How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Ironwood, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Ironwood, MI is about 586.3 miles (943.6 km), with a travel time of about 11h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 441.8 miles (711 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 22h 22m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 11h 11m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Township in Mackinac County, Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Ironwood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Ironwood.
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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
52.4 mi · 56 min
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10
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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11
Keep slight left
117.6 mi · 2 hr 1 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
1913 ft · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left onto US-2 West
1.1 km · 1 min · US-2 West
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14
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
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15
Continue on US-2 West
61.5 mi · 1 hr 11 min · US-2 West
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16
Turn right
17.3 mi · 21 min
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17
Turn sharp left onto M-28
35.1 mi · 42 min · M-28
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18
Continue on Cedar Street
836 ft · 29 sec · Cedar Street
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Munising
59 m · 11 sec · East Munising
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20
Exit the roundabout onto East Munising
2.2 mi · 5 min · East Munising
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21
Continue on M-28
35.8 mi · 42 min · M-28
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22
Continue on Cherry Creek Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Cherry Creek Road
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23
Turn right onto County Road 480
12.5 mi · 19 min · County Road 480
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24
Continue on Rail Street
1945 ft · 36 sec · Rail Street
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25
Turn right onto Division Street
153 m · 11 sec · Division Street
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26
Turn right onto West Main Street
134 m · 13 sec · West Main Street
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27
Turn left onto North Teal Lake Avenue
2772 ft · 53 sec · North Teal Lake Avenue
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28
Turn left onto US Highway 41
2.7 mi · 4 min · US Highway 41
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29
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
25 m · 5 sec
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30
Exit the roundabout
1.4 km · 2 min
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31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
27 m · 5 sec
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32
Exit the roundabout
40.1 mi · 52 min
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33
Turn left
59.4 mi · 1 hr 9 min
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34
Continue straight
19.1 mi · 23 min
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35
Turn right onto US 2 West
11.4 mi · 14 min · US 2 West
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36
Turn left onto Douglas Boulevard
2244 ft · 38 sec · Douglas Boulevard
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37
Continue on East Frederick Street
139 m · 13 sec · East Frederick Street
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38
Turn left onto North Suffolk Street
145 m · 10 sec · North Suffolk Street
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39
Turn right onto East Ayer Street
141 m · 22 sec · East Ayer Street
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40
Turn right onto North Lowell Street
30 m · 4 sec · North Lowell Street
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41
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Lowell Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Ironwood.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 75
Keep slight left
118 mi · 02h 01m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Ironwood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Ironwood?
The road trip is about 586.3 miles (943.6 km) and usually takes 11h 11m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Moran is a useful midpoint, sitting about 292.8 miles from Sterling Heights and 293.5 miles from Ironwood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 441.8 miles (711 km), while the road route adds roughly 144.5 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM EDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $78.02 one way or $156.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 183.9 kg one way.
Do you cross a time zone on this route?
Yes. There is about a 1 hour time difference between Sterling Heights and Ironwood, so arrival and return times should be read in local time.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Sterling Heights and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Ironwood.
Stop Ideas Near Moran
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Moran.
St. Ignace, Michigan
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Cheboygan, MI
Pellston, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Ironwood. Straight-line distance: 441.77 mi (710.96 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 Ironwood
City in Michigan, United States
| Population | 4,814 |
| Coordinates | 46.4546700, -90.1710100 |
| Altitude | 459 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ironwood (-90.17101, 46.45467)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 944 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 19h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 14h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 11h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 09h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 08h 22m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 07h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $78.02 | $156.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $87.99 | $175.99 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $96.29 | $192.58 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $109.74 | $219.48 |
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 · Apr 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.