How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Sylvan Lake, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Sylvan Lake, MI is about 19.8 miles (31.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 15.3 miles (24.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m 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 30m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
A city in Oakland County, Michigan.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Snow Showers
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Sylvan Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Sylvan Lake.
-
1
Start on 17 Mile Road
2 mi · 4 min · 17 Mile Road
-
2
Turn left onto Ryan Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Ryan Road
-
3
Turn right onto Metropolitan Parkway
1.5 km · 1 min · Metropolitan Parkway
-
4
Continue on East Big Beaver Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · East Big Beaver Road
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 75 North: Flint
2139 ft · 52 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
5.6 mi · 6 min · Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 75 Business: Square Lake Road
2.4 mi · 4 min
-
8
Continue on West Square Lake Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · West Square Lake Road
-
9
Merge slight left onto South Telegraph Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · South Telegraph Road
-
10
Take the exit straight
741 ft · 18 sec
-
11
Continue on Old Telegraph Road
1128 ft · 35 sec · Old Telegraph Road
-
12
Turn left onto Orchard Lake Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Orchard Lake Road
-
13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Orchard Lake Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Sylvan Lake.
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.
Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
Merge slight left onto Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
5.56 mi · 00h 06m
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.
Chance Snow Showers leaving Sterling Heights and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Sylvan Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Sylvan Lake?
The road trip is about 19.8 miles (31.8 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Rochester Hills is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.9 miles from Sterling Heights and 9.9 miles from Sylvan Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 15.3 miles (24.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 7:30 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.64 one way or $5.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Sterling Heights and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Sylvan Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Rochester Hills
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 Rochester Hills.
Pontiac Transportation Center
Troy Transit Center
Birmingham, Michigan
Royal Oak station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Sylvan Lake. Straight-line distance: 15.33 mi (24.67 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 Sylvan Lake
Human settlement in Oakland County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 1,840 |
| Coordinates | 42.6114200, -83.3285500 |
| Altitude | 292 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sylvan Lake (-83.32855, 42.61142)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 32 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $2.64 | $5.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $2.98 | $5.95 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $3.26 | $6.52 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $3.71 | $7.43 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.