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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Jackson, MI is about 90 miles (144.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 73.6 miles (118.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 34m 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
89.97 mi
01h 47m
Flight
73.66 mi
118.55 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
73.66 mi
Kilometers
118.55 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
89.97 mi
Kilometers
144.79 km
Drive Time
01h 47m

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 01h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jackson
Thu, May 14, 11:55 PM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Fri, May 15, 1:42 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-05-14T22:08
Arrive Jackson
Thu, May 14, 11:55 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:47 AM to 11:47 AM EDT

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

Leave by
2:56 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
Salem
MI

Township in Washtenaw County, Michigan

From Sterling Heights
44.9 mi
00h 53m
To Jackson
45 mi
00h 53m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
65°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph NNW
Destination
62°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, May 14 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
9 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    20 mi · 22 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 96 East, I 275: Toledo

    2135 ft · 52 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 96 East, I 275: Toledo

    1.3 km · 2 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 96, I 275: Detroit, Toledo

    1875 ft · 23 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight right onto Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway

    5.8 mi · 6 min · Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward M 14: Ann Arbor

    1 km · 1 min

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    16.5 mi · 18 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Ann Arbor

    5.4 mi · 6 min

  15. 15

    Merge slight left onto I 94 West: Chicago

    25.9 mi · 28 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward BL I 94: Sargent Rd, Jackson

    1559 ft · 50 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on Sargent Road

    1588 ft · 33 sec · Sargent Road

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Ann Arbor Road

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Ann Arbor Road

  19. 19

    Continue on East Michigan Avenue

    2.3 mi · 4 min · East Michigan Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto South Cooper Street

    883 ft · 20 sec · South Cooper Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto East Washington Avenue

    83 m · 8 sec · East Washington Avenue

  22. 22

    Turn right

    23 m · 5 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
23 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 West
25.9 mi · 29%
M 14
22.5 mi · 25%
Walter P Reuther Freeway
20 mi · 22%
Mound Road
6.21 mi · 7%
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
5.79 mi · 6%
Ann Arbor Road
3.14 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 94 West

Merge slight left onto I 94 West: Chicago

25.9 mi · 00h 28m

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
01h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.4 mi
73.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Salem
00h 53m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
2:56 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny near Jackson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 90 miles (144.8 km) and usually takes 01h 47m 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?

Salem is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44.9 miles from Sterling Heights and 45 miles from Jackson.

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

The direct path is about 73.6 miles (118.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 2:56 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.99 one way or $23.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 28.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny near Jackson.

Stop Ideas Near Salem

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

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

RAIL

Ann Arbor station

19 mi away
325 Depot Street
RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

30 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

33 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Birmingham, Michigan

35 mi away
449 South Eton St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Jackson. Straight-line distance: 73.66 mi (118.55 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

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

#2 Jackson

City in Jackson County, Minnesota, United States

Population32,374
Coordinates42.2458700, -84.4013500
Altitude284
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Jackson (-84.40135, 42.24587)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 145 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 59m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 14m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 29m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 07m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.18 gal
12.02 L · about $11.99
Round trip
$23.98
6.36 gal · 24.04 L
Estimated CO2
28.3 kg one way
Round trip: 56.5 kg / 125 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $11.99 $23.98
Mid-grade $4.25 $13.52 $27.05
Premium $4.65 $14.80 $29.60
Diesel $5.30 $16.87 $33.73

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Jackson. The current time is 22:08:12.

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.