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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Jefferson, MI is about 102.3 miles (164.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 72.1 miles (116 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 05m 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
102.3 mi
02h 02m
Flight
72.1 mi
116.04 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
72.1 mi
Kilometers
116.04 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
102.3 mi
Kilometers
164.64 km
Drive Time
02h 02m

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 02h 02m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Jefferson
Tue, May 12, 10:40 PM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Wed, May 13, 12:43 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-05-12T20:38
Arrive Jefferson
Tue, May 12, 10:40 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 02m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM EDT

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

Leave by
2:24 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
Northfield
MI

Township in Washtenaw County, Michigan

From Sterling Heights
51.1 mi
01h 01m
To Jefferson
51.2 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Tuesday

Patchy Frost then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 13 mph SSE
Destination
66°F
Tuesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 13 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    28.8 mi · 31 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 127 South: Hudson

    1.1 km · 2 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    11 mi · 14 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Jefferson Road

    3.8 mi · 7 min · Jefferson Road

  19. 19

    Turn right onto Hewitt Road

    1114 ft · 49 sec · Hewitt Road

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Hewitt Road

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 West
28.8 mi · 28%
M 14
22.5 mi · 22%
Walter P Reuther Freeway
20 mi · 20%
US 127 South
11.7 mi · 11%
Mound Road
6.21 mi · 6%
Disabled American Veterans Memorial Highway
5.79 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

I 94 West

Merge slight left onto I 94 West: Chicago

28.8 mi · 00h 31m

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
02h 02m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.2 mi
72.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Northfield
01h 01m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
2:24 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Chance Rain Showers leaving Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Jefferson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 102.3 miles (164.6 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?

Northfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 51.1 miles from Sterling Heights and 51.2 miles from Jefferson.

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

The direct path is about 72.1 miles (116 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 2:24 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.61 one way or $27.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Patchy Frost then Chance Rain Showers around Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Jefferson.

Stop Ideas Near Northfield

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

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

RAIL

Ann Arbor station

6 mi away
325 Depot Street
RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

40 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

43 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Pontiac Transportation Center

48 mi away
51000 Woodward Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Jefferson. Straight-line distance: 72.1 mi (116.04 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

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

#2 Jefferson

City in Jackson County, Georgia, United States

Population2,998
Coordinates42.1089300, -84.2899500
Altitude304
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Jefferson (-84.28995, 42.10893)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 165 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.61 gal
13.67 L · about $13.61
Round trip
$27.23
7.22 gal · 27.34 L
Estimated CO2
32.1 kg one way
Round trip: 64.2 kg / 142 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $13.61 $27.23
Mid-grade $4.25 $15.35 $30.71
Premium $4.65 $16.80 $33.60
Diesel $5.30 $19.15 $38.29

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Jefferson. The current time is 20:38:12.

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.