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

The driving distance from Ypsilanti, MI to Sterling Heights, MI is about 53.9 miles (86.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
53.9 mi
01h 00m
Flight
37.85 mi
60.92 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ypsilanti.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.85 mi
Kilometers
60.92 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
53.9 mi
Kilometers
86.74 km
Drive Time
01h 00m

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 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Sterling Heights
Wed, Apr 15, 10:45 PM EDT
Return by in Ypsilanti
Wed, Apr 15, 11:45 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ypsilanti
2026-04-15T21:44
Arrive Sterling Heights
Wed, Apr 15, 10:45 PM EDT
Route Timing
01h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:30 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ypsilanti
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

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
Dearborn
MI

The most populous city in Wayne County, Michigan.

From Ypsilanti
26.9 mi
00h 30m
To Sterling Heights
27 mi
00h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 11:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 mph SW
Destination
64°F
Overnight

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Michigan Avenue

    1222 ft · 46 sec · West Michigan Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Hamilton Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · South Hamilton Street

  3. 3

    Continue on South Huron Street

    709 ft · 15 sec · South Huron Street

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 94 East: Detroit

    962 ft · 23 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    32.6 mi · 37 min

  6. 6

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

    92 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on I 75 North: Flint

    2575 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

    7.8 mi · 9 min · North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway

  9. 9

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

    1036 ft · 25 sec

  10. 10

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

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

  11. 11

    Continue on Walter P Reuther Freeway

    3.1 mi · 3 min · Walter P Reuther Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Mound Road

    1569 ft · 38 sec · I-696 East

  13. 13

    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

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto Mound Road

    5.9 mi · 9 min · Mound Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto 17 Mile Road

    1.6 km · 2 min · 17 Mile Road

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 17 Mile Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ypsilanti 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
16 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
29.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 94 East
32.8 mi · 61%
North Walter P. Chrysler Freeway
7.84 mi · 15%
Mound Road
6.02 mi · 11%
Walter P Reuther Freeway
3.08 mi · 6%
17 Mile Road
1 mi · 2%
South Hamilton Street
0.8 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 94 East

Merge slight left

32.6 mi · 00h 37m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 00m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+16.1 mi
37.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dearborn
00h 30m from Ypsilanti
Leave By
4:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ypsilanti and Showers And Thunderstorms near Sterling Heights.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 53.9 miles (86.7 km) and usually takes 01h 00m 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?

Dearborn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.9 miles from Ypsilanti and 27 miles from Sterling Heights.

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

The direct path is about 37.8 miles (60.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.1 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 4:30 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.16 one way or $14.33 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Ypsilanti and Showers And Thunderstorms near Sterling Heights.

Stop Ideas Near Dearborn

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

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

RAIL

John D. Dingell Transit Center

2 mi away
16121 Michigan Ave.
RAIL

Greenfield Village, Michigan

6 mi away
20900 Oakwood Blvd.
RAIL

Detroit

10 mi away
11 West Baltimore Ave.
RAIL

Royal Oak station

19 mi away
202 South Sherman Ave.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ypsilanti and Sterling Heights. Straight-line distance: 37.85 mi (60.92 km).

Ypsilanti

#1 Ypsilanti

City in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States

Population19,940
Coordinates42.2411500, -83.6129900
Altitude219
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: West Michigan Avenue (-83.612988, 42.24108)
End: 17 Mile Road (-83.030204, 42.580347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 87 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 53m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 46m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 40m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.9 gal
7.2 L · about $7.16
Round trip
$14.33
3.8 gal · 14.4 L
Estimated CO2
16.9 kg one way
Round trip: 33.8 kg / 75 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.77 $7.16 $14.33
Mid-grade $4.25 $8.08 $16.16
Premium $4.65 $8.84 $17.69
Diesel $5.30 $10.08 $20.16

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Ypsilanti and Sterling Heights. The current time is 21:44:46.

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.