How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Croton, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Croton, MI is about 198.2 miles (319 km), with a travel time of about 03h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.5 miles (234.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 25m 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 42m.
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.
City in Bremer County, Iowa, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Croton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Croton.
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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
21.8 mi · 23 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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8
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
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9
Keep slight left
54.8 mi · 59 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 96 West: Grand Rapids
53.7 mi · 58 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 96 West, M 37 North: Muskegon
5.7 mi · 6 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 131 North: Cadillac, Big Rapids
1399 ft · 48 sec
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13
Merge slight left
20.2 mi · 21 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward Sand Lake
2261 ft · 1 min
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15
Turn left onto 22 Mile Road Northeast
4.3 mi · 6 min · 22 Mile Road Northeast
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16
Continue on Cypress Avenue
8.7 mi · 12 min · Cypress Avenue
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17
Turn left onto East 72nd Street
2.4 mi · 3 min · East 72nd Street
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18
Turn right onto Croton Hardy Drive
817 ft · 22 sec · Croton Hardy Drive
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Croton Hardy Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Croton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Keep slight left
54.8 mi · 00h 59m
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 Croton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Croton?
The road trip is about 198.2 miles (319 km) and usually takes 03h 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?
Waverly is a useful midpoint, sitting about 99 miles from Sterling Heights and 99.3 miles from Croton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.5 miles (234.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.7 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 9:34 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.40 one way or $52.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sterling Heights and Sunny near Croton.
Stop Ideas Near Waverly
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 Waverly.
East Lansing station
Owosso, MI
Durand Union Station
Albion station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Croton. Straight-line distance: 145.54 mi (234.23 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 Croton
Township in Newaygo County, Michigan
| Population | 3,309 |
| Coordinates | 43.4389100, -85.6608800 |
| Altitude | 225 |
| Country | United States |
End: Croton (-85.66088, 43.43891)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 319 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $26.40 | $52.79 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.77 | $59.54 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $32.58 | $65.16 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $37.13 | $74.26 |
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 27, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.