How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Ishpeming, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Ishpeming, MI is about 454.4 miles (731.3 km), with a travel time of about 08h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 353.6 miles (569 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 59m 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 08h 29m.
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.
Village in Otsego County, Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Ishpeming.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Ishpeming.
-
1
Start on 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
-
2
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.2 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
-
3
Continue on Mound Road
784 ft · 24 sec · Mound Road
-
4
Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive
996 ft · 24 sec · M-59 Service Drive
-
5
Take the ramp straight toward M 59 West
1742 ft · 43 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
9.1 mi · 10 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Flint
2907 ft · 1 min
-
8
Merge slight left
32.8 mi · 35 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
52.4 mi · 56 min
-
10
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
-
11
Keep slight left
117.6 mi · 2 hr 1 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 2: Manistique, Escanaba
1913 ft · 1 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto US-2 West
1.1 km · 1 min · US-2 West
-
14
Continue on US 2
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 2
-
15
Continue on US-2 West
61.5 mi · 1 hr 11 min · US-2 West
-
16
Turn right
17.3 mi · 21 min
-
17
Turn sharp left onto M-28
35.1 mi · 42 min · M-28
-
18
Continue on Cedar Street
836 ft · 29 sec · Cedar Street
-
19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East Munising
59 m · 11 sec · East Munising
-
20
Exit the roundabout onto East Munising
2.2 mi · 5 min · East Munising
-
21
Continue on M-28
35.8 mi · 42 min · M-28
-
22
Continue on Cherry Creek Road
1.8 mi · 3 min · Cherry Creek Road
-
23
Turn right onto County Road 480
12.5 mi · 19 min · County Road 480
-
24
Continue on Rail Street
1945 ft · 36 sec · Rail Street
-
25
Turn left onto Division Street
1102 ft · 33 sec · Division Street
-
26
At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · County Road
-
27
Continue on East Division Street
1.6 mi · 3 min · East Division Street
-
28
Turn left onto South 1st Street
5 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
-
29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Ishpeming.
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.
Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Chance Rain Showers near Ishpeming.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Ishpeming?
The road trip is about 454.4 miles (731.3 km) and usually takes 08h 29m 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?
Vanderbilt is a useful midpoint, sitting about 227 miles from Sterling Heights and 227.4 miles from Ishpeming.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 353.6 miles (569 km), while the road route adds roughly 100.8 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 $60.45 one way or $120.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 142.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling Heights and Chance Rain Showers near Ishpeming.
Stop Ideas Near Vanderbilt
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 Vanderbilt.
Walloon Lake, Michigan
Boyne City, Michigan
Petoskey, Michigan
Alanson, MI
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Ishpeming. Straight-line distance: 353.54 mi (568.97 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 Ishpeming
City in Marquette County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 3,498 |
| Coordinates | 46.4885500, -87.6676400 |
| Altitude | 429 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ishpeming (-87.66764, 46.48855)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 731 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $60.45 | $120.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $68.18 | $136.35 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $74.60 | $149.21 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $85.02 | $170.05 |
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.