How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Lake Isabella, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Lake Isabella, MI is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 15m 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 07m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Village in Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Patchy Fog
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Lake Isabella.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Lake Isabella.
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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
51.3 mi · 55 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 10 West: Midland
1046 ft · 36 sec
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11
Continue straight
11.3 mi · 11 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 10 Business, M 20: Downtown Midland
2.6 mi · 3 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
14 m · 3 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
1.8 mi · 4 min
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15
Turn left onto Jerome Street
1241 ft · 34 sec · Jerome Street
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16
Continue on Fitzhugh Street
952 ft · 21 sec · Fitzhugh Street
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17
Continue on Isabella Street
3 mi · 4 min · Isabella Street
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18
Continue on Isabella Road
14.9 mi · 20 min · Isabella Road
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19
Continue on East Pickard Road
6 mi · 8 min · East Pickard Road
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20
Turn right onto South Summerton Road
2723 ft · 48 sec · South Summerton Road
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto East Airport Road
1 mi · 1 min · East Airport Road
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22
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Isabella Road
2648 ft · 46 sec · South Isabella Road
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23
Turn left onto East River Road
2035 ft · 32 sec · East River Road
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24
Continue on East River Road
1108 ft · 18 sec · East River Road
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25
Continue on East River Road
2755 ft · 44 sec · East River Road
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26
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Mission Road
1210 ft · 21 sec · South Mission Road
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27
Turn slight left onto Craig Hill Road
592 ft · 22 sec · Craig Hill Road
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28
Turn left onto East River Road
11 mi · 17 min · East River Road
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29
Turn right onto South Coldwater Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Coldwater Road
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30
Turn left onto North Clubhouse Drive
2471 ft · 2 min · North Clubhouse Drive
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Clubhouse Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Lake Isabella.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 75
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw
51.3 mi · 00h 55m
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 Patchy Fog near Lake Isabella.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Lake Isabella?
The road trip is about 155.2 miles (249.8 km) and usually takes 03h 07m 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?
Birch Run is a useful midpoint, sitting about 77.5 miles from Sterling Heights and 77.7 miles from Lake Isabella.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.5 miles (198.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.7 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 10:44 AM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.67 one way or $41.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Sterling Heights and Patchy Fog near Lake Isabella.
Stop Ideas Near Birch Run
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 Birch Run.
Saginaw, MI
Flint station
Bay City, MI
Durand Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Lake Isabella. Straight-line distance: 123.45 mi (198.68 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 Lake Isabella
Village in Michigan, United States
| Population | 1,688 |
| Coordinates | 43.6436400, -84.9972500 |
| Altitude | 272 |
| Country | United States |
End: Lake Isabella (-84.99725, 43.64364)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 250 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $20.67 | $41.33 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.31 | $46.61 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $25.50 | $51.01 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $29.07 | $58.13 |
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.