How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Detroit Beach, MI?

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Detroit Beach, MI is about 59.9 miles (96.4 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 32m 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
59.89 mi
01h 16m
Flight
47.35 mi
76.2 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
47.35 mi
Kilometers
76.2 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
59.89 mi
Kilometers
96.38 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Detroit Beach
Sat, May 2, 4:08 PM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Sat, May 2, 5:24 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-05-02T14:52
Arrive Detroit Beach
Sat, May 2, 4:08 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:16 AM to 11:16 AM EDT

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

Leave by
3:58 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
Melvindale
MI

City in Wayne County, Michigan, United States of America

From Sterling Heights
30 mi
00h 38m
To Detroit Beach
30 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
53°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph NW
Destination
53°F
Saturday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Sat, May 2 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Detroit Beach.

  1. 1

    Start on 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    92 m · 5 sec · Mound Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Mound Road

    6 mi · 10 min · Mound Road

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on Mound Road

    953 ft · 16 sec · Mound Road

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron

    1445 ft · 35 sec

  6. 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

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.2 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint

    1011 ft · 25 sec

  9. 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

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    9.7 mi · 11 min · South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on I 75: Toledo

    4.2 mi · 6 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on Fisher Freeway

    12.2 mi · 14 min · Fisher Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue on Detroit-Toledo Expressway

    19.3 mi · 21 min · Detroit-Toledo Expressway

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward Dixie Highway, Downtown Monroe

    2435 ft · 1 min

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Dixie Highway

    1.8 mi · 3 min · North Dixie Highway

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Grand Boulevard

    1256 ft · 57 sec · Grand Boulevard

  17. 17

    Turn left onto 8th Street

    1077 ft · 48 sec · 8th Street

  18. 18

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

    26 m · 5 sec · Bronson Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Navarre Boulevard

    35 m · 5 sec · Navarre Boulevard

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Navarre Boulevard

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
33.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Detroit-Toledo Expressway
19.3 mi · 32%
Fisher Freeway
12.2 mi · 20%
South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
9.74 mi · 16%
Mound Road
6.21 mi · 10%
I 75
4.16 mi · 7%
Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.15 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Detroit-Toledo Expressway

Continue on Detroit-Toledo Expressway

19.3 mi · 00h 21m

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 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.6 mi
47.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Melvindale
00h 38m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
3:58 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny near Detroit Beach.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Detroit Beach?

The road trip is about 59.9 miles (96.4 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Melvindale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30 miles from Sterling Heights and 30 miles from Detroit Beach.

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

The direct path is about 47.3 miles (76.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.6 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 3:58 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.96 one way or $15.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny near Detroit Beach.

Stop Ideas Near Melvindale

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

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

RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

4 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

6 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

Detroit

13 mi away
11 West Baltimore Ave.
RAIL

Royal Oak station

23 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Detroit Beach. Straight-line distance: 47.35 mi (76.2 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Detroit Beach

#2 Detroit Beach

Unincorporated community in Michigan

Population2,087
Coordinates41.9311600, -83.3268800
Altitude175
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Detroit Beach (-83.32688, 41.93116)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 96 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 59m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 51m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 44m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.11 gal
8 L · about $7.96
Round trip
$15.91
4.22 gal · 16 L
Estimated CO2
18.8 kg one way
Round trip: 37.5 kg / 83 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.96 $15.91
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.97 $17.95
Premium $4.65 $9.82 $19.64
Diesel $5.30 $11.19 $22.38

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 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Detroit Beach. The current time is 14:52:28.

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.