How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Southgate, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Southgate, MI is about 35 miles (56.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.7 miles (42.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 48m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Michigan
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Southgate.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Southgate.
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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 left to continue on Fisher Freeway
7 mi · 8 min · Fisher Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Dix Highway
2083 ft · 49 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Dix Highway
1.3 mi · 3 min · Dix Highway
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15
Continue on Dix-Toledo Highway
2883 ft · 1 min · Dix-Toledo Highway
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16
Turn slight right
133 m · 18 sec
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17
Turn right onto Northline Road
82 m · 8 sec · Northline Road
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18
Turn left onto Dix-Toledo Highway
45 m · 7 sec · Dix-Toledo Highway
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dix-Toledo Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Southgate.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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 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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Sterling Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms near Southgate.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Southgate?
The road trip is about 35 miles (56.4 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?
Hamtramck is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.5 miles from Sterling Heights and 17.5 miles from Southgate.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.7 miles (42.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 4:52 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.68 one way or $9.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Sterling Heights and Showers And Thunderstorms near Southgate.
Stop Ideas Near Hamtramck
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 Hamtramck.
Detroit
Royal Oak station
John D. Dingell Transit Center
Greenfield Village, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Southgate. Straight-line distance: 26.66 mi (42.9 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 Southgate
City in Wayne County in the state of Michigan
| Population | 29,135 |
| Coordinates | 42.2139300, -83.1938100 |
| Altitude | 180 |
| Country | United States |
End: Southgate (-83.19381, 42.21393)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $4.68 | $9.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $5.27 | $10.55 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $5.77 | $11.54 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $6.58 | $13.15 |
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 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.