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

The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Rudyard, MI is about 312 miles (502.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 28m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 264 miles (424.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 56m 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
311.97 mi
05h 28m
Flight
263.96 mi
424.8 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
263.96 mi
Kilometers
424.8 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
311.97 mi
Kilometers
502.06 km
Drive Time
05h 28m

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 05h 28m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rudyard
Wed, May 13, 3:11 AM EDT
Return by in Sterling Heights
Wed, May 13, 8:39 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Sterling Heights
2026-05-12T21:43
Arrive Rudyard
Wed, May 13, 3:11 AM EDT
Route Timing
05h 28m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:28 AM to 1:28 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
6:04 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
Saint Helen
MI

Human settlement in Roscommon County, Michigan, United States of America

From Sterling Heights
156 mi
02h 44m
To Rudyard
156 mi
02h 44m

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
52°F
Tuesday

Rain

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    146.7 mi · 2 hr 30 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward M 48: Rudyard, Pickford

    1802 ft · 50 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto West M 48 Business Spur

    1.7 mi · 2 min · West M 48 Business Spur

  14. 14

    Turn right onto South Mackinac Trail

    742 ft · 21 sec · South Mackinac Trail

  15. 15

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    2003 ft · 42 sec · West Main Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Elliott Street

    7 m · 1 sec · South Elliott Street

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Elliott Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
17 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 75
262 mi · 84%
I 75 North
33.4 mi · 11%
M 59 West
9.48 mi · 3%
Mound Road
3.4 mi · 1%
West M 48 Business Spur
1.66 mi · 1%
17 Mile Road
1 mi
Longest Stretch

I 75

Keep slight left

147 mi · 02h 30m

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
05h 28m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48 mi
264 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Helen
02h 44m from Sterling Heights
Leave By
6:04 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Patchy Frost then Chance Rain Showers leaving Sterling Heights and Rain near Rudyard.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 312 miles (502.1 km) and usually takes 05h 28m 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?

Saint Helen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 156 miles from Sterling Heights and 156 miles from Rudyard.

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

The direct path is about 264 miles (424.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 48 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 6:04 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.52 one way or $83.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Saint Helen

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

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

BUS

Tawas City, MI

71 mi away
1020 West Lake Street
BUS

Manton, Michigan

77 mi away
Junction U.S. 131 & M-42
BUS

Cadillac, Michigan

80 mi away
1202 North Mitchell St.
BUS

Kingsley, Michigan

93 mi away
119 E. Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Rudyard. Straight-line distance: 263.96 mi (424.8 km).

Sterling Heights

#1 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Rudyard

Township in Chippewa County, Michigan

Population1,332
Coordinates46.2325200, -84.6003300
Altitude209
CountryUnited States
Start: Sterling Heights (-83.0302, 42.58031)
End: Rudyard (-84.60033, 46.23252)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 502 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 23m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 14m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 11m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.01 gal
41.67 L · about $41.52
Round trip
$83.04
22.02 gal · 83.34 L
Estimated CO2
97.8 kg one way
Round trip: 195.7 kg / 431 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $41.52 $83.04
Mid-grade $4.25 $46.83 $93.65
Premium $4.65 $51.24 $102.48
Diesel $5.30 $58.40 $116.79

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 Rudyard. The current time is 21:43:00.

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.