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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Highland, MI is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30.1 miles (48.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m 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
35.62 mi
00h 54m
Flight
30.11 mi
48.46 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
30.11 mi
Kilometers
48.46 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.62 mi
Kilometers
57.32 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

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 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Highland
Sun, Apr 19, 2:54 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Sun, Apr 19, 3:48 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-04-19T02:00
Arrive Highland
Sun, Apr 19, 2:54 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM EDT

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

Leave by
4:42 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
Pontiac
MI

The most populous city in Oakland County, Michigan.

From Sterling Heights
17.8 mi
00h 27m
To Highland
17.8 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Sunday

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
12 to 16 mph W
Destination
44°F
Sunday

Slight Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 18 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    12.4 mi · 15 min

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left onto North Saginaw Street

    80 m · 10 sec · North Saginaw Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto West Huron Street

    1817 ft · 51 sec · West Huron Street

  9. 9

    Turn right onto State Street

    2930 ft · 1 min · State Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Elizabeth Lake Road

    2.2 mi · 5 min · Elizabeth Lake Road

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Highland Road

    14.8 mi · 22 min · Highland Road

  12. 12

    Take the exit left

    37 m · 6 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West Highland Road

    670 ft · 15 sec · West Highland Road

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Milford Road

    1197 ft · 35 sec · North Milford Road

  15. 15

    Turn left

    53 m · 13 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
44.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highland Road
14.8 mi · 42%
M 59 West
12.7 mi · 36%
Mound Road
3.4 mi · 10%
Elizabeth Lake Road
2.21 mi · 6%
17 Mile Road
1 mi · 3%
State Street
0.55 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Highland Road

Turn right onto Highland Road

14.8 mi · 00h 23m

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
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.5 mi
30.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pontiac
00h 27m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
4:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Snow Showers leaving Sterling Heights and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Highland.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 35.6 miles (57.3 km) and usually takes 00h 54m 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?

Pontiac is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.8 miles from Sterling Heights and 17.8 miles from Highland.

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

The direct path is about 30.1 miles (48.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 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 4:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.75 one way or $9.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Sterling Heights and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Highland.

Stop Ideas Near Pontiac

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 Pontiac and the surrounding midpoint area.
Stop photo coming soon
Practical stop 8.9 mi away

Rochester Municipal Complex

Rochester , MI
400 6th St, Rochester, MI 48307
City Hall,Emergency services,School,University
Stop photo coming soon
Meeting point 12.7 mi away

City of Madison Heights

Madison Heights , MI
300 W 13 Mile Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071
Rating 4.8/5 32 reviews City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

1 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

13 mi away
449 South Eton St.
RAIL

Troy Transit Center

13 mi away
1201 Doyle Drive
RAIL

Royal Oak station

20 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Highland. Straight-line distance: 30.11 mi (48.46 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Highland

#2 Highland

Township in Oakland County, Michigan

Population1,250
Coordinates42.6380900, -83.6171700
Altitude309
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Highland (-83.61717, 42.63809)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 57 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.26 gal
4.76 L · about $4.75
Round trip
$9.50
2.52 gal · 9.52 L
Estimated CO2
11.2 kg one way
Round trip: 22.4 kg / 49 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $4.75 $9.50
Mid-grade $4.25 $5.36 $10.72
Premium $4.65 $5.86 $11.73
Diesel $5.30 $6.68 $13.37

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 · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Highland. The current time is 02:00:34.

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.