How far is Union, MI from Sterling Heights, MI?

The driving distance from Union, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 194.5 miles (313 km), with a travel time of about 03h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 155.3 miles (249.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 26m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST.
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
194.49 mi
03h 13m
Flight
155.29 mi
249.91 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Union.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
155.29 mi
Kilometers
249.91 km
Flight Time
00h 18m

Driving Distance

Road route
194.49 mi
Kilometers
313 km
Drive Time
03h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Fri, Nov 6, 1:28 PM EST
Return by in Union
Fri, Nov 6, 4:41 PM EST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Union
2026-11-06T10:15
Arrive Sterling Heights
Fri, Nov 6, 1:28 PM EST
Route Timing
03h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM EST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:13 AM to 11:13 AM EST

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

Leave by
10:34 AM EST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Union
9:00 PM EST
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
Parma
MI

Human settlement in Jackson County, Michigan, United States of America

From Union
97.1 mi
01h 36m
To Sterling Heights
97.4 mi
01h 36m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
37°F
Overnight

Scattered Rain Showers

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 4:00 AM EST
Wind
5 mph N
Destination
50°F
Friday

Chance Light Rain

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM EST
Wind
7 to 10 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Union and Sterling Heights.

  1. 1

    Start on US-12

    6.1 mi · 8 min · US-12

  2. 2

    Continue on West Chicago Road

    1444 ft · 32 sec · West Chicago Road

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto West Chicago Road

    1113 ft · 28 sec · West Chicago Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Riverside Drive

    4.6 mi · 6 min · Riverside Drive

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Constantine Bypass

    3.1 mi · 4 min · Constantine Bypass

  6. 6

    Continue on US-131

    16.6 mi · 19 min · US-131

  7. 7

    Continue on South Grand Street

    8.8 mi · 10 min · South Grand Street

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 94 East: Detroit

    1 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left

    96.8 mi · 1 hr 44 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 Union 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
14.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 East
97.4 mi · 50%
M 14 East
26.7 mi · 14%
US-131
16.6 mi · 9%
South Grand Street
8.77 mi · 5%
US-12
6.06 mi · 3%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

96.8 mi · 01h 44m

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 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+39.2 mi
155.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Parma
01h 36m from Union
Leave By
10:34 AM EST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Scattered Rain Showers leaving Union and Chance Light Rain near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Union to Sterling Heights?

The road trip is about 194.5 miles (313 km) and usually takes 03h 13m 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?

Parma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.1 miles from Union and 97.4 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 155.3 miles (249.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.2 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 10:34 AM EST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.21 one way or $60.42 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Scattered Rain Showers around Union and Chance Light Rain near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Parma

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Parma, 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 Parma.

RAIL

Albion station

13 mi away
300 North Eaton St.
RAIL

Jackson station

16 mi away
501 E. Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Battle Creek Transportation Center

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

East Lansing station

52 mi away
1240 South Harrison Road

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Union and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 155.29 mi (249.91 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Union

Township in Cass County, Michigan

Population440
Coordinates41.7861600, -85.8677800
Altitude248
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: US-12 (-85.867729, 41.786061)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 313 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 51m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 14m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 25m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.86 gal
25.98 L · about $30.21
Round trip
$60.42
13.72 gal · 51.96 L
Estimated CO2
61 kg one way
Round trip: 121.9 kg / 269 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.40 $30.21 $60.42
Mid-grade $5.08 $34.85 $69.70
Premium $5.68 $38.97 $77.94
Diesel $6.63 $45.47 $90.94

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 05, 2026

There is no time difference between Union and Sterling Heights. The current time is 10:15:04.

Distance to Other Cities

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