073 ft · 51 sec · Southbound Mound Road to I-696 West
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7
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.2 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
1011 ft · 25 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I-696 West to I-75 South
2553 ft · 1 min · I-696 West to I-75 South
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10
Merge slight left onto South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
7.7 mi · 8 min · South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 94: Port Huron, Chicago
1512 ft · 37 sec
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12
Keep slight right to continue on I 94 West: Chicago
1639 ft · 43 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Edsel Ford Freeway
5.6 mi · 8 min · Edsel Ford Freeway
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14
Continue on Detroit Industrial Expressway
15.3 mi · 17 min · Detroit Industrial Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 275: Toledo, Flint
1531 ft · 37 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 275 South: Toledo
2260 ft · 55 sec
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 275 South: Toldeo
1817 ft · 1 min
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18
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 10 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Will Carleton Road, Flat Rock
2717 ft · 1 min
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20
Turn right onto Will Carleton Road
87 m · 10 sec · Will Carleton Road
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21
Turn left onto Grafton Road
2.4 mi · 4 min · Grafton Road
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22
Turn right onto Monroe Street
2875 ft · 2 min · Monroe Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Monroe Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Carleton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Detroit Industrial Expressway
Continue on Detroit Industrial Expressway
15.3 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny near Carleton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Carleton?
The road trip is about 54.5 miles (87.7 km) and usually takes 01h 11m 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?
Dearborn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27.2 miles from Sterling Heights and 27.3 miles from Carleton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14 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 4:06 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.24 one way or $14.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 17.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny near Carleton.
Stop Ideas Near Dearborn
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 Dearborn.
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Detroit
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Carleton. Straight-line distance: 40.45 mi (65.09 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 Carleton
Village in Thayer County, Nebraska, United States
| Population | 2,358 |
| Coordinates | 42.0592100, -83.3907700 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carleton (-83.39077, 42.05921)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 88 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $7.24 | $14.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $8.17 | $16.33 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.94 | $17.87 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $10.18 | $20.37 |
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 · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.