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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Dryden, MI is about 31.1 miles (50 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 25.7 miles (41.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
31.07 mi
00h 44m
Flight
25.72 mi
41.39 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sterling Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
25.72 mi
Kilometers
41.39 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.07 mi
Kilometers
50 km
Drive Time
00h 44m

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 00h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Dryden
Sat, Nov 7, 2:10 PM EST
Return by in Sterling Heights
Sat, Nov 7, 2:55 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-11-07T13:26
Arrive Dryden
Sat, Nov 7, 2:10 PM EST
Route Timing
00h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:45 AM to 7:45 PM EST

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:00 PM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Sterling Heights
10:00 PM EST
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Romeo
MI

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

From Sterling Heights
15.5 mi
00h 22m
To Dryden
15.5 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM EST
Wind
8 to 13 mph NW
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Sat, Nov 7 6:00 AM EST
Wind
8 to 13 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 17 Mile Road

    928 ft · 27 sec · 17 Mile Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Fanning Road

    69 m · 14 sec · Fanning Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto New Bradford Boulevard

    919 ft · 43 sec · New Bradford Boulevard

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Van Dyke Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Van Dyke Avenue

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on M 53 North: Imlay City

    24.2 mi · 30 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto North Van Dyke Road

    1.8 mi · 3 min · North Van Dyke Road

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Dryden Road

    3.3 mi · 8 min · Dryden Road

  8. 8

    Continue on East Main Street

    526 ft · 14 sec · East Main Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
9 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
28.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
M 53 North
24.2 mi · 78%
Dryden Road
3.32 mi · 11%
North Van Dyke Road
1.78 mi · 6%
Van Dyke Avenue
1.3 mi · 4%
17 Mile Road
0.18 mi · 1%
New Bradford Boulevard
0.17 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

M 53 North

Keep slight right to continue on M 53 North: Imlay City

24.2 mi · 00h 30m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 44m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.4 mi
25.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Romeo
00h 22m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
7:00 PM EST
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Mostly Cloudy near Dryden.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 31.1 miles (50 km) and usually takes 00h 44m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Romeo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Sterling Heights and 15.5 miles from Dryden.

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

The direct path is about 25.7 miles (41.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:00 PM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.70 one way or $9.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Sterling Heights and Mostly Cloudy near Dryden.

Stop Ideas Near Romeo

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Romeo and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 9.9 mi away

Rochester Municipal Complex

Rochester , MI
400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307
City Hall,Emergency services,School,University
City of Sterling Heights
Meeting point 13.5 mi away

City of Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights , MI
40555 Utica Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Rating 3.5/5 24 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Romeo.

RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

30 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

32 mi away
449 South Eton St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

32 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive
RAIL

Lapeer station

36 mi away
73 Howard St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Dryden. Straight-line distance: 25.72 mi (41.39 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 Dryden

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

Population938
Coordinates42.9461400, -83.1238300
Altitude286
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Dryden (-83.12383, 42.94614)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 50 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.1 gal
4.15 L · about $4.70
Round trip
$9.40
2.2 gal · 8.3 L
Estimated CO2
9.8 kg one way
Round trip: 19.6 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.27 $4.70 $9.40
Mid-grade $4.96 $5.46 $10.92
Premium $5.56 $6.11 $12.23
Diesel $6.58 $7.24 $14.48

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 · Nov 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Dryden. The current time is 13:26:00.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.