How far is Three Oaks, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?

The driving distance from Three Oaks, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 223.3 miles (359.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 191.1 miles (307.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
223.26 mi
03h 35m
Flight
191.07 mi
307.49 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Three Oaks.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
191.07 mi
Kilometers
307.49 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
223.26 mi
Kilometers
359.31 km
Drive Time
03h 35m

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 03h 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Thu, Apr 23, 4:01 AM EDT
Return by in Three Oaks
Thu, Apr 23, 7:36 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Three Oaks
2026-04-23T00:26
Arrive Sterling Heights
Thu, Apr 23, 4:01 AM EDT
Route Timing
03h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:35 AM to 11:35 AM EDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:50 AM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Three Oaks
9:00 PM EDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Marengo
MI

Township in Calhoun County, Michigan

From Three Oaks
113.3 mi
01h 47m
To Sterling Heights
109.9 mi
01h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
78°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 to 15 mph S
Destination
77°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Three Oaks and Sterling Heights.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Three Oaks and Sterling Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on South Elm Street

    20 m · 10 sec · South Elm Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Ash Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · West Ash Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Pulaski Highway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Pulaski Highway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Basswood Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · South Basswood Road

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Elm Valley Road

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Elm Valley Road

  6. 6

    Continue on Union Pier Road

    547 ft · 10 sec · Union Pier Road

  7. 7

    Take the ramp right

    1010 ft · 25 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    26.9 mi · 29 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit

    137.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14: Plymouth

    4.7 mi · 5 min

  11. 11

    Keep right to continue on M 14 East, US 23 South: Plymouth

    2.4 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Keep slight left to continue on M 14 East: Plymouth, Livonia

    15.1 mi · 16 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    9.2 mi · 10 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on Jeffries Freeway (Express)

    5.3 mi · 6 min · Jeffries Freeway (Express)

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Davison Avenue

    1519 ft · 37 sec

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 5 min

  17. 17

    Continue on Davison Freeway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Davison Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward I 75: Flint, Toledo

    2332 ft · 56 sec

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    2346 ft · 56 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    4.6 mi · 5 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward I 696: Lansing, Port Huron

    1036 ft · 25 sec

  22. 22

    Keep slight right to continue on I-75 North to I-696 East

    2136 ft · 52 sec · I-75 North to I-696 East

  23. 23

    Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road

    1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East

  25. 25

    Keep slight left to continue on I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · I-696 East to Northbound Mound Road

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto Mound Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road

  27. 27

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  28. 28

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Three Oaks and Sterling Heights.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
28 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94
137 mi · 62%
Union Pier Road
27.2 mi · 12%
M 14 East
26.7 mi · 12%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 3%
Jeffries Freeway (Express)
5.32 mi · 2%
M 14
4.69 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 94

Keep slight left to continue on I 94: Detroit

137 mi · 02h 27m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 35m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 10m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+32.2 mi
191.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Marengo
01h 47m from Three Oaks
Leave By
9:50 AM EDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Three Oaks and Sunny near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Three Oaks to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 223.3 miles (359.3 km) and usually takes 03h 35m 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?

Marengo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.3 miles from Three Oaks and 109.9 miles from Sterling Heights.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 191.1 miles (307.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 32.2 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 EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.72 one way or $59.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Three Oaks and Sunny near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Marengo

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Marengo, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Marengo.

RAIL

Albion station

8 mi away
300 North Eaton St.
RAIL

Battle Creek Transportation Center

28 mi away
104 Capital Ave. S.W.
RAIL

Jackson station

37 mi away
501 E. Michigan Ave.
RAIL

East Lansing station

58 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Three Oaks and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 191.07 mi (307.49 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Three Oaks

Township in Berrien County, Michigan

Population1,540
Coordinates41.7986500, -86.6105800
Altitude211
CountryUnited States
Sterling Heights

#2 Sterling Heights

The second most populous city in Macomb County, Michigan.

Population131,709
Coordinates42.5803100, -83.0302000
Altitude187
CountryUnited States
Start: South Elm Street (-86.610466, 41.798649)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 359 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 11m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.88 gal
29.82 L · about $29.72
Round trip
$59.43
15.76 gal · 59.64 L
Estimated CO2
70 kg one way
Round trip: 140.1 kg / 309 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $29.72 $59.43
Mid-grade $4.25 $33.51 $67.03
Premium $4.65 $36.67 $73.35
Diesel $5.30 $41.80 $83.59

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Three Oaks and Sterling Heights. The current time is 00:26:05.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.