How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Forest Hills, MI?

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Forest Hills, MI is about 151.3 miles (243.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 127.4 miles (205.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m 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
151.33 mi
02h 53m
Flight
127.47 mi
205.14 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
127.47 mi
Kilometers
205.14 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
151.33 mi
Kilometers
243.55 km
Drive Time
02h 53m

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 02h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Forest Hills
Tue, May 5, 11:23 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Tue, May 5, 2:16 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-05-05T08:30
Arrive Forest Hills
Tue, May 5, 11:23 AM EDT
Route Timing
02h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 PM EDT

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

Leave by
12:44 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

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
Williamston
MI

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

From Sterling Heights
75.5 mi
01h 26m
To Forest Hills
75.8 mi
01h 26m

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
56°F
Tuesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 5 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Forest Hills.

  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

    21.8 mi · 23 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    17.9 mi · 19 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    54.8 mi · 59 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 96 West: Grand Rapids

    38.4 mi · 41 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward M 50: Lowell

    1470 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Alden Nash Avenue Southeast

    2201 ft · 41 sec · Alden Nash Avenue Southeast

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Cascade Road Southeast

    3 mi · 4 min · Cascade Road Southeast

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Snow Avenue Southeast

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Snow Avenue Southeast

  15. 15

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Grand River Drive Southeast

    3 mi · 4 min · Grand River Drive Southeast

  16. 16

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Buttrick Avenue Southeast

    2306 ft · 47 sec · Buttrick Avenue Southeast

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Thornapple River Drive Southeast

    2558 ft · 1 min · Thornapple River Drive Southeast

  18. 18

    Continue on Headley Street Southeast

    1531 ft · 54 sec · Headley Street Southeast

  19. 19

    Turn slight right onto Headley Street Thirdleg

    68 m · 10 sec · Headley Street Thirdleg

  20. 20

    Turn slight right

    148 m · 41 sec

  21. 21

    Turn left

    74 m · 18 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
14.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Walter P Reuther Freeway
94.6 mi · 62%
I 96 West
38.4 mi · 25%
Mound Road
6.21 mi · 4%
Grand River Drive Southeast
3 mi · 2%
Cascade Road Southeast
2.99 mi · 2%
Snow Avenue Southeast
2.41 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

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
02h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+23.9 mi
127.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Williamston
01h 26m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
12:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

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

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Forest Hills?

The road trip is about 151.3 miles (243.5 km) and usually takes 02h 53m 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?

Williamston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.5 miles from Sterling Heights and 75.8 miles from Forest Hills.

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

The direct path is about 127.4 miles (205.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.9 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 12:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.14 one way or $40.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.5 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 Forest Hills.

Stop Ideas Near Williamston

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

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

RAIL

East Lansing station

18 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road
BUS

Owosso, MI

35 mi away
109 Comstock Street
RAIL

Durand Union Station

35 mi away
200 South Railroad St.
RAIL

Jackson station

50 mi away
501 E. Michigan Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Forest Hills. Straight-line distance: 127.47 mi (205.14 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Forest Hills

#2 Forest Hills

Neighborhood of Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Population25,867
Coordinates42.9594700, -85.4897500
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Forest Hills (-85.48975, 42.95947)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 244 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 01m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 09m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.34 gal
20.21 L · about $20.14
Round trip
$40.27
10.68 gal · 40.42 L
Estimated CO2
47.5 kg one way
Round trip: 94.9 kg / 209 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $20.14 $40.27
Mid-grade $4.25 $22.71 $45.42
Premium $4.65 $24.85 $49.70
Diesel $5.30 $28.32 $56.65

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 Forest Hills. The current time is 08:30:10.

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.