How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Howard City, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Howard City, MI is about 168.2 miles (270.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 135.5 miles (218 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 58m 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 29m.
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.
Unincorporated community in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Howard City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Howard City.
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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
3.2 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
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3
Continue on Mound Road
784 ft · 24 sec · Mound Road
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4
Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive
996 ft · 24 sec · M-59 Service Drive
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5
Take the ramp straight toward M 59 West
1742 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 10 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Flint
2907 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left
32.8 mi · 35 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
37.8 mi · 40 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward M 46: Buena Vista, Sandusky
1287 ft · 45 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East Holland Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · East Holland Avenue
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12
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1099 ft · 16 sec · East Holland Avenue
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Holland Avenue
32 m · 6 sec · East Holland Avenue
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14
Exit the roundabout onto East Holland Avenue
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Holland Avenue
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15
Turn slight right onto East Remington Street
1.1 mi · 1 min · East Remington Street
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16
Turn left onto Sheridan Avenue
1.9 mi · 2 min · Sheridan Avenue
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17
Continue on Williams Street
2311 ft · 34 sec · Williams Street
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18
Turn left onto Gratiot Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Avenue
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19
Continue on Gratiot Road
11.4 mi · 13 min · Gratiot Road
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20
Continue on East Saginaw Street
3158 ft · 41 sec · East Saginaw Street
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21
Continue on North Saginaw Street
715 ft · 9 sec · North Saginaw Street
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22
Continue on Gratiot Road
4.1 mi · 5 min · Gratiot Road
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23
Continue on Saginaw Street
2661 ft · 1 min · Saginaw Street
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24
Continue on West Saginaw Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Saginaw Street
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25
Continue on Gratiot Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Gratiot Road
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26
Continue on East Monroe Road
5 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
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27
Continue on East Saginaw Street
1.6 km · 2 min · East Saginaw Street
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28
Continue on East Monroe Road
5.4 mi · 7 min · East Monroe Road
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29
Continue on East Washington Street
3137 ft · 1 min · East Washington Street
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30
Continue on West Washington Avenue
3042 ft · 1 min · West Washington Avenue
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31
Continue on West Monroe Road
11 mi · 15 min · West Monroe Road
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32
Continue on Northwest Monroe Road
2394 ft · 37 sec · Northwest Monroe Road
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33
Continue on Howard City Edmore Road
9.1 mi · 12 min · Howard City Edmore Road
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34
Continue on East Main Street
1.3 mi · 3 min · East Main Street
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35
Continue on Howard City-Edmore Road
960 ft · 20 sec · Howard City-Edmore Road
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36
Continue on Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
20.9 mi · 29 min · Howard City Edmore Road Northeast
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37
Turn left onto Federal Road
1.8 mi · 2 min · Federal Road
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38
Continue on North Ensley Road
922 ft · 18 sec · North Ensley Road
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39
Turn straight onto Federal Road
783 ft · 19 sec · Federal Road
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40
Continue on North Ensley Street
1879 ft · 53 sec · North Ensley Street
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41
Turn left onto East Shaw Street
151 m · 14 sec · East Shaw Street
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42
Turn slight right onto Emory Street
36 m · 3 sec · Emory Street
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43
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Emory Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Howard City.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
37.8 mi · 00h 40m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sterling Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms near Howard City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Howard City?
The road trip is about 168.2 miles (270.7 km) and usually takes 03h 29m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84 miles from Sterling Heights and 84.3 miles from Howard City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 135.5 miles (218 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.7 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 10:02 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.40 one way or $44.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Sterling Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms near Howard City.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old City Hall
Bay City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.
Saginaw, MI
Bay City, MI
Flint station
Owosso, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Howard City. Straight-line distance: 135.46 mi (218 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 Howard City
City in Howard County, Nebraska, United States of America
| Population | 1,819 |
| Coordinates | 43.3955800, -85.4678200 |
| Altitude | 268 |
| Country | United States |
End: Howard City (-85.46782, 43.39558)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 271 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $22.40 | $44.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.26 | $50.53 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $27.64 | $55.29 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $31.51 | $63.01 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.