How far is Sterling Heights, MI from River Rouge, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to River Rouge, MI is about 29.4 miles (47.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 21.9 miles (35.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 44m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Oakland County, Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and River Rouge.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and River Rouge.
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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
92 m · 5 sec · Mound Road
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3
Continue on Mound Road
6 mi · 10 min · Mound Road
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4
Keep slight left to continue on Mound Road
953 ft · 16 sec · Mound Road
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron
1445 ft · 35 sec
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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
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7
Merge slight left onto Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.2 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 South, I 75 North: Detroit, Flint
1011 ft · 25 sec
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9
Keep slight left to continue on I-696 West to I-75 South
2553 ft · 1 min · I-696 West to I-75 South
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10
Merge slight left onto South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
9.7 mi · 11 min · South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 75: Toledo
4.2 mi · 6 min
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Gordie Howe International Bridge
1.3 km · 52 sec
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13
Keep slight left
2341 ft · 30 sec
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14
Turn right
759 ft · 56 sec
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Green Street Relocated
1404 ft · 51 sec · Green Street Relocated
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Jefferson Avenue West
2.1 mi · 5 min · Jefferson Avenue West
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17
Turn right onto Coolidge Highway
5 m · 1 sec · Coolidge Highway
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Coolidge Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and River Rouge.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge slight left onto South Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
9.74 mi · 00h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Mostly Clear near River Rouge.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to River Rouge?
The road trip is about 29.4 miles (47.3 km) and usually takes 00h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hazel Park is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.7 miles from Sterling Heights and 14.7 miles from River Rouge.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 21.9 miles (35.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.92 one way or $7.84 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling Heights and Mostly Clear near River Rouge.
Stop Ideas Near Hazel Park
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 Hazel Park.
Royal Oak station
Troy Transit Center
Detroit
Birmingham, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and River Rouge. Straight-line distance: 21.86 mi (35.18 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 River Rouge
City in Michigan
| Population | 7,369 |
| Coordinates | 42.2733700, -83.1343700 |
| Altitude | 178 |
| Country | United States |
End: River Rouge (-83.13437, 42.27337)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $3.92 | $7.84 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $4.42 | $8.85 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $4.84 | $9.68 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $5.52 | $11.03 |
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 28, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.