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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Mancelona, MI is about 222.6 miles (358.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 189.8 miles (305.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
222.56 mi
04h 13m
Flight
189.75 mi
305.38 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Sterling Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
189.75 mi
Kilometers
305.38 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
222.56 mi
Kilometers
358.18 km
Drive Time
04h 13m

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 04h 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mancelona
Sat, Apr 18, 9:10 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Sat, Apr 18, 1:23 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-04-18T04:57
Arrive Mancelona
Sat, Apr 18, 9:10 AM EDT
Route Timing
04h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:13 AM to 12:13 PM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:34 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Sterling Heights
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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
Beaver
MI

Township in Newaygo County, Michigan

From Sterling Heights
111.2 mi
02h 06m
To Mancelona
111.3 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph SSW
Destination
56°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
15 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Mound Road

    3.2 mi · 5 min · Mound Road

  3. 3

    Continue on Mound Road

    784 ft · 24 sec · Mound Road

  4. 4

    Turn right onto M-59 Service Drive

    996 ft · 24 sec · M-59 Service Drive

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward M 59 West

    1742 ft · 43 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    9.1 mi · 10 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75 North: Flint

    2907 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    32.8 mi · 35 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw

    52.4 mi · 56 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left

    27.2 mi · 27 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City

    1.8 mi · 4 min

  13. 13

    Turn left

    17.6 mi · 25 min

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Sigma Road Southeast

    2 mi · 4 min · Sigma Road Southeast

  15. 15

    Continue on Darragh Road Northeast

    10.8 mi · 19 min · Darragh Road Northeast

  16. 16

    Continue on South Maple Street

    2306 ft · 46 sec · South Maple Street

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto South Williams Street

    76 m · 6 sec · South Williams Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Williams Street

Car Route Details

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

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
18 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75
143 mi · 64%
I 75 North
33.4 mi · 15%
Darragh Road Northeast
10.8 mi · 5%
M 59 West
9.48 mi · 4%
Mound Road
3.4 mi · 2%
Sigma Road Southeast
2.01 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 75

Keep slight left

62.9 mi · 01h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.8 mi
189.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Beaver
02h 06m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
8:34 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Sterling Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms near Mancelona.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 222.6 miles (358.2 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?

Beaver is a useful midpoint, sitting about 111.2 miles from Sterling Heights and 111.3 miles from Mancelona.

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

The direct path is about 189.8 miles (305.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.8 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 8:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:34 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.60 one way or $59.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Sterling Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms near Mancelona.

Stop Ideas Near Beaver

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Beaver and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old City Hall
Food stop 12.9 mi away

Old City Hall

Bay City , MI
814 Saginaw St, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 4.5/5 660 reviews Fine dining restaurant,Bar,Restaurant
Bay City Hall
Meeting point 13.2 mi away

Bay City Hall

Bay City , MI
301 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI 48708
Rating 3.7/5 14 reviews City government office

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Beaver.

BUS

Bay City, MI

19 mi away
1124 Washington Avenue
BUS

Saginaw, MI

33 mi away
511 Johnson Street
BUS

Tawas City, MI

74 mi away
1020 West Lake Street
BUS

Owosso, MI

80 mi away
109 Comstock Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Mancelona. Straight-line distance: 189.75 mi (305.38 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

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

#2 Mancelona

Village in Antrim County, Michigan, United States of America

Population1,375
Coordinates44.9022300, -85.0608800
Altitude343
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Mancelona (-85.06088, 44.90223)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 358 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 24m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 33m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 46m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.85 gal
29.73 L · about $29.60
Round trip
$59.20
15.7 gal · 59.46 L
Estimated CO2
69.8 kg one way
Round trip: 139.5 kg / 308 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.60 $59.20
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.39 $66.77
Premium $4.65 $36.53 $73.07
Diesel $5.30 $41.64 $83.27

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Sterling Heights and Mancelona. The current time is 04:57:42.

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.