How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Suttons Bay, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Suttons Bay, MI is about 259 miles (416.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 211 miles (339.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 09m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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 05h 04m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Arenac County, Michigan, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Suttons Bay.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Suttons Bay.
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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
52.4 mi · 56 min
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10
Keep slight left
62.9 mi · 1 hr 3 min
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11
Keep slight left
27.2 mi · 27 min
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12
Take the exit slight left toward I 75 Business Loop, M 72: Downtown Grayling, Traverse City
1.8 mi · 4 min
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13
Turn left
24.4 mi · 34 min
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Cedar Street
2 mi · 4 min · South Cedar Street
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15
Turn left onto West Mile Road Northwest
1.6 km · 2 min · West Mile Road Northwest
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16
Continue on M-72 West
7.7 mi · 11 min · M-72 West
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17
Continue on East M 72
7.2 mi · 10 min · East M 72
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East M 72
36 m · 2 sec · East M 72
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19
Exit the roundabout onto East M 72
2312 ft · 46 sec · East M 72
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East M 72
27 m · 4 sec · East M 72
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21
Exit the roundabout onto East M 72
1.2 km · 1 min · East M 72
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22
Turn left onto US 31 North
3.8 mi · 6 min · US 31 North
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23
Continue on Munson Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Munson Avenue
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24
Turn left onto East Eighth Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · East Eighth Street
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25
Turn right onto South Union Street
2323 ft · 57 sec · South Union Street
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26
Turn left onto West Grandview Parkway
1.1 mi · 3 min · West Grandview Parkway
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27
Continue on South West Bay Shore Drive
14.8 mi · 21 min · South West Bay Shore Drive
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28
Continue on North Saint Josephs Avenue
135 m · 14 sec · North Saint Josephs Avenue
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29
Turn right onto East Madison Street
51 m · 10 sec · East Madison Street
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30
Turn left onto North Front Street
103 m · 15 sec · North Front Street
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Front Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Suttons Bay.
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
62.9 mi · 01h 03m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny near Suttons Bay.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Suttons Bay?
The road trip is about 259 miles (416.9 km) and usually takes 05h 04m 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?
Sterling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.4 miles from Sterling Heights and 129.7 miles from Suttons Bay.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 211 miles (339.5 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 EST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:50 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.66 one way or $79.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Sterling Heights and Mostly Sunny near Suttons Bay.
Stop Ideas Near Sterling
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 Sterling.
Tawas City, MI
Bay City, MI
Saginaw, MI
Cadillac, Michigan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Suttons Bay. Straight-line distance: 210.93 mi (339.46 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 Suttons Bay
Human settlement in Leelanau County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 617 |
| Coordinates | 44.9766700, -85.6506400 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
End: Suttons Bay (-85.65064, 44.97667)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 417 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.34 | $39.66 | $79.32 |
| Mid-grade | $5.02 | $45.89 | $91.78 |
| Premium | $5.62 | $51.35 | $102.70 |
| Diesel | $6.61 | $60.40 | $120.79 |
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 · Nov 06, 2026