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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Colfax, MI is about 228.2 miles (367.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173.4 miles (279 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 24m 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
228.23 mi
04h 42m
Flight
173.39 mi
279.05 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
173.39 mi
Kilometers
279.05 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
228.23 mi
Kilometers
367.3 km
Drive Time
04h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colfax
Tue, May 5, 9:14 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Tue, May 5, 1:56 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-05-05T04:32
Arrive Colfax
Tue, May 5, 9:14 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:42 AM to 12:42 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
7:36 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
Midland
MI

The largest city in Midland County, Michigan.

From Sterling Heights
114 mi
02h 21m
To Colfax
114.3 mi
02h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Tuesday

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph W
Destination
52°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    51.3 mi · 55 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West: Midland

    1046 ft · 36 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    11.3 mi · 11 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on US 10: Clare

    38 mi · 38 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac

    56.8 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on East Washington

    718 ft · 19 sec · East Washington

  15. 15

    Turn left onto South M 37

    1330 ft · 38 sec · South M 37

  16. 16

    Continue on Michigan Avenue

    3229 ft · 1 min · Michigan Avenue

  17. 17

    Continue on South M 37

    5.2 mi · 7 min · South M 37

  18. 18

    Continue on North Woodbridge Avenue

    3 mi · 4 min · North Woodbridge Avenue

  19. 19

    Turn right onto West 15 Mile Road

    2862 ft · 1 min · West 15 Mile Road

  20. 20

    Continue on North Bingham Avenue

    1.6 mi · 4 min · North Bingham Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West Main Street

    1368 ft · 38 sec · West Main Street

  22. 22

    Continue on North Cleveland Drive

    3.6 mi · 9 min · North Cleveland Drive

  23. 23

    Continue on West 13 Mile Road

    6.1 mi · 15 min · West 13 Mile Road

  24. 24

    Continue on East Jackson Road

    2 mi · 5 min · East Jackson Road

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Jackson Road

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 10 West
68.3 mi · 30%
I 75
51.3 mi · 22%
US 10
38 mi · 17%
I 75 North
33.4 mi · 15%
M 59 West
9.48 mi · 4%
West 13 Mile Road
6.09 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US 10 WEST

Take the exit slight right toward US 10 WEST, TO M 115: Ludington, Cadillac

56.8 mi · 01h 15m

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 42m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.8 mi
173.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Midland
02h 21m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
7:36 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Sterling Heights and Chance Rain Showers near Colfax.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 228.2 miles (367.3 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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 114 miles from Sterling Heights and 114.3 miles from Colfax.

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

The direct path is about 173.4 miles (279 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.8 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:36 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.36 one way or $60.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Sterling Heights and Chance Rain Showers near Colfax.

Stop Ideas Near Midland

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

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

BUS

Bay City, MI

29 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
BUS

Saginaw, MI

32 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Owosso, MI

69 mi away
109 Comstock Street
RAIL

Durand Union Station

81 mi away
200 South Railroad St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Colfax. Straight-line distance: 173.39 mi (279.05 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Colfax

Township in Oceana County, Michigan

Population1,328
Coordinates43.7433400, -86.0792300
Altitude260
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Colfax (-86.07923, 43.74334)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 367 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 42m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 50m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.05 gal
30.49 L · about $30.36
Round trip
$60.71
16.1 gal · 60.98 L
Estimated CO2
71.5 kg one way
Round trip: 143.1 kg / 315 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $30.36 $60.71
Mid-grade $4.25 $34.24 $68.47
Premium $4.65 $37.46 $74.93
Diesel $5.30 $42.70 $85.39

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Colfax. The current time is 04:32:26.

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.