How far is Suttons Bay, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance from Suttons Bay, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 261.2 miles (420.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 211 miles (339.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 40m 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 04h 20m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Suttons Bay and Sterling Heights.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Suttons Bay and Sterling Heights.
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1
Start on North Front Street
103 m · 16 sec · North Front Street
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2
Turn right onto East Madison Street
51 m · 12 sec · East Madison Street
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3
Turn left onto North Saint Josephs Avenue
135 m · 15 sec · North Saint Josephs Avenue
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4
Continue on South West Bay Shore Drive
14.8 mi · 21 min · South West Bay Shore Drive
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5
Turn slight left onto South West Bay Shore Drive
29 m · 6 sec · South West Bay Shore Drive
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6
Turn left onto West Grandview Parkway
1.2 mi · 3 min · West Grandview Parkway
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7
Turn right onto North Union Street
2323 ft · 58 sec · North Union Street
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8
Turn left onto East Eighth Street
2.2 mi · 4 min · East Eighth Street
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9
Turn right onto Munson Avenue
1.2 mi · 2 min · Munson Avenue
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10
Continue on US 31 North
3.8 mi · 6 min · US 31 North
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11
Turn right onto East M 72
1.2 km · 1 min · East M 72
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East M 72
35 m · 5 sec · East M 72
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13
Exit the roundabout onto East M 72
2295 ft · 36 sec · East M 72
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward East M 72
35 m · 1 sec · East M 72
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15
Exit the roundabout onto East M 72
7.2 mi · 10 min · East M 72
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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 West Mile Road Northwest
1.6 km · 2 min · West Mile Road Northwest
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18
Turn right onto North Cedar Street
2 mi · 4 min · North Cedar Street
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19
Turn left onto M-72 West
23.3 mi · 32 min · M-72 West
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20
Continue straight
1.1 mi · 2 min
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21
Turn right onto North James Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North James Street
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22
Take the exit straight toward I 75 South
4.2 mi · 5 min
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23
Keep slight left to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124.2 mi · 2 hr 7 min
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24
Keep slight left
11 mi · 12 min
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25
Keep slight left
36.8 mi · 39 min
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26
Take the exit slight right toward M 59 East: Utica
1392 ft · 47 sec
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27
Merge slight left
9.6 mi · 10 min
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28
Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road, Merrill Road
1449 ft · 35 sec
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29
Continue on Dobry Drive
1046 ft · 26 sec · Dobry Drive
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30
Turn right onto Mound Road
3.3 mi · 5 min · Mound Road
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31
Continue on Mound Road
1212 ft · 36 sec · Mound Road
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32
Turn right onto 17 Mile Road
1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Suttons Bay and Sterling Heights.
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 to continue on I 75: Saginaw, Detroit
124 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Suttons Bay and Partly Sunny near Sterling Heights.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Suttons Bay to Sterling Heights?
The road trip is about 261.2 miles (420.4 km) and usually takes 04h 20m 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 129.6 miles from Suttons Bay and 131.6 miles from Sterling Heights.
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 50.2 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 8:20 AM EST.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $40.01 one way or $80.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Suttons Bay and Partly Sunny near Sterling Heights.
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 Suttons Bay and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 210.93 mi (339.46 km).
#1 Suttons Bay
Human settlement in Leelanau County, Michigan, United States of America
| Population | 617 |
| Coordinates | 44.9766700, -85.6506400 |
| Altitude | 182 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling Heights
The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.
| Population | 131,709 |
| Coordinates | 42.5803100, -83.0302000 |
| Altitude | 187 |
| Country | United States |
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 420 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.34 | $40.01 | $80.01 |
| Mid-grade | $5.02 | $46.29 | $92.59 |
| Premium | $5.62 | $51.80 | $103.60 |
| Diesel | $6.61 | $60.93 | $121.85 |
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