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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Charlevoix, MI is about 260.5 miles (419.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 219.2 miles (352.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
260.45 mi
04h 52m
Flight
219.22 mi
352.8 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sterling Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
219.22 mi
Kilometers
352.8 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
260.45 mi
Kilometers
419.16 km
Drive Time
04h 52m

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 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Charlevoix
Thu, Apr 23, 6:15 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Thu, Apr 23, 11:07 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-04-23T01:23
Arrive Charlevoix
Thu, Apr 23, 6:15 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:52 AM to 12:52 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:16 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sterling Heights
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Sterling
MI

Human settlement in Arenac County, Michigan, United States of America

From Sterling Heights
130.2 mi
02h 26m
To Charlevoix
130.3 mi
02h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph SSE
Destination
63°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    52.4 mi · 56 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    54.9 mi · 55 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward M 32: Gaylord, Alpena

    1553 ft · 45 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    12.6 mi · 17 min · West Main Street

  14. 14

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North US 131 Highway

    2948 ft · 50 sec · North US 131 Highway

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West M-32 Highway

    9.8 mi · 14 min · West M-32 Highway

  16. 16

    Continue on M 32

    3.8 mi · 6 min · M 32

  17. 17

    Continue on Maple Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · Maple Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto State Street

    1477 ft · 25 sec · State Street

  19. 19

    Turn slight left onto Mill Street

    1077 ft · 18 sec · Mill Street

  20. 20

    Continue on Bridge Street

    1255 ft · 21 sec · Bridge Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Water Street

    2058 ft · 38 sec · Water Street

  22. 22

    Turn right onto North Lake Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Lake Street

  23. 23

    Continue on M 66 North

    12.1 mi · 18 min · M 66 North

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Bridge Street

    1 mi · 3 min · Bridge Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto Bridge Park Drive

    83 m · 12 sec · Bridge Park Drive

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Bridge Park Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75
170 mi · 65%
I 75 North
33.4 mi · 13%
West Main Street
12.6 mi · 5%
M 66 North
12.1 mi · 5%
West M-32 Highway
9.76 mi · 4%
M 59 West
9.48 mi · 4%
Longest Stretch

I 75

Keep slight left

62.9 mi · 01h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 52m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.3 mi
219.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Sterling
02h 26m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
7:16 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Partly Sunny near Charlevoix.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 260.5 miles (419.2 km) and usually takes 04h 52m 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?

Sterling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 130.2 miles from Sterling Heights and 130.3 miles from Charlevoix.

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

The direct path is about 219.2 miles (352.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.3 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 7:16 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.66 one way or $69.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling Heights and Partly Sunny near Charlevoix.

Stop Ideas Near Sterling

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

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

BUS

Tawas City, MI

46 mi away
1020 West Lake Street
BUS

Bay City, MI

49 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
BUS

Saginaw, MI

67 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Cadillac, Michigan

113 mi away
1202 North Mitchell St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Charlevoix. Straight-line distance: 219.22 mi (352.8 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

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

#2 Charlevoix

City in Charlevoix County, Michigan, United States of America

Population1,657
Coordinates45.3180600, -85.2584000
Altitude181
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Charlevoix (-85.2584, 45.31806)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 419 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 40m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 12m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 20m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 43m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.19 gal
34.79 L · about $34.66
Round trip
$69.31
18.38 gal · 69.58 L
Estimated CO2
81.7 kg one way
Round trip: 163.3 kg / 360 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $34.66 $69.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $39.09 $78.17
Premium $4.65 $42.77 $85.54
Diesel $5.30 $48.74 $97.49

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

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Charlevoix. The current time is 01:23:31.

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.