How far is Sterling Heights, MI from Waverly, MI?
The driving distance from Sterling Heights, MI to Waverly, MI is about 97.6 miles (157 km), with a travel time of about 01h 53m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 46m 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 01h 53m.
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.
Suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling Heights and Waverly.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling Heights and Waverly.
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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
21.8 mi · 23 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway
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8
Merge slight right
17.9 mi · 19 min
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9
Keep slight left
38.9 mi · 42 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 496, US 127 North: Downtown Lansing
1.1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Ransom E Olds Freeway
2.8 mi · 3 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Ransom E Olds Freeway
4.7 mi · 5 min · Ransom E Olds Freeway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Waverly Road
2276 ft · 60 sec
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14
Turn right onto South Waverly Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · South Waverly Road
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15
Turn left onto West Saginaw Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · West Saginaw Highway
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16
Turn left onto Elmwood Drive
590 ft · 22 sec · Elmwood Drive
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17
Turn left onto Dornet Drive
108 m · 16 sec · Dornet Drive
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dornet Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling Heights and Waverly.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Walter P Reuther Freeway
Keep slight left
38.9 mi · 00h 42m
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.
Sunny leaving Sterling Heights and Sunny near Waverly.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling Heights to Waverly?
The road trip is about 97.6 miles (157 km) and usually takes 01h 53m 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?
Brighton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Sterling Heights and 48.8 miles from Waverly.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 81.6 miles (131.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16 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 2:44 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.97 one way or $25.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling Heights and Sunny near Waverly.
Stop Ideas Near Brighton
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 Brighton.
Ann Arbor station
Pontiac Transportation Center
Durand Union Station
Troy Transit Center
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling Heights and Waverly. Straight-line distance: 81.56 mi (131.26 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 Waverly
City in Bremer County, Iowa, United States
| Population | 2,537 |
| Coordinates | 42.7392000, -84.6208100 |
| Altitude | 262 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waverly (-84.62081, 42.7392)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $12.97 | $25.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $14.63 | $29.26 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $16.01 | $32.02 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $18.25 | $36.49 |
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 04, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.